The Panavia Tornado MRCA | When international collaboration goes right

The Panavia Tornado formed the backbone of the RAF for nearly 40 years of continuous front-line service. Originally designed during the Cold War to carry nuclear weapons, the Tornado served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya fielding laser-guided strategic weapons. Wherever the RAF was used, Tornados were on the front line.
In this episode of Duxford in Depth, events and experiences coordinator Liam Shaw takes us through the distinguished history of the Tornado from our GR1 'Foxy Killer' which flew more missions than any other RAF Tornado during Operation Granby in 1991, to our GR4 which served in Operation Ellamy in 2011 enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya. We take a look at the technology that made the Tornado one of the most advanced ground attack aircraft of its time and hear first-hand from the people that designed and flew it.
Join us for an all day event exploring the legacy of fighter aircraft and the lives of those who fly them. Former pilots Paul Tremelling and Mike Sutton will discuss their experiences flying the Harrier and the Typhoon, plus a chance to ask them your questions and a book signing. Book now: bit.ly/3N7Yk3e
Visit IWM Duxford: bit.ly/visit-duxford
See the full list of archive films used in this video, available for licensing and downloading: film.iwmcollections.org.uk/c/...
Subscribe to IWM's KZbin channel for new Duxford in Depth videos every month.
-- Video contents --
0:00 Intro
0:54 Design
2:45 Service overview
4:26 Tornado GR1 'Foxy Killer'
5:53 RB-199 engines
6:59 Variable-geometry wings
8:08 Tornado GR4 weapon fit
9:31 Crew
10:54 Retirement
Credits:
Tornado flying at IWM Duxford courtesy of PlanesTV
Tornado and Apache images Licensed under OGL v1.0
nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/o...
04a_Ellamy_Tornado by Sgt Pete Mobbs/MOD © Crown Copyright.
Ellamy-906-110602-0198-Out-Unc-0009 by SAC Sally Raimondo/MOD © Crown Copyright.
MNT-11-048-OUT-005 by Ed Marshall/MOD © Crown Copyright.
MNT-11-050-OUT-UNC-3234 by SAC Neil Chapman/MOD © Crown Copyright.
EAW906_11_0009_Out_Unc_0005 by Cpl Babbs Robinson/MOD © Crown Copyright.
MNT-11-050-OUT-UNC-2434 by SAC Neil Chapman/MOD © Crown Copyright.
20141103_ISIS_3 by Hall/MOD © Crown Copyright.
20121017-MWP-221-U-(PR)--Underslung loads-ALPC- 219 by Peter Davies/MOD © Crown Copyright.
45149174 by Graeme Main/MOD © Crown Copyright.
MAR-UNCLASS-20121012-1207-0181 by Corporal Mike Jones/MOD © Crown Copyright.
MAR-UNCLASS-20121012-1207-0129 by Corporal Mike Jones/MOD © Crown Copyright.

[@scottcunningham5065]

I was walking up a hill with a mate one day in the Borders of Scotland and the Tornado's were low flying out of a Glen over a Loch going round and rinse and repeat. We were well above them. Next thing we know one breaks off and heads up our Hill heading towards us. We were jumping up and down and waving like school kids.He went near vertical as he went past giving us a wave back with a flick of the wings. Great moment i will never forget.

[@iwyllie]

Amazing story. Reminds me of a day i got a wave from a harrier pilot at 30ft standing in my bedroom in Southern Scotland.

[@MattyK166]

@@iwyllie That would be so cool as a kid. The closest I've come is waving to kids or doing the odd stunt on a Sportsbike for them. It's so much fun watching them wave and cheer. I can still see the face of one kid in a ute going nuts with joy at me fishtailing and drifting up a hill in the rain whilst his Dad looked on and laughed.

[@davehart1027]

Was on holiday in dumfries years ago, got to see some tornados when i was walking, they went really low, and so loud! Was cool

[@iwyllie]

Reminds me of a summer day in the Highlands. An RAF tornado cruised past at the obligatory 200ft. The nearest deer raised its antlers. An oblique tribute perhaps?

[@stevebroadbent5080]

There are a few stories like this floating around, all doubtlessly true. But this one is the coolest I've come across. Those pilots are having fun but OMG they live on the edge.

[@angusmcangus7914]

Former Tornado GR1 pilot and weapons instructor here 1982-1989: It really was the Rolls Royce of low-level strike aircraft, a great military aviation achievement. Sad that it is no longer in RAF service in any capacity. The reason for the large fin was directional control and stability, nothing to do with the engines. It’s quite a compact aircraft and the shorter the fuselage, the bigger the vertical surface and rudder required. Having twin fins like the F14 and F15 would have achieved the same thing but probably wouldn’t have offered the ability to carry as much fuel - RAF Tornadoes had a fuel tank in the fin whereas German and Italian models didn’t.

[@Q3ark]

I read that the Tornado had automatic wing sweep as in the Tomcat but it was disabled in RAF service, so the pilot had to manually sweep the wings. Do you know if this is true or not?

[@angusmcangus7914]

@@Q3ark F3 had auto wing-sweep, the GR didn’t, manual only. The F3 auto-wings may have been disabled at some point, I don’t know. I flew the GR only.

[@simondunn4298]

Got to fly in the back seat at Honington so the Wing Commander could keep his hours up. So lucky to have been stationed at Honington and to have had so many mates on TWCU!

[@Goatboysminion]

"...the Rolls Royce of low level strike aircraft..."? 🤣 The F-111 would like a word.🇦🇺

[@angusmcangus7914]

@@Goatboysminion Good banter. However F-111 wasn’t ‘fly-by-wire’ like Tornado. The Tornado CSAS smoothed out low-level turbulence so that it cut through rough air like a hot knife through butter. I knew pilots and WSOs who had done exchange tours on F-111 with the USAF and the RAAF as well as US F-111 aircrew who flew Tornado with the RAF. All agreed it was a much smoother ride in Tornado. Hence ‘Rolls Royce’.

[@JamesNeave1978]

I always loved the name "Panavia" I wish they'd kept it and built more Panavia aircraft!

[@MortRotu]

It might have forlstered more European cooperation if it had continued to exist and be used. A shame to see such a legacy lost.

[@johnparrish9215]

I've seen 3 Tornado's burning hard 50 feet off a lake surface coming straight at me. A sight like that sticks in your memory like glue. It was 1985 and the RAF was making training runs in southern Scotland.

[@DalgetyBayHypnotherapy]

I worked for Ferranti in Edinburgh, where they made the Inertial Navigation Systems for a number of RAF planes beginningwith the Harrier. The IN was the most complex, beautiful, intricate piece of electromechanical design and I was always aware, and proud, that every time any if these aircraft flew past, it carried my fingerprints. (Ferranti later become GEC Ferranti, then Marconi Avionics).

[@MadMatt13]

That's something to be proud of. Fair play to you mate.

[@bdf2718]

FRE, aka K0662, aka Ferranti Embra also made the transmitter and scanner for the Foxhunter radar fitted to the ADV. That was done at Crewe Toll, unlike the INAS which was at Silverknowes. Your company history omitted the disastrous merger with a US company run by a grifter. That resulted in the remains of a bankrupt Ferranti being taken over by GEC. GEC later made disastrous decisions of its own and went bust.

[@residentelect]

@@bdf2718 Was that the doomed merger with International Signal & Control..?

[@bdf2718]

@@residentelect Three sausages in a frying pan, yeah. A poison pill to stop GEC gobbling them up. The pill killed them and GEC and others scavenged the carcass.

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

"I was always aware, and proud, that every time any if these aircraft flew past, it carried my fingerprints." I sincerely hope it didn't carry your fingerprints, not at all what you want in a "complex, beautiful, intricate piece of electromechanical design". :)

[@donaldduck9727]

Saudi Arabia and Italy also operated the F3 version, not just the RAF as stated by the presenter

[@gufo_tave]

That's correct. Italy rent some ADV aircract to modernise its fighter line (at that time, composed only by F104S-ASA-M). Italian air force thought that there could be parts in common with the IDS variant... but actually, the two versions were much different from expected,

[@itsnotmeitshim]

My favourite plane of all time. The RAF used to put on a display over the school in Llandloes, Mid Wales every year. One year whilst we where at the display, the cloud ceiling was too low for the red arrows and we were gutted....until a lunatic in a single tornado turned up and gave an impromtu display which was absolutely awsome, no practice, no routine just crazy wild and loud. Respect to that guy, he made our day.

[@thephantom2man]

Ive visited duxford a few times over the years, and the condition the IWM keeps its aircraft exhibits in is absolutely perfect

[@mickyday2008]

Duxford is world class

[@125brat]

Sorry but I disagree. Victor K1 XH648 which I believe is the only complete surviving example of a K1 was allowed to sit outside for something like 30 years to rot. I saw it soon after delivery in around 1978 and it was finally moved into the Aerospace hangar maybe 10 years ago. It is currently undergoing restoration that will take around 5 years to complete. If it had been looked after in the first place, it wouldn't need such a "restoration". The same is true of many of the other unique airframes that are exhibited there. I worked on the K2's at Marham and a very good friend was a Crew Chief on the K1's and he was sickened to see how they had allowed it to stand outside and rot.

[@falklandswar2]

@@125brat 🤓

[@codiersklave]

It appears to me that every time the British get their hands on an aircraft design, they turn it into something special. Gladiator, Hurricane, Spitfire, Lightning, Tornado, Typhoon II... all incredible aircraft. All very special aircraft that found their places in aviation history (or will find it for the ones still flying).

[@brendanukveteran2360]

We are ok as long as politicians and accountants are kept out of it...TSR2 anyone?

[@codiersklave]

@@brendanukveteran2360 That's pretty much the same everywhere today, I think. At least it seems to be. We had a military that was not too bad in this country some time ago. I remember that our allies liked to train and work with us. Now all that is left is a bad joke. And not even 100 billion euros can possibly change that.

[@welle1018]

And Harrier

[@codiersklave]

@@welle1018 Correct. That one I forgot 🙂

[@valerianocuomo996]

UK is failed, national industry less,UK is not london, the country no export, helicopter industry is italian, because UK is miserable? From italy

[@samcan9953]

One of my favourite planes. Unique. So sad it's gone.

[@andy_rb]

I was climbing at Malham Cove in Yorkshire once in the 90s when a Tornado dropped in low over the top and throttled up with those twin exhausts pointing back at us. The roar was astonishing. The whole amphitheatre shook as it thundered off down the valley.

[@Breznak]

I've only seen german Tornados, but they were always the highlight of any of our (czech) airshow in the 90s and 00s. I love this airplane!

[@georginagedroge4405]

I was planning on joining the RAF when was I was a teen (didn't happen) but I was fortunate enough to spend time with the mechanics of RAF Cottesmore who were some of the best and funniest people I had ever met at that time. As a treat at the end of my work placement, I was allowed to sit in the 'navigator' seat while they test-fired the engines. What memories and what a plane!

[@125brat]

Could have been me "driving" in the front seat 😁

[@simonuden8450]

Now I do feel old. I worked for Rolls-Royce in Patchway, Bristol for a while back in the late 70's, and the Tornado's engine, the RB199, was just being transitioned from pre-production prototype to production version at the time, and the test beds were changing. I can remember connecting wiring harnesses and various tubes to the prototype engines and this was being replaced by engines arriving fully connected in a purpose-built engine frame. All we had to do was connect two massive multi-plugs and it was done. Now the aircraft it was designed for is retired. Maybe it's time I did too!

[@markfarmer1815]

My father tested the rb199 at pyestock.

[@peterhopkins7505]

I worked on the engineering team that brought the Tornado into service, along with Jaguar and the Hawk. Later I ran a Mission Planning Team in Germany. Plus the First Gulf War. The Tornado was good, but we should have had TSR2.

[@casinodelonge]

I remember talking to a couple of Tornado aircrew when I was transiting through Gutersloh and they grumbled that it "flew like a shed". I have no idea what they were comparing it to mind. I always wondered if Gulf 1 was a bit of a rude awakening, I think Tornado losses were so high that the RAF started to fly at medium altitudes for their attacks? I'm sure someone who knows more than me can add!

[@iwyllie]

@@casinodelonge It flew like a shed, pulled like snowplough and caused a lot of tears.

[@iwyllie]

@@casinodelonge It flew like a shed, pulled like snowplough and caused a lot of tears.

[@John-pn4rt]

@@casinodelonge six Tornados we lost in The first Gulf War now whilst you can debate the effectiveness or otherwise of their low level airfield attacks part of the change of tactics was undoubtedly due to media hysteria pressure on UK politicians.

[@casinodelonge]

@@John-pn4rt I don't doubt it, but in the context of the Fulda Gap WW3 scenario it was built for, I would be interested to know if the attrition rate was "as expected" by the brass.

[@lowerquadrant4647]

Still state-of-the-art when I served in the Luftwaffe. That was one noisy bird! We used to stand close to the runway to get our eardrums blown out😁 God I love that aircraft!

[@wilhelmvonn9619]

Many years ago I worked on the Tornado flight control system, at the GEC site in Rochester. One day there was a celebration of some sort and we were to be treated to a flypast by two RAF Tornados. Loads of people wandered out into the car park to see this, and sure enough two aircraft were spotted in the distance. They turned straight toward us, and got closer and closer. RAF aircraft weren't supposed to fly below 250ft over built up areas, but the pilots must have 'forgotten' this because when they arrived they damn near parted our hair, and the thump of the pressure wave set off dozens of car alarms! 250ft my arse, I could have counted the rivets. Those were the days.

[@k2nook929]

Wonderful video. I grew up in Munich, my Dad worked at Panavia. Great memories of multinational friends.

[@berniecoles2337]

Being disabled, walking to to see their farewell flight over Pembrey was a real struggle for me, but so worthwhile. Farewell to the flying shark. Like the Harrier I’ll miss miss you and appreciate your service in protecting our skies.xx

[@chrishooge3442]

Oh god I'm old. I remember when the Tornado was new tech. Salute to all the Tornado crews.

[@deancostello14]

When my step Dad worked in Scotland in Selkirk, whenever I stopped over at his house I was awoken each morning by two of these flying overhead nearly every day. Fantastic machines.

[@HondaNsrFan]

Thinking back to my childhood back in the 1990s, the roaring Tornadoes outside my school are definitely a memory to stay. They'd go quite low level and would be so loud our teacher had to wait with teaching until they were gone again 😄

[@Klassiker-]

Ooh, we had that with the Lightning back in the 1960s in Leuchars too!

[@stuwilsonrallying]

I was lucky enough to compete on a car rally a number of times at RAF Marham, home of the Tornado. To start the rally we had a very very low fly past by a tornado, very impressive

[@chrish8331]

Somehow I found myself doing controls with Tornados down range - every pass right out of the sun. Engines that shook the world. At one point I think they flew lower then the Kiowa’s. Absolutely fantastic support. Much love to the pilots who flew for Villain.

[@mikebrase5161]

I was an Infantry Squad Leader in Iraq in 2004. Had a mission south of Baghdad that needed some close air. It just happened Tornado's were in the area. They flew so low that the tops of the palm trees bent to about 35 degree angle before snapping back when the Tornado's flew over head. The Tornado's by far flew the lowest that I saw in Combat for fixed wing.

[@cryptout]

One of my all time favorites, awesome plane!

[@tomanderson6939]

Tom Anderson Worked on Tornado at Preston and Samlesbury 1974 till 1984.

[@JamieSandersonx]

I remember at a kid going to Cottesmore and seeing these take off - my dad was in the RAF based there and used to build and maintain the RB199 engines and I was obsessed with the Tornado as a result! I have many fond memories of air shows and all the TTTE memorabilia around the house growing up. Great video of a great aircraft.

[@mark261166]

Absolutely, the best looking plane ever. It look's fast, even when it isn't moving.

[@henrykitcher1965]

For many, many years I wanted to fly the Tornado in service. Unfortunately I will never get an opportunity to fly in one, but that won't ever change the special affection I have for it. Others may, and have, criticised it for such and such reasons, but despite that it is still, and probably always will be, my favourite aircraft. Thank you, IWM Duxford, for this great video on such an incredible aeroplane.

[@xbgtfella]

Ditto bro. Ive always wanted to fly the space shuttle but they kept disintegrating before i could get a seat in one.

[@MervynPartin]

We (as a family) attended the II (AC) Squadron open day at RAF Marham and were pleased to be given a viewing location next to the runway where the Tornados commenced their take-off. The stomach shaking received as the afterburners were engaged was tremendous. Magnificent aircraft and a credit to the designers, manufacturers, aircrew and ground crew. They will be a hard act to follow for the F35s that have replaced them Incidentally, we were informed that the ejector seats had to be extra powerful to clear the fin, and spine problems could result if it was necessary to eject.

[@mtow7453]

Great presentation of a great airframe!! Well Done!

[@ImperialWarMuseums]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Valisk131]

The old adage, if it looks right it is right, fits this plane perfectly. Good video, thanks.✈︎✈︎✈︎

[@collinsmi43]

That adage also explains why the TSR2was cancelled

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

​@@collinsmi43: Philistine.

[@MultiBurger1]

Italian, British, and German engineered fighter plane WOW No wonder it was absolutely brilliant 💪🦁🔥.....

[@B-A-L]

And not a French nut in sight!

[@luke9malta]

I remember them coming to our airshows in malta… the tornado used to be the highlight of the show, every year ! A great aircraft, thanks for the presentation 🙂

[@alexcarter1127]

September 2000, RAF Brugenn Germany. I was with Royal Engineers at the base of the westerly runway, building a water supply tower while on exercise. Once completed we lay down on the top of the tower while the tornados were practicing night landing & take off. The noise and power of those engines were immense!

[@amphilbey]

thanks for sharing, didn't know these hard retired, saw many a Tornado at airshows in my childhood in the late 70s and 80s, great service.

[@ImperialWarMuseums]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wanderschlosser1857]

They aren't in Germany. Yet.

[@RoballTV]

First time I saw one of these live, was on a school trip in Wales. We were young kids walking along the hills and mountains, and suddenly below us in the valleys, they streaked past. Was cool to see them, even cooler to be looking down at them from above as they weaved through the terrain :)

[@warwickbull5559]

The Tornado was an influential part of the the first 8 years of my life, as my dad was ground crew engineer in the RAF on Tornado maintenance and worked at various squadrons at Lossiemouth and Marham, also we were one of the last families get posted out to Germany in the RAF 1998-2001, as Bruggen closed , lovely plane, so hard to imagine that the Tornado is now a museum piece and I'm glad to say, I saw the final Tornado fly past over Warton.🙂

[@19TheChaosWarrior79]

My mum was a cleaner at BAe and when I was tiny I have very faint memories of going to an open day for the Tornado and I bawled my eyes out when it went screaming over I am told. Didn't do any lasting harm as I love aircraft and the deeper and louder the roar the better. A B1 full afterburner takeoff is probably as loud as I have heard 🤣

[@residentelect]

@Andy Clegg As a kid I lived just a few miles down the road from the BAE site at Brough, East Yorkshire. One of my fondest memories of school was in 1991 (or '92?!) when a chap from BAE came in to talk to the class about what I'd guess you would call "STEM" these days, and how achieving in education could lead you onto a career flying, or designing fighter aircraft (mind-blowing for an 11 year old of course lol) He handed out these packs of 7cm x 5cm stickers containing individual CG artwork of the Tornado, Hawk, Typhoon, Harrier etc. It led to weeks of furious swapping (and In some cases blatant stealing!) in the playground at lunchtime lol I was especially made up as the first I'd grabbed on the day was the Typhoon, which obviously hadn't even flown yet and just looked so damn futuristic. It's still stubbornly clings onto the wooden headboard of the bed which is now dismantled and gathering dust in my parents loft!

[@gowdsake7103]

You should stand behind a lightning on full reheat and a totally vertical climb

[@calvinhobbes7504]

It looked like an interceptor-figuter, but it fought like a precision bomber. Awesome aircraft! :)

[@Alniemi]

Just found the channel and im binge watching for hours now. What great presentations!!! I love the history lessons combined with the excellent footage! it must have been an immense amount of work to put these together. o7

[@jeffestrada6857]

Thanks mate for the video- what a beautiful aircraft. I am a fan of the F1-11 and saw them a lot when growing up in Australia 🇦🇺 but I must say this Tornado at least in appearance is just as much a pleasure to look at! Thank you again 👍

[@Maurice_Moss]

One of my favorite aircraft, because its the first fighter I ever saw. Somewhere over Wales, 2 thundered overhead and banked hard and I saw their wings open up. Left quite an impression as I was only very young.

[@beefgoat80]

I really didn't know much about the Tornado at all. I truly enjoyed this video. Thanks!

[@theman7580]

its my favorite aircraft and i love it and seeing it taking off at the airport back then

[@hangie65]

Excellent review of the Tornado, an excellent aircraft and a fine demonstration of what UK and European technology is capable of.

[@pauldean8638]

If you ever around the lynn peninsula , Or north wales in the 80’s and 90’s then you saw these dropped fast and low . Sometimes you might be privileged to see them dog fight . One thing noticed by others is the way they creep up on you , you hear harriers and such coming , you didn’t usually hear these coming. ( pain if you wanted to photograph in local valley lol ) . Much loved jet of my childhood and all my life so far

[@uyeahuyeah]

Tornado, one of my most favorite kit fighter jet planes, loved the small front wheels, the swept wings with lots of pylons, and the big vertical fin noticeably

[@lordcypher7922]

I remember when I was in the air cadets we visited RAF Honington and got to sit in the GR.1 and shown the cockpits. A true workhorse of a plane.

[@austenpowers]

Great vid - saw a simulated attack with a pair at the Bournemouth Airshow in or around 2008 - remains my fav ever display. Like a heavy fast bird of prey for sure

[@HitomiNee]

lovely overview of its history and operational capabilities. cheers!

[@carlbentley80]

Tornado's would fly low over the village I grew up in on a daily basis, super impressive to see and hear. A-10's also passed over a couple of times a week with an occasional Hercules and Chinook. Most impressive thing I ever saw though was 3 Lightnings passing over extra low and fast, just about at the end of their service.

[@berniecoles2337]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you

[@saintuk70]

I found, and always will find the Tornado a beautiful 'craft. Fortunate to have been up close and personal with one, whilst also spending hours watching operations at Lossiemouth. Served our countries well.

[@pokeintheeyepod]

This was great. Growing up I had a big book on fighter jets from around the world and the Tornado was my favorite. I even remember being a little disappointed the US didn't have them. When I drew jets, they'd often resemble the Tornado. They kind of remind me of a stockier Mig and all loaded out they looked mean, like a jacked up little gunship.

[@ratsac]

F-111s had 2 pivoting hard points on each wing. Also had 1 x fixed pylon outboard which was mainly used for ferry tanks and rarely used.

[@macman6107]

Thank you. I literally said the same thing and knew it wouldn't take long to find a comment saying such.

[@nigeh5326]

Havent been to Duxford for over 10 years but I will bee making a visit to see the new exhibits in the next year 😊👍

[@chefrowlet]

i can't believe the first i've heard of this aircraft was a quick mention in your Lightning video... this things looks amazing

[@steveclark5357]

I have always wondered about the swing wing system concerning the attachment pods, this is very good info, thank you

[@ziggurat-builder8755]

Fabulous video, I like the archive footage mixed with the walk around, but I’d love more walk around! At last I don’t just have to watch the Tank Museum’s awesome tank chats - I get videos on aircraft! Love Duxford by the way, it is an excellent museum!

[@johnalmason]

Farewell to the old Tonka. A classic cold war low-level beast. Who can forget that grainy 70s footage of it tearing over the countryside with its wings in swept configuration. It was an airshow favourite as well (it made quite a racket both on the ground and in the air). A good ship which gave fine service. The backbone of RAF Strike Command for many years - even if people joked in the early days that MRCA stood for 'Much Refurbished Canberra Aircraft'.

[@desmo750f1]

Also, before it went into service, Mother Riley's Cardboard Aeroplane

[@Brytonrock]

I regularly have trips down to Wales and stay right in the middle of the Mach Loop. I've seen heard and felt many Tornadoes fly overhead on training sorties and it's a pity that I'll never be able experience those sensations again. The sound and vibrations from those twin RB199's on full reheat was incredible.

[@Tinderchaff]

I can attest we did indeed call it the Norfolk Landshark at Marham :D. Marham's runway is on a slight hill, you will see the fin long before you see the rest of the aircraft. When I joined way back in 1998 I wasn't a fan, it was too boxy and plain for me. But over the years I grew to love it. The Tornado was a workhorse of an aircraft, not as sexy as a Typhoon or a Vulcan but it got the job done. I was also lucky enough to be at Marham during the last few years of the Canberra's tenure in the RAF. Both such lovely aircraft. One thing I especially like about ZA469 (the GR4), is that it has not been cleaned. This is how it would have looked in service (some were far dirtier than this example) complete with the RBF, or Remove Before Flight (the red and white flags) tags.

[@camrsr5463]

Very impressive aircraft. One of my Faves.

[@MikeHayespurple]

Fantastic video, & so informative. I used to build the In-Flight Refueling Probes on the Tornado, and plan to visit next year to see if the your probe is one I built! I am so looking forward to it.

[@Bruce-1956]

My father worked on the Tornado when he was working at Ferranti, Edinburgh, during the 1970s.

[@gregr.demarco4164]

Just. Crass American here.! I have been to RAF Duxford It is an amazing place!

[@darrenstone3693]

Stunning flying machine

[@switchey110]

used to love sitting on embo beach as a kid on holiday watching these guys pratice above

[@seanjoseph8637]

I was on the Smash n Crash team that transported PO2 ( 10:33 ), the 2nd prototype, from RAF Honington to RAF Laarbruch, where it was to be used as a Battle Damage Repair (BDR) practice airframe.

[@Umski]

I was given an F3 airfix model as a kid - I didn't really appreciate its background the time but loved playing around with the sweeping wings :D

[@alcord2540]

As an early post apprentice engineer in the early 1970s i was given the task of manufacturing a replacement chassis for wind tunnel testing on the MRCA.Most of the testing had been done on the flight behavior of the bare model but further testing was needed with fuel tanks and various weapon combinations.The shape was complicated by the sloping platforms to carry the wings at various angular presentations to the airflow and the long channel to carry the pressure plotting tubes to the back of the model.All machined on manual machinery.The wings and fuselage features were machined elsewhere on numerically controlled machines and hand finished to acceptable surface finish.

[@jules2545]

I was posted to an RAF base a few years ago, my boss was a Tornado fighter jock. His description of the aircraft was a "Jack of all trades and master of none".

[@robertdraper5782]

My secondary school metal work / engineering drawing teacher worked on the prototype for the MRCA in the early 70's he used to have a photo of his team with the first prototype on the wall in the metal shop. He gave up a well paid job to teach kids in an deprived area, he was a good teacher and a very decent man.

[@ianmorris7485]

Updated versions of the Tornado could probably still hold their own today and for years to come, just a marvellous example of a well designed and built aircraft. You cannot argue with 40 years of frontline service.

[@mr.vancouver007]

Beautiful and brilliant aircraft

[@palmermsw]

These used to fly low level over my house and school on a daily basis. Govilon village near Abergavenny during the 90s. The F3's would always have their wings swept back and would scream over at low altitude. I guess they were using their terrain radar guidance. Was amazing to see as a kid and it never got old. Would be amazing if any pilots who flew that route see this comment.

[@MrFStCtUK]

That’s a pretty cool plane. I grew up in Germany during the 80-ies and you could spot one of these - mostly in pairs actually - at least once a month. Pure beauty!

[@hepburn118]

Fascinating, really well made documentary.

[@adamweston4152]

I went to RAF ST ATHAN to watch the final flight of the tornado and it was an emotional experience to say goodbye to such an excellent aircraft and I treasure that memory.

[@petermcgill1315]

Tornado and Concorde always come to mind.

[@marksutherland3340]

I saw a couple flying over the north east coast of Scotland & loved it 😍

[@jeffreycharles1224]

Brilliant top marks thank you IWM 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@connorrees7821]

I used to be in the air cadets and one of best memories as a kid was at Lossiemouth watching 12,14 and 617 squadrons take off and land all day

[@Back2TheBike]

I project managed the F3 Major Fatigue Test at Warton. We bent it up and down until it broke, then modded the broken bits. A wingtip deflection of c12', she creaked and groaned like a galleon in full sale. I also PM'd the installation of the chaff/flare system for Granby. We got it on the a/c and flying in 10 days. A special moment when she departed Warton for Boscombe. Bob Fairclough, who speaks here, was my boss in the Estimating Dept!

[@bryanhyde8850]

Such a fantastic aircraft !

[@Guhonter]

At the airshow in Duxford commemorating the 75th anniversary of the BoB they had a Tornado lighting bis afterburner as its tail was pointed directly at the crowd, it fealt like the sky was torn apart. Pure, low growl, RAW Power, I'll never foget it!

[@hrtbrk1]

One of my top favorite looking jets 😊

[@markbradley5035]

Nice to watch, a few inaccuracies but there you go!

[@MRCAGR1]

Worked at CDMT in Camberley from 1979-1981 on the Ground Test Facility and Flight Guidance Control System software design. CDMT was EASAMS (U.K.), SIA (Italy) and ESG (FRG).

[@lifeinsidekyoto6553]

I used to stay at a cabin up in Scotland on Loch Lossie and these used to do extremely low flyovers. Eating breakfast on the deck with these screeching over head is still one of the greatest things I've ever witnessed.

[@jeremyfdavies]

Another great video. Well done.

[@aaronhia1369]

I was a fortunate individual to have visited IWM Duxford when this Tornado arrived, just right before the UK went into lockdown as well.

[@k-ron7403]

Still to this day my very favourite aircraft. Such fond memories of these gorgeous beasts burning hard over my house doing what they do best. It’s not quite the same since they retired sadly

[@gregj3515]

jeepers a cassette, wondering if they brought along their favourite mix tape.... beautiful aircraft...

[@bikenavbm1229]

always good stuff thanks, miss the days of all low level training free entertainment where I live in Wales.

[@bill8784]

I remember a then Panavia MRCA in prototype red and white paintwork flying over my school during an outdoor assembly. It must have been in 1974 or 1975. With a father in the RAF I recognised it immediately and couldn’t believe the luck.

[@LHJC10]

Just stumbled on this channel, excellent content.

[@grant209]

The Tornado was not the only sweep wing aircraft to have rotating weapons stations that align with the fuselage. The F-111 Two Inner Wing Weapons Pylons rotated with the wings sweep to stay align with the fuselage, allowing weapons to be carried with wings in the swept back position, as shown with IWM own F-111 Display. The only restrictions were they type of weapons that could be carried at supersonic speeds.