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Flying with the RAF - Tornado F.3

Click to enlargeThe Tornado F.3 is the Air Defence Variant (ADV), and is typically armed with short-range (Sidewinder and ASRAAM) and medium-range (Skyflash) air-to-air missiles. 100 RAF F.3 Tornados have been upgraded to carry AIM-20 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

At the start of 2005 the Tornado F.3 was in service with the RAF at Leuchars (43(F) Squadron, 56(R) Squadron and 111(F) Squadron) and Leeming (11(F) Squadron and 25(F) Squadron). Additionally 1435 flight at Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands has four F.3's based there. In July 2004, the MOD announced that 11(F) Squadron would be disbanded in October 2005. 
Plans are in place, but are subject to constant review, to withdraw the Tornado F.3 in 2009, as the Typhoon takes over. 56(R) and 25(F) disbanded in April 2008 with its aircraft and operations taken over by 43(F) Squadron.

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A wing over by Tornado F.3 (ZE758 'DO') of 111(F) Squadron when flying in exercise Wycombe Warrior in October 2006.
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Left to right Tornado F.3's (ZE942 'DF' in still in its old 11 Squadron markings and ZE834 'HD') of 111(F) Squadron, ZE758 'DO' with 111(F) Squadron fin flash and old 11 Squadron badge on tail, ZE758 'DO' in company with ZG799 'HJ' in the latest 111(F) Squadron markings (note the roundel colours and darker grey) and ZE834 'HD' of 111(F) Squadron in October 2006 during exercise Wycombe Warrior, pilots were flying 3 hour 30 minute sorties.

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Tornado F.3s (ZE942 'DF' is still in its old 11(F) Squadron markings and ZE834 'HD') of 111(F) Squadron in October 2006 during exercise Wycombe Warrior.

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Tornado F.3's (ZE758 'DO' and ZG799 'HJ') of 111(F) Squadron, 'DO' still retains it old 11(F) Squadron badge in October 2006.

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Left to right: 43(F) Squadron Tornado F.3 (ZE887 'GF') in special scheme in October 2008 over Irish Sea. This aircraft was eventually withdrawn from service on March 4, 2010 having logged almost 5,000 hours. It was taken by road to St Athan on September 23 in preparation for preservation at the RAF Museum at Hendon. On October 18 it arrived at Hendon and was put on display there on November 25. As the aircraft of 43(F) Squadron's Commanding Officer it has a specially painted tail fin with the code 'GF' which stands for the Squadron's motto; 'Gloria Finis' (Glory is the end).

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Left to right: 43(F) Squadron Tornado F.3 (ZE764 'GL') in October 2008.

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Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE786 'TF') callsign 'Blacksmith' over North Sea in March 2008.
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43(F) Squadron Tornado F.3 (ZG757) in special 90th anniversary markings over North Sea in April 2007 and March 2008.

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Tornado F.3 (ZE838 'GH') of 43(F) Squadron when flying from Florennes Air Base in Belgium as part of the TLP 2004-4 exercise.
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Tornado F.3's (ZE165 'GE' and ZE838 'GH') of 43(F) Squadron 'Fighting Cocks' based at RAF Leuchars when flying from Florennes Air Base in Belgium as part of the TLP 2004-4 exercise in September 2004.

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43(F) Squadron Tornado F.3 's (ZE257 'GI' and ZG798 'GQ') over North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007.

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Tornado F.3's (ZE200 'UM' and ZE295 'DC') using callsign 'Nitro' when with 11(F) Squadron at RAF Leeming in 2004.

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Tornado F.3 (ZE288 'HA') of 111(F) Squadron from RAF Leuchars in May 2005.

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Tornado F.3 (ZE155) of BAE Systems at Warton, conducting missile firing trials, in July 2005 over Irish Sea (AARA 13). Note the small tail mounted camera.

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Tornado F.3's callsign 'Macho 21' (ZE157 'TY' and ZG755 'GL') operating with 43(F) Squadron the F.3 coded 'TY' was painted in 56(R) Squadron colours in May 2006.

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Tornado F.3 (ZE254 'UD') of 25(F) Squadron (minus squadron badge) from RAF Leeming in 2005.

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Left to right: 25(F) Squadron Tornado F.3 (ZE907 'DA' and ZE763 'FJ') using callsign 'Volatile' in May 2006.

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Left to right: 111(F) Squadron Tornado F.3's (ZE968 'H'B and ZH555 'PT') over the North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007.