Tornado F3 in the Gulf! | Derek "Grinner" Smith (In-Person Part 1)

Former RAF Tornado F3 pilot, Derek “Grinner” Smith shares his experience of flying the F3 on operations in the Gulf, including living in tent city!
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Thanks to Ian Black for the photos included in this interview www.firestreakbooks.com/

[@davidbrooks187]

The F3 was a purpose built Cold War interceptor & was an absolute beast in that role.

[@waynetowers5046]

Well, it was a low level ground attack aircraft that done the job it was designed to do seriously well, they turned it into a stretched interceptor that it wasn't designed for. Albeit it did become a very good interceptor once ASRAAM, AMRAAM & Link 16 got installed, but the airframe was still a GR1/4. It would've been great if the RAF got the F-15 for their specifications for air defense & kept the Tornado purely for ground work.

[@davidbrooks187]

@@waynetowers5046 agreed however not to sure about the F15 requirement as this was the USAs task in that era against the Soviets. The tornado GR designation was designed & built during to the height of the Cold War for one task which was to go into Russia at high speed low level and drop bombs & munitions of all types. The Tonka F designation was designed to rapid reaction interception of Russian planes over Baltic air space & take them out from beyond visual range. They were not designed for air superiority but to do a bespoke task critical to maintaining western defences against Russia. For these critical roles they were both the best at what they were built for.

[@thefrecklepuny]

Read an article that a couple of USAF A-10's came under threat from Iraqi Mirages or possibly MiG's. The nearest fighters were apparently a couple of RAF Tornado F3's which chased them off. Dunno how true or otherwise that story is, though. Great interview as always.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers.

[@glhx2112]

Food at PSAB/Al's Garage was great. I was also one of those lucky USAF guys who got invited to the RAF Mess and wow, outstanding food ! (Sept - Dec 2001). Burger King, Green Bean Coffee, And there was a Chinese Takeaway that was very good. Can't remember if we had a Pizza joint or not. And I think Subway showed up at some point. 😁

[@Aircrewinterview]

Wow!

[@Ecthaelyon]

Excellent video, as always, thank you AI.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@Vincent-bt1qy]

Hey there! May I suggest another pilot for a future episode? His name is Heikki Mansikka, and flew the F/A-18 in the Finnish Air Force. He also recently wrote a book about his time flying the Hornet, unfortunately only in finnish. Would be great to have him on your show

[@jonnyjungle8096]

Another brilliant interview. Have really enjoyed all of the Grinner episodes. Look forward to more in the new year. Thanks guys👍🏽

[@Aircrewinterview]

Thank you. Keep an eye out at 1900 GMT tonight for part 2

[@jonnyjungle8096]

@@Aircrewinterview Brilliant, see you at 1900👍🏽👍🏽

[@philby27]

Yes, it was the green (flicking the) bean cafe. Did fantastic iced chai lattes.

[@marcusott2973]

Much awaited much appreciated looking forward to excellent insights as always.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Glad to hear it!

[@shirleydrury5565]

Thank you for this up load enjoyed 😊😊😊

[@Aircrewinterview]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Gunjob-Gaming]

It wasn't a modified Phimat, it was a modified BOZ-107 for the TRD. Hes probably confusing the fact you'd need the Phimat on the other outboard pylon to balance out the wing loading.

[@grinner2916]

I stand corrected. It was 20+ years ago and my memory couldn’t pluck that one out. Yes, I remember it being a Boz pod now.

[@Gunjob-Gaming]

@@grinner2916 No worries grinner, I read that manual section pretty recently.

[@formonthills]

Another cracking interview guys 😀 I remember doing the cctv for Fife Constabulary at the airshows at Leuchars - and we got passes for the mess to get our breakfast etc. It was amazing food and the staff were great. Was it called the Delta bar ? or something like that ? Thanks again

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers

[@Adam-Andrews-1725]

It was Green Beans Coffee

[@bambooshadow7015]

I watched a YT video featuring a Us Naval aviator. He was on an exchange trip and moved onto a Tornado OCU. In summary not a good dogfighting aircraft and generally slightly below par. Excellent at low level, as that was the role of the GR1 and the ADV was designed from that. Which was the problem. Should have bought F16 or F15.

[@mstevens113]

No need to dogfight intercepting Russian bombers over the North Sea. Which is what it was designed for.

[@bambooshadow7015]

@@mstevens113 it wasn't designed per se for that. The original design was the GR1( low level). They bodged and moded the hell out of it to produce the F2. Yes, lock on and fire from BVR. Military planning ethos, all ways plan for the worst/what ifs.

[@tonysmith897]

What's this Leeming rubbish, I went to the Gulf straight from Cyprus with 29(F) Sqn