The Panavia Tornado - A Farewell

With the final RAF Tornado GR.4 flight and force disbandment parade on 14th March 2019 at RAF Marham, 37 years of exceptional service officially comes to an end. After quickly establishing itself as the backbone of the RAF’s striking power following its introduction into frontline service in June 1982, the Tornado flew combat sorties in its GR.1, F.3 and GR.4 variants over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Designed as a specialised low level conventional and nuclear bomber able to push its way under the extensive Soviet defences during the late Cold War, the aircraft was successfully developed into a highly flexible and capable tactical reconnaissance, close air support, precision strike and cruise missile launch platform. It also spawned the initially troublesome but ultimately effective F.3 Interceptor variant which defended British skies between 1987 and 2011.
As it retires, the Tornado GR.4 is one of the most capable close air support fighters in service with NATO, but is no longer able to compete with the latest generation of airborne and ground based threat systems in high-intensity conflict scenarios. In the close air support role, it is replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon which can now perform all the RAF GR.4 mission sets except for the standoff tactical reconnaissance role using the RAPTOR pod. For the Tornado’s original role of penetrating heavily defended airspace, the RAF is looking to the new F-35B Lightning II which is also based at RAF Marham. With its advanced low-observability (stealth) and situational awareness capabilities, the F-35 provides a huge leap in combat capability. However, the RAF’s Tornado will be missed by its crews and the aviation community as a whole, although the type will continue to serve (including in the nuclear delivery role) in Germany and Italy for a few more years at least.
This film is dedicated to all the crews who have flown the Tornado throughout the last 37 years, especially those who lost their lives through combat losses or accidents.
Stock footage from Royal Air Force, used under 'Crown Copyright' Free Use policy. IWM Footage Licensed for this documentary by IWM Film, not for reuse without written permission.
Find out more about RUSI Airpower research and Events: rusi.org/projects/air-power-a...

[@ronshears835]

It looked the business it was the business. And the Pilots were the business. A complete team without any peers. Thank You for keeping us safe.

[@davey.f.demarco3858]

“Fast and low, ideally in bad weather or at night”. Oh I remember going to bed as a young boy in the early 80s and having Tornadoes buzz my house at all hours. Scared the crap out of me but I really miss them today. Beautiful aircraft.

[@1903chrisholden]

End of an era for such an iconic beautiful aircraft thankyou to the pilots / navigators / ground crew that not only kept the aircraft serviceable but helped our guys do their job and return safely

[@marcase2003]

End of an era, indeed. Wonderful mini doc, worth your time.

[@vMaxHeadroom]

Low level supersonic flight with the first to go in and drop bombs....what an amazing aircraft that had one of the hardest jobs...It looks strong and could take some punishment and still get back....Great pilots who we owe so much too....

[@abdula7183]

How many innocent people were killed, cowards. If you are brave you will not need such a plane. But your cheese forced you to the industry and hide behind it.

[@richard63]

A well deserved retirement. Here's hoping some of the museums get their hands on many of them.

[@Joshua_N-A]

The last of the variable geometry breed.

[@kickboxerforever00]

A sad Goodbye to an Absolute Legend..The Panavia Tornado!! My Bro in law used to work on them in the RAF back in the day...Amazing.

[@antikoerper256]

We have one on display in the bulgarian national military museum in Sofia, donated from Germany. Amazing platform, I can only imagine what it felt like piloting it or what type of advanced features it had which the jets from the Eastern Bloc didn't.

[@AldiPennyLidl1887]

yep have been there 2014. was awesome to see it. beautiful an powerful bird!

[@Hirschi74]

Greatings from a former GAF GCI member. Panavia PA-200 Tornado IDS and Recce were part of my daily business.

[@CammieGee]

The Panavia Tornado has earned itself a legendary place in the annals of RAF and aviation history, along with the Supermarine Spitfire, De Havilland Mosquito, Avro Lancaster, Avro Vulcan and Hawker Siddeley Harrier

[@muppetrowlf1473]

I’d have to disagree. As far as I can see if you look at it’s “combat” record. It’s not fit to live with the other aircraft mentioned. Operationally it’s always been a disaster. And an expensive one.

[@jamiegray6931]

@@muppetrowlf1473 Operationally its been a raging success, serving in both Gulf Wars with minimal losses, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, performing vital roles in support of ground troops. What do you see as its flaws?

[@mrjockt]

@@muppetrowlf1473, it may not merit the “legendary” name but it certainly wasn’t a disaster, in fact it was considered by many to be one of, if not the, premier low level attack aircraft of its time, there aren’t many aircraft that can fly at 200 feet of the ground at 500mph+ carrying an 8,000lb bomb-load and deliver it accurately on its target.

[@muppetrowlf1473]

In practise, that is not how you conduct ground attack. The Tonka fell at the very 1st hurdle: Desert Storm. Using a weapon the aircrews had little or no training on ( the runway denial weapon ), added to a catastrophic attrition rate in the opening days of the war. The Americans were horrified at what had befell the aircrews and pleaded with the RAF to bomb at 20000 ft, to give them a fighting chance against the SAMs . The RAF were humiliated by having to admit to the USAF that the Tornado could barely make 13000ft with a full bomb load. And all the time having the added complexity of conducting every laser guided mission with a Buccaneer alongside to fire the laser. After the war the Tornado loss rate was famously projected onto the Cold War theatre. The planners found that performing the very mission it was procured for, ie interdiction/strike at low level, against the Russians, the RAF would have run out of Tornados after 3 days. Such was the kill rate of the SAMs in Iraq. Abject failure.

[@mrjockt]

@@muppetrowlf1473, only one Tornado was lost carrying out missions using JP233 runway denial weapons, and that was a screw up on leaving the area that resulted in it hitting high ground, the hurdle they fell at was the crews had trained to go in low level to avoid medium to high altitude SAM’s, the most prevalent types they were assumed to face over Central Europe, whereas the Iraqi’s put more reliance on low level AAA which meant at the start the crews flew into what were basically “walls of lead”, it didn’t help that the Tornado’s were tasked with attacking Iraqi airfields which were heavily defended by AAA batteries. As far as the projections about losses during a war with the Warsaw Pact is concerned, losing most Tornado’s after 3 days is actually one day longer than the airfields they operated from were expected to survive, when I arrived at my unit in Germany in the mid ‘80s we were told that if all out war happened our base would be non-operational due to attacks within two to three days and most of us would be prisoners, dead or fighting as infantry within four.

[@muzaffarmohamad]

I remember buying an Airfix kit of the Tornado, it was a pound ninety nine at Cardiff in the late seventies. Installing the kit, I marvelled at the variable geometry wing. I then painted it in RAF colours. Seen them on airshows, mightily impressed. I adored more than the American F-15, it seemed brutal and no nonsense, later in life I became an aircraft engineer, having took my license in Scotland, I remembered them buzzing overhead. Years later, I saw the old gal at the RAF Museum, north of London. Still impressive, but now , given access to the cockpit. An amazing aircraft, deserves all the praise by former pilots,WSOs , armaments and ground crew.

[@anselmdanker9519]

A great documentary on a great RAF aircraft, much respect to the air crews and ground crew who served to keep the UK safe .

[@Kizzy_in_the_sea]

I fell in love with the Tornado as a kid after watching news film of them screaming over the desert at impossibly low level in 1990. Hitting the target and getting back out. The sort of images that stick in the mind for ever.

[@graemewilson1400]

Yes never leaves you!

[@mrjockt]

I spent a total of around 35 years working on the Tornado, both in the RAF and as a civilian contractor. It’s sad that the RAF have had to retire this plane, but at least it’ll still be flying for a few more years with the Italians, the Germans and the Saudi’s, in fact the Saudi’s are currently planing on keeping the aircraft in service for another 10 years at least.

[@mrjockt]

@b52gf16c The high loss rate was incurred because the tactics used had been designed around attacking Warsaw Pact airfields in Europe where the primary defence was seen to be SAM’s, so the tactics were to go in as low as possible in order to give the minimum amount of time for radar lock to occur, unfortunately the Iraqi’s placed more emphasis on actual anti-aircraft guns than on missiles and those tactics made it easier for the guns to get a hit, the loss rate declined enormously once the Tornado’s switched tactics to take this into account.

[@mrjockt]

@b52gf16c Didn’t see many of the century series during my time in the R.A.F., the two that I did see were F-104’s flown by the Danes and, of all things, F-100’s operated by a civilian company, Tracor, at Decimomanou, you always knew when the Super Sabres were getting ready to take-off, everybody heard the loud “thump” of the afterburners kicking in at the start of their take-off roll.

[@abdula7183]

How many innocent people were killed, cowards. If you are brave you will not need such a plane. But your cheese forced you to the industry and hide behind it.

[@mrjockt]

@@abdula7183 Yes, we see how brave many are, strapping bombs to themselves and walking into buildings and shopping markets full of innocent men, women and children, how brave.

[@azura_2437]

My dad worked on the Tonka at RAF Bruggen in the early 90's (Barnes wallis here lol) Even in 2020 it still hurts that we no longer have this beast.

[@galahadscxscoopex5190]

I went to Barnes Wallis school at RAF Bruggen lol

[@tanderson596]

Thank you to the people at RUSI, Justin Bronk and all the aircrew who helped make this wonderful video.

[@323nut]

What a fantastic aircraft. I remember being an 11 year during the 1991 Gulf War and wanting to be a Tornado IDS pilot after reading about their low level raids on Iraqi airfields with the JP233 at 50m at 500knts plus. Never got there but have loved this aircraft since. Legends never die they just fade away. Well earned retirement.

[@matteovrizzi]

Fantastic documentary! Thank you to the uploader

[@harbomarbo4695]

one of the best video about that magnificient plane. Mr. Bronk, please continue your amazing work :)

[@rhurbstafalcon4807]

Smashing little programme....respects to all...and of course Tonka

[@SneakyShark]

Great doc. Loved the Tonka :)

[@davidbrooks187]

Fantastic video which demonstrates the incredible professionalism & precision of the RAF in a magnificent strike bomber aircraft.

[@mivecsi]

Really enjoyed that 👍

[@allgood6760]

Thanks for this 👍✈️

[@nathanielwhite8769]

Excellent presentation from Justin Bronk and to all of those Tornado Veterans, Aircrews and Ground Crews, Cracking Job, Well Done!!

[@markjessurun1294]

I always loved the PANAVIA TORNADO Fighter Jet and I think it looks Beautiful !! May GOD Bless all of U Service men and women who flew these Jets in combat!! I have Great Respect for U people and Thanks a lot indeed !!

[@ross7050]

greatful to say ive sat in one of these epic machines at RAF Leeming.

[@zidarichelena5521]

Dober večer vsem ki vas gledam zanimivi so tornadi lep pozdrav iz Slovenije helen

[@dubemccready7438]

Excellent piece of Historic History to which I have always enjoyed and listened to in my 76 years on this wonderful place I call home. Mother Earth.

[@andersleofranzen7019]

FAREWELL MOST BELOVED TORNADO🙏😘!!!

[@MinhajMalik]

Saw it in person at the RAF Museum in London. Absolutely magnificent beast.

[@strikezero01]

we gonna miss you

[@timnewland4186]

I was never convinced by the Tornado when she came into service, but I was a 14 year old air cadet so what did I know. In later years I remember the thrill of them passing low level on training ops around the Malvern Hills where I now live. What with the demise of both Tornado and Harrier the skies are silent now, oh how I miss the Tonka.

[@historiadaaviacao.4274]

Documentário espetacular parabéns, adoro o Tornado.

[@felix_-_YT]

My grandad navigated the tornado in the rear seat and he gave me a model of one

[@will5459577]

To own one of these would be a dream come true for me!

[@TINY5BB]

Amazing people , thank you **

[@flysrangers9101]

Tornado...pride of RAF.........

[@mwallace2922]

Thanks for posting. 🇦🇺

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

Deserves a place on the RAF memorial flight

[@thomaslund6013]

LEGEND

[@chandrachurniyogi8394]

the Panavia TORNADO GR.4A multi role interdictor strike fighter is one beautiful fighter jet without a shred of doubt!!! more so the longer, upgraded Panavia TORNADO F3 multi role fighter interceptor!!! if this ain't a beautiful jet then please enlighten me what is, I'm all ears!!! I believe our definition of a beautiful & gorgeous fighter jet is quite different from each other!!!

[@petermallia558]

I agree with Richards' comment below, let's hope some are kept for posterity, we need aircraft museums to step up with public backing to make sure we allow people, of all ages to get to see a great legacy aircraft of the RAF.

[@andrewturner2354]

My bedroom wall was covered with posters of this thing... A bit of space was given to the Harrier but the Tornado was my pinup as a kid.

[@WgCdrLuddite]

I only recently learned that the Tornado was capable of supercruise. Not many 70s aircraft could claim that.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

1:48 _"Supersonic Dash"_ this dude has it fitted as standard..

[@rosenchowdhury66]

Love the GR4

[@WizzardPrang]

Great film. I'll miss the Tonka.

[@fluseint.1303]

you can see that these two guys really have a deep bond.

[@abdula7183]

How many innocent people were killed, cowards. If you are brave you will not need such a plane. But your cheese forced you to the industry and hide behind it.

[@manuelfava6493]

What a plane!

[@englishpassport6590]

London's private Air Force.. certainly not ours! I used to watch Tornado's practising low level skip bombing using the local colliery as a target during the miners strike.. Some came in very low and very loud. They were so very low down that they regularly set off car and burgler alarms where we lived...

[@thomaslund6013]

It was the most Beautiful

[@belong53]

Great to see my old Goldstar colleagues on film

[@stevewadman4166]

Even though my country never used it I always liked the tornado and I'm sad to see it go

[@cousinjack2841]

Iconic. Bad ass. 'nuff said.

[@mykincadult-store1219]

Imagine this flying 700+ mph 50ft over your roof. Oh wait I have. I rate this jet far higher now having watched this.

[@georgebarnes8163]

Nearly as low as the superior Buccaneer would fly, I am talking 20 feet of the deck

[@markdavidson1049]

Not sure what the first guy was on about. The Tornado is a gorgeous plane in both GR and F form.

[@JoJo-vm8vk]

1:55 No, the jet doesn’t have enough thrust at low altitude, and it looses even more thrust at high to medium altitude because it has a high bypass ratio (for a a supersonic jet) to get lower fuel consumption at low altitude. The supersonic speed is thanks to variable sweep wings (which make it even heavier).

[@jyotirmayamohanty5723]

Main gist of strategy is to approach enemy installations in night time and rainy conditions when enemy shall be least expecting any aerial strike but which is possible only by use of Panavia Tornado. NATO's game changers.

[@gerryperez1084]

Amazing tornado... it was one of the firestarters during the gulf war...

[@muppetrowlf1473]

From personal nostalgia, a sad event. The 1st air show I ever went to ( RAF Cosford ) was opened by a Gr4. Can still feel the anticipation as Sean Maffet provided the build up. I could see it circling in the distance. Then as Mr Maffet said the display clearance had been given, I watched through my Dad’s Binoculars as the nose came round to the runway heading, it dropped, the black cloud in the distance signalled the throttles opened and in she came. Wonderful. And I fell in live with Airshows from that moment. Sadly with age you learn more about what the actual purpose of these machines are. And in the last 2 decades it’s become apparent that when you scratch the surface of the RAF the sheen quickly falls away. For the truth about Tornado is more to do with the RAF exerting a grip on the Civil Service above and at the expense of everyone else. They have my sympathy for the political birth of Tornado. Something they probably had little say in. So the “love in” with Europe and joint development started the downhill spiral. But for the RAF to slavishly talk up the humiliating failures of the Tornado, shows that there is much dishonesty in the story. No capability. Buccaneers providing targeting in Desert Storm. The laughing stock of NATO excercises due to it’s complete lack of air to air ability. The RAF then use this against the MoD to prise out funds for the F3 ( Fighter )!? Never even close. And at huge cost to the taxpayer. And the development took place in an era when the USAF were converting everything they owned into bombers! And then to the beginning. The MoD were offered a stand alone partnership in the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18, only for the RAF to refuse it as unsuitable! And even I can’t talk about the attrition rate of the aircraft in Iraq. I find that painful, let alone the admission by the RAF that the aircrews hadn’t previously delivered the type of ordinance required for the mission. Lovely memories of all those displays. But god only knows why it was allowed to happen. But history repeated itself. Then came the Typhoon. Huge expense on an unheard of scale. Slated by the National Office for Statistics as being NOT value for money. 10 years late and completely underdeveloped.

[@imperialinquisition6006]

Most of what you said is wrong in many ways tbh.

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

@@imperialinquisition6006 : There's that much wrong with it, there's just not enough hours, in the day to explain.

[@104thMaverick]

So long old girl, sleep well!

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

It's literally about time for that legend to be honoured to live on virtually in DCS :)

[@luteroblau6955]

precioso

[@theamazingyoutubewatchergu6838]

Can anyone tell me what function the intake looking protrusion at the bottom the vertical stabilizer on the tornado serves? I can’t find an explanation anywhere.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

After your comment sent me on an hour long digging quest; It's the Intake for the Engine Heat Exchanger 👍

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

Also, the 1 at the top, facing aft, is for fuel dump & the 1 facing forward, in front of that, is the RHWR. The F3 version, doesn't have that particular protrusion, so I'm assuming it must be relocated (Don't quote me on that 1 😉)

[@thomaslund6013]

If that is the way to put it I agree. The olde girl does indeed deserve a rest.

[@mpkfirestone9810]

A fantastic noise when it creeps up on you at low level in the Scottish Borders - awesome!

[@madzen112]

Light it up, coming in low in a Tornado, that'll beat any F-35 in a show

[@roo1234]

RUSI- you should know better! In the back seat of the Tornado GR1/A was a Navigator not a Weapon Systems Officer, the term “Weapons Systems Officer” became the term after the upgrade to the GR4 standard.

[@MikeZak101]

currently bidding on one on ebay, fingers crossed

[@frame_ae]

this thing looks so cool and the wing sweep is sexy love from india

[@bobwood856]

Best-looking jet fighter ever, imho.

[@oot007]

I remember this plane and it's pilots did all the dangerous low level attack missions during the first Gulf War while the yanks including it's stealth F117 flew in relative safety at high altitude.

[@scarecrow108productions7]

*Farewell, Tonka...*

[@madzen112]

Btw did a Tornado ever drop napalm?

[@johnreed3638]

Excellent replacement for the Phantom but lacked the speed and agility of the English Electric Lightning.

[@tenkloosterherman]

The Tornado is still a great plane.

[@arx3516]

A lot of people love the A10 Warthog ground attack abilities, i orefer those of the Tornado. Why "BRRRT" the target when you can just blow it up?

[@skull1161]

cause anti infantry missiles cost more than the brrrrt. Also it sounds cooler and is more bad ass.

[@arx3516]

@@skull1161 more bad ass than a nuke?

[@skull1161]

@@arx3516 no of course not, can the tornado carry a nuke?

[@skinniestfatman5641]

@@skull1161 yup, the Tonka could carry a nuclear weapon, in fact it was mentioned in the doc. 15min notice to fly

[@skull1161]

@@skinniestfatman5641 If we are talking about practicality then putting a nuke on a fighter bomber/cas aircraft is stupid. A10 is cheaper to fly which is why it is easy to use against poor enemies. I would take the F35 over the A10 any day though if the enemy is any modern military and not just some terrorist.

[@gissie391]

better than the phantom its "like flying a bus!" the pilot said in one video . i hope the cadet i knew who wanted to fly one got a flight he was excellent pilot most amazing hand eye coordination i ever seen even in pilots , he had his flying scholarship[ , he was whizz at maths too .fast off the starting blocks despite not being that fit . i found the navy seals video for swimming he wanted to swim the navy seals one is one best tutorials i seen. he was good at team work too , he didnt make it first time round for Officer , but he would have made it second time round im sure .

[@shadigif8916]

Tornado the Thomas the tank engine of multirole combat aircraft

[@loupgaroux9587]

Why was the Tornado so slow?

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

Eh? Are you for real? If anything, we should be asking you the same question.

[@thisisadebrown]

The performance on the GR1 was compromised compared to fighters because it wasn't a fighter ... The F3 was and had uprated engines... shame you could not have spoken to some groundcrew... by the way, for it's first few years the tornado smashed Sqn comradery (for the groundcrew anyhow) by the way, ground crew aren't invited to Sqn reunions due to the class system still alive and well ;)

[@125brat]

Twas ever this unfortunately!

[@rashdin]

what about tornado ecr??

[@105aviation4]

The RAF never had any ECR the SEAD role was assigned to the GR1.

[@suburbia2050]

That was used by Germany

[@errolbrown7158]

Tonka!

[@erikjohansen9154]

Ex RAAF worked 9 years on IDS ..... nice

[@mpananas1uss170]

Don't cry because its over Be happy because it happened

[@andersleofranzen7019]

No, I am very sad! I want to cry out! Tonka had personality, Its successor is nothing special...

[@mnulfateh]

Britain didn't keep the pace of innovation and monopoly in inventing things which matters to Britain and the world but depending on their partners to fight jointly. Things are not prospering as all member of alliances have their own national interest then inclusivity as prescribed in documentation.

[@suzannegoncalves9934]

😇🎆

[@UncleBoratagain]

Did the RAF ever have a utility function post nominal Cold War cessation? Do we feel more safe, more secure in our island nation? That is the point of funding a military via taxation right?

[@Mark_Bickerton]

For years, I always thought our nuclear deterrent was solely missiles fired from SSBN's, but clearly we had nuclear capable aircraft, can the Typhoon operate with the same bombs in the ground role? If we had the bombs, I cant for the life of me, see why they could not.

[@jamiegray6931]

They would have to be converted for nuclear strike, but it isn't one of its capabilities. This is a big problem for Germany who keeps the Tornado around mostly for nuclear strike.

[@chrisjunsusbilla8251]

Tornado jets..vry almost superb..system .advance likely ...

[@pekertimulia125]

Mig 35 as is Mirage

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

WTF, are you on about?

[@user-ol1qm9ey7g]

กว่าจะมีของแถมให้อีกก็ได้

[@MrBrowne86]

F-111 for the win.

[@madzen112]

Loosen up Justin

[@pekertimulia125]

Next is Mig 35

[@drffrd3012]

Absolute crock!.. Kid killer in Saudi Arabia 's raids against Yemen. That's the only real action it has ever seen.

[@jamiegray6931]

Gulf War 1991, Balkans 1990s, Iraq 2003, Afghanistan 2001, Syria 2014 and thats just British service.

[@stormtrooperbb]

Kids with RPG’s and AK47 !

[@suburbia2050]

You must be confused, surely you should be complaining to the Saudi airforce and not a retrospective video about the history RAF's decommisioned fleet?

[@imperialinquisition6006]

Lmao

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

@@stormtrooperbb : Nobody wants to hear about your sick little fantasies.

[@yenihesap4090]

Give them to Ukraine🇺🇦Let them fly more. RAF 🇬🇧have upgraded 59 GR4s. 👊I am sure they could fly additional two year. GR4 they would be great stopgap solution for Ukraine since GR4 has Anti-radiation ALARM missiles and laser guided PAVEWAYs. SEAD and destroying enemy lines what Ukraine urges currently.

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

Sadly, all U.K Tornados have been scrapped or are in a museum. The Germans + Italians, still fly them though.

[@simonknight5674]

Hi, It's Cy. Stu, where the hell is your hair?

[@rutherfojr]

Was it ever as good as the later F111s. Did it really replace the Buccaneer Jaguar Harrier and Phantom .. Did it do the job of air superiority and interceptor as well as the Phantom lightning combination. Looking back it might have been better to develop the supersonic Harrier. Upgraded Buccaneer Jaguar Phantom, and bought 90 or so F15s. In the end it didn't really matter We got the tornado= a good standoff deep penetrative strike bomber and missle platform. As for all the other functionality we had RAF Lakenheath. Or for its proper name USAF Lakenheath and similar bases where F15s F111s You name it F16s F18 sAV8s could be brought to bare within a week of potential threat to the sky's of the realm. Its good to know one's place..

[@pekertimulia125]

I'm not England