Boscombe Down's Panavia Tornado F.3s
Panavia Tornado F.2 - ZD937 AQ
The Panavia Tornado came out of the concept of the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). There were two versions developed the ADV (Air Defence Version) and the IDS (Interdictor/Strike).
The ADV version of the Tornado was designed to intercept Soviet bombers at long range using missiles such as Skyflash, or if things got in close, Sidewinders, and still closer, a 27mm Mauser cannon. The initial variant of the ADV Tornado was the F.2 (shown on the left). This was followed by the F.3 variant which is the subject of this web page.
The first F.2s entered RAF service in November 1984 with the F.3s coming on strength from July 1986. Other air forces that used the F.3 were the Saudi Arabian and Italian (24 airframes leased from the RAF).
While the IDS (Interdictor/Strike) remains in service in the form of the GR.4 (retired in 2019), the RAF retired its Tornado F.3s on the 22 March 2011, however, that was not quite the end. Several airframes found their way to the Wiltshire airfield of Boscombe Down for use by QinetiQ.
It has recently come to my attention that the final flights of the F.3s at Boscombe occurred on 18 June 2012. This then ends another chapter of UK aviation history.
There is also an F.2A Tornado (TIARA) ZD902 located at Boscombe (since sold to Jet Art). The aircraft has been grounded and was observed at the airfield during a visit in June 2013. The F.2A is still complete and was located on jacks to allow all controls to operated by hydraulic power.
Tornado GR.1 ZA326 had until recently been located at Boscombe but has now moved into preservation. Information relating to this can be found here - www.za326.com
The F.3s shown below are -
The ADV version of the Tornado was designed to intercept Soviet bombers at long range using missiles such as Skyflash, or if things got in close, Sidewinders, and still closer, a 27mm Mauser cannon. The initial variant of the ADV Tornado was the F.2 (shown on the left). This was followed by the F.3 variant which is the subject of this web page.
The first F.2s entered RAF service in November 1984 with the F.3s coming on strength from July 1986. Other air forces that used the F.3 were the Saudi Arabian and Italian (24 airframes leased from the RAF).
While the IDS (Interdictor/Strike) remains in service in the form of the GR.4 (retired in 2019), the RAF retired its Tornado F.3s on the 22 March 2011, however, that was not quite the end. Several airframes found their way to the Wiltshire airfield of Boscombe Down for use by QinetiQ.
It has recently come to my attention that the final flights of the F.3s at Boscombe occurred on 18 June 2012. This then ends another chapter of UK aviation history.
There is also an F.2A Tornado (TIARA) ZD902 located at Boscombe (since sold to Jet Art). The aircraft has been grounded and was observed at the airfield during a visit in June 2013. The F.2A is still complete and was located on jacks to allow all controls to operated by hydraulic power.
Tornado GR.1 ZA326 had until recently been located at Boscombe but has now moved into preservation. Information relating to this can be found here - www.za326.com
The F.3s shown below are -
- ZE794 coded FL - formerly with No XXV (Fighter) Squadron RAF Leeming
- ZE203 coded GA - formerly with No 43 Squadron (Fighting Cocks) RAF Leuchars
- ZH552 coded HW - formerly with No 111 (Fighter) Squadron RAF Leuchars
Page Index - Aircraft Within This Gallery -
Panavia Tornado F.2 - ZD937 AQ - Panavia Tornado F.3 - ZE794 FL - Panavia Tornado F.3 - ZE203 GA
Panavia Tornado F.3 - ZH552 HW
Panavia Tornado F.2 - ZD937 AQ - Panavia Tornado F.3 - ZE794 FL - Panavia Tornado F.3 - ZE203 GA
Panavia Tornado F.3 - ZH552 HW