Flying the Jaguar GR1 & Tornado GR1 | John Grogan (In-Person Part 2)

Former RAF fighter pilot, John Grogan shares what it was like to fly the Jaguar GR1 and Tornado GR1 which includes some great stories.
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[@harveymushman8569]

I enjoyed that, thankyou John. However, I'm sad to say that having been an engineer on 27 Squadron in those first four years, seeing John was rare. Talking to or even hearing his thoughts, non-existent, and now listening to him, it would have been fantastic to have his thoughts as our squadron boss. We had to work harder to keep the Tornado airworthy than any other aircraft I ever worked on, including the Harrier. We worked all night, every 'back shift' to achieve the flying programme, working in the HAS was tough, temperature, lighting, access to tooling, getting hydraulic rigs and zero spares availability etc. was all hellish. I loved that squadron, the best of my time in the RAF. But we received almost zero appreciation from our aircrew. Maybe you should interview one of us to gain the other vital perspective. I would love to hear just one aircrew interviewee say something about not being able to do what they did without our hard work, commitment and determination. Keven Baines

[@Aircrewinterview]

Glad you enjoyed it. Happy to talk to ground crew if you want to come on the show.

[@Johnbg81327.]

Thank you for your comments Kevin. You are absolutely right in what you say and something I really regret. It only came to me after my tour that I should have spent much more time with you guys. Not excuses. Very sorry

[@harveymushman8569]

Thank you John, I understand the pressures on you back then. As I said 27 was the best time I had in the RAF. Keven

[@DD53DD74]

Spoken history, absolutely outstanding content. Keep it coming.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@Peter-or8oc]

In so proud to be British these guys are so down to earth also can you imagine if we had the budget of America no one could touch us like I said proud to be British and thank you for your service to the army , navy and air force last and present

[@matthayward7889]

Been looking forward to this! What a career.

[@NickBradin]

I was also posted to 101 Sqn as an Ops Clerk, which of course turned out to be 27 Sqn. This brought back some memories. While at Goose Bay one of my jobs was to plot two groups of caribou, one of which was to be overflown by Tornados while the other was to be avoided, I think to see if low flying would adversely affect them. I drove the boss back from the hospital at Goose Bay to the detachment after his Tornado went in. I remember he asked me to drive slowly and avoid any potholes. After we won the SAC bombing competition in 1985 I was offered a jolly in a Tornado with an ex Red Arrow, just fantastic. Probably my most favourite job, and Wng Cdr Grogan was a great boss..

[@Johnbg81327.]

I remember- you did a really good job!

[@mkmdexplorationparanormal5610]

What a lovely guy John is, really refreshing to hear his take on these iconic Cold War Aircraft, loved his stories and take on flying them, a very humble guy, love to hear more from him, great interview Mike and John 🙂👍👍

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers Mike

[@jetaddicted]

My pops went from the F-104 ASA to the Tornado ADV, he wasn’t too pleased, to say the least. I remember him saying that the latter had a number of technical issues, and did not deliver. He was very positive about the Starfighter, on the contrary.

[@Peter-or8oc]

The front profile of a tornado with a full load out look amazing it looked mean and ready for a fight

[@charlesmoss8119]

Utterly amazing to listen to - has done so much - inspiring for deed and humbleness.

[@marcusott2973]

Any stories about the Jaguar? No not really...😂😂

[@davidlindburg1921]

Great interview alright. The nuclear mission, pre-flight wakaround... at gunpoint, serious business!

[@markyoungman148]

@@davidlindburg1921 John is wrong here. Having done the same role myself, the RAF Police were not allowed inside the No Lone Zone within the HAS, where the aircraft and weapon(s) were. They were authorised to use lethal force against anyone attempting to force entry to the weapon system, not the crew.

[@ericmiddleton8367]

This was a special one. So many types and hours under his belt.

[@briankay4713]

What a great interviewee John is …great stories told with humour and knowledge … Flew all the RAF classics… and boy does he know his stuff … Fantastic work Mike …keep it up !!!!!!

[@thefrecklepuny]

Great follow-up. Sort of surprised the Jaguar and esp the Tornado struggled to go supersonic.

[@davidbrooks187]

I’ve spoken to numerous GR1 & GR4 pilots and they all completed the Tonka on it’s incredible low level speed, stating they would sit at 800 knots in at very low level in comfort with incredible handling & precision. Built for purpose as the Best cold war strike aircraft.

[@nervo6321]

Lovely down to earth guy who has plenty to be proud of…great interview thanks very much.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@rdaxthedog]

What a great bloke and a fantastic career

[@nigeh5326]

Just finished watching, and as always great interview Mike 👍 Thanks also to John Grogan for giving up your time to tell us of your life and career with the RAF. Wondered why I kept hearing so many motorcycle engines in the background. Then I saw you filmed at Elvington which is known for holding track day events.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@DAGO58]

So close to the 50k Mike! Congratulations for when it comes mate, it’s been fantastic watching the channel grow.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Thanks very much!

[@Pincer88]

Great episodes, both of them. Great guy too. Wouldn't it be fun to see if you can get them all together one day and exchange stories among themselves and just watch how that evolves? You've had so many great characters on this channel already. Would be nice to see them once again.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers and great to hear you enjoyed it. I have had a similar idea for many years now where I hire a venue, get 3/4 guests to speak for 15 mins each, a Q&A at the end, get your stuff signed, then all mingle and have some drinks and food.

[@Pincer88]

@@AircrewinterviewThat would be great for certain! I think if you have a few legendary storytellers on board, the rest will follow suit. And banter guaranteed! Can't remember the Scottish Tornado pilot (post-covid is a hoot), but he's a natural. Either way, you've got a great collection of remarkable people and stories built up over the years. Your channel is a gem on KZbin! Cheers and best of luck. Kind regards from the Netherlands.

[@thexpatplanner]

Great interview, that a nice humble guy.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@iainbradford4254]

Lovely collection of adventures:-) thanks guys

[@Aircrewinterview]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrWarwick15]

Thank you both. Excellent! Richard.

[@Ian-Saxon]

Fantastic flying career and fantastic interview. Cheers guys.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@bill8784]

That was a really fascinating interview. What an interesting mix of aircraft Cold War aircraft to have flown. Have to agree with the final comment about length of training today.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@markyoungman148]

My memory is different. Once squadrons were "declared" to NATO in the Strike role they were available to hold Strike QRA, and did. When at Laarbruch (85-90) the QRA commitment was 24/7, 365. I routinely held QRA twice a month, every month, during that time.

[@Johnbg81327.]

Well, you’re right in one way - I am a forgetful old git. But I definitely would not forget QRA. None of the three U.K. squadrons did QRA in my time. Just the Germany squadrons apparently. I don’t know why. Cheers

[@grahamtanner1066]

I _think_ that The Queen's Birthday Flypast was 1984, on 16th June. It would be nice to know (from his log-book) which aircraft he was in.

[@Johnbg81327.]

Correct. 16 June 1984. Tornado GR1 ZA 585. Navigator Sqn Ldr Pete Goodman.

[@diggledoggle4192]

A great interview. I was wondering whether you've been able to contact many pilots who have had careers on more obscure types, such as the Gloster Javelin or DH Venom, or combat veterans, perhaps from WW2 & onwards.

[@Aircrewinterview]

A Javelin pilot is certainly on my radar.

[@BillDunne-n6y]

I sponsored a Battle of Britain Blenheim Air gunner on d monument in London called Grogan original ally fro Wexford or Waterford Ireland just wondering if he's any relative.Great interview.

[@galingale5440]

The Jag carried the 30mm Aden cannon, John, not the Mauser. As you say, though, it was a good platform for gunnery and great fun.

[@Johnbg81327.]

Yes, of course, it was the Tornado that had the 27mm Mauser. Time and brain cells

[@raywhitehead730]

I used to work on those "moving maps" I thought no one remember ed them! USMC.

[@davidsmith8997]

Authorized to shoot anyone who damaged an aircraft? Blimey, that's serious shit! In a way, it's reassuring that nukes were that serious.

[@marcusott2973]

8 years to actually fly in the RAF, although it's a proven fact that the very young are the best fighter pilots...

[@paulybassman7311]

Imagine the jag with eurofighter engines.🤣💥🤣

[@omega19uk]

What happened to him after the RAF...did he go commercial, his he still flying GA

[@Aircrewinterview]

He went commercial