Tornado final return
- Woody
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 10245
- Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 6:33 pm
- Location: Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand
- Age: 59
Tornado final return
When all else fails, read the instructions.
Re: Tornado final return
I was there when the first operational Tornado arrived at Honington. Still regard it as a “new” aeroplane
- Ex-Ascot
- Test Pilot
- Posts: 13096
- Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:16 am
- Location: Botswana but sometimes Greece
- Gender:
- Age: 68
Re: Tornado final return
I trained with some of the first Tornado pilots. I lost one of my best mates in one in a training accident.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.
Re: Tornado final return
I worked for a short period (about 9 months I think) at Warton before moving on to civvie aviation, I helped build the first Tornado production aircraft for the RAF in 1979, after the EE Lightning I was pleased to find how accessible everything was. The process for soaking the wing pins in liquid nitrogen to shrink them prior to fitment was pretty specialised.
My son spent around 10 years as a Tech on Tornado squadrons including the second Gulf war.
My son spent around 10 years as a Tech on Tornado squadrons including the second Gulf war.
Re: Tornado final return
It's always sad when an aircraft that has been part of history is retired. I must admit I hadn't realised that they'd been in service for 40 years, they must have looked incredibly futuristic in 1974 when they first flew.
- CharlieOneSix
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 5005
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: NE Scotland
- Gender:
- Age: 79
Re: Tornado final return
The future BAe Chief Project Navigator on the Tornado, Roy Kenward, was on the same RN entry as me and was the 1000th aircrew member to use a Martin Baker seat (from a Sea Vixen). Sadly he lost his battle with cancer last June. An oddity maybe - the early test flights of the Tornado were carried out by ex-RN pilots - Dave Eagles and Paul Millet - even though the Tornado was destined for the RAF.
The helicopter pilots' mantra: If it hasn't gone wrong then it's just about to...
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
https://www.glenbervie-weather.org
- ian16th
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 10029
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2015 9:35 am
- Location: KZN South Coast with the bananas
- Gender:
- Age: 87
Re: Tornado final return
A former Boy Entrant the passed out with me in 1954, was a W.O. on the Multi National Trials Unit for the Tornado.
His experiences on that unit caused him to take his pension!
His experiences on that unit caused him to take his pension!
Cynicism improves with age
Re: Tornado final return
Ah! I recall all the joshing from the (real) fighter pilots at the time - MRCA
Mother Riley's Combat(/Committee) Aircraft
Must Refurbish Canberra Again
After all that, a good ship.
Mother Riley's Combat(/Committee) Aircraft
Must Refurbish Canberra Again
After all that, a good ship.
-
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 8327
- Joined: Tue May 02, 2017 10:14 pm
- Location: Wandering
- Fox3WheresMyBanana
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 12988
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:51 pm
- Location: Great White North
- Gender:
- Age: 61
Re: Tornado final return
This is my favourite Mach Loop video of the Tornado F3. There's an F-15 Beagle first for comparison.
Yup; in shot for 3 seconds and way lower, Where the f#ck did he come from? Where'd he go?? The point of low flying. And that's a fighter vs the USAF bomber.
Yup; in shot for 3 seconds and way lower, Where the f#ck did he come from? Where'd he go?? The point of low flying. And that's a fighter vs the USAF bomber.
- Ex-Ascot
- Test Pilot
- Posts: 13096
- Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015 7:16 am
- Location: Botswana but sometimes Greece
- Gender:
- Age: 68
Re: Tornado final return
Do we know if one is going to kept serviceable for airshows, such as they are these days thanks to Andy.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.
- ian16th
- Chief Pilot
- Posts: 10029
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2015 9:35 am
- Location: KZN South Coast with the bananas
- Gender:
- Age: 87
Re: Tornado final return
Adding one, or even two, to the BoB flight will cost a lot!
Cynicism improves with age