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Air to Air Photography
Flying with the RAF - Tornado
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Panavia Tornado GR.4/4A
Initially the designated the GR.1 when it
entered service in 1980, 142 Tornado's were later upgraded to GR.4/4A standard as a mid
life update, entering service in 1998. It is the RAF's primary long-range strike attack
aircraft and is fitted on each side of the nose two 25mm cannons. Capable of flying in all
weather and at low level, using its terrain-following, ground-mapping radar. It has
Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and linescan imaging systems to help fulfil its
reconnaissance role, along with a 'RAPTOR' (Reconnaissance Airborne Pod TORnado)
reconnaissance pod. For close air support and interdiction, the aircraft would be equipped
with iron bombs, cluster bombs and laser-guided bombs. In the defence suppression role, it
is equipped with anti-radar missiles. The Tornado GR.4/4A can also carry 'TIALD' (Thermal
Imaging and Laser Designator) pod, first introduced during the first Gulf War in
1990.
The latest weapon systems employed include the
Storm Shadow cruise missile system and the Brimstone anti-armour weapon.
The Tornado GR.4/4A is in service with the RAF
at Marham (2 Squadron with GR.4/GR.4A, 9 Squadron with GR.4, 13 Squadron with GR.4/GR.4A and 31 Squadron);
Lossiemouth (12 Squadron, 14 Squadron, 15(R) Squadron and 617 Squadron all with GR.4's). The FJ&W OEU has around five GR.4's on strength, and will 'borrow' aircraft from other squadrons, as and when required. |
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Tornado GR.4 (ZD749/AP)
callsign 'Batman' of 9 Squadron.
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Tornado GR.4's (ZD749/AP and ZG771/AZ)
callsign 'Batman' of 9 Squadron based at RAF Marham in 2004.
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Left to right: Tornado GR.4 (ZA462/AJ-P)
callsign 'Vandal' of 617 Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth, inscribed '1943-2003' on tail
in red, Tornado GR.4
(ZA549/AJ-Z) of 617 Squadron in 2004. |
Tornado GR.4 (ZG756/BX) in 14 Squadron special 90th anniversary markings from
RAF Lossiemouth in 2005. |
Left to right: Tornado GR.4 ('DE') of 31 Squadron from RAF Marham. During 2006 a 3 number coding system applied to the tail of GR.4's was introduced. Tornado GR.4 (ZD748/096) in April 2007. |
Panavia Tornado F.3
 The 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 Tornado's have been upgraded to carry AIM-20
AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.
The Tornado F.3 is in service with the RAF at
Leuchars (43 Squadron, 56(R) Squadron and 111 Squadron) and Leeming (11 Squadron and 25 Squadron). Additionally
1435 flight at Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands has 4 F.3's based there. In July 2004, the
MOD announced that one squadron of Tornado F.3's will be disbanded in October 2005. |
A wing over by Tornado F.3 (ZE758/DO) of 111 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 Squadron, ZE758/DO with 111 Squadron fin flash and old 11 Squadron badge on tail, ZE758/DO in company with ZG799/HJ in the latest 111 Squadron markings (note roundel colours and darker grey) and ZE834/HD of 111 Squadron. |
(ZE942/DF in still in its old 11 Squadron markings and ZE834/HD) of 111 Squadron in October 2006. |
Tornado F.3's (ZE758/DO and ZG799/HJ) of 111 Squadron, 'DO' still retains it old 11 Squadron badge in October 2006. |
| Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE786/TF) call-sign 'Blacksmith' over North Sea in March 2008. |
43 Squadron Tornado F.3 (ZG757) in special 90th anniversary markings over North Sea in April 2007 and March 2008. |
| Tornado F.3 (ZE838/GH) of 43 squadron when
flying from Florennes Air Base in Belgium as part of the TLP 2004-4 exercise. |
Tornado F.3's (ZE165/GE and ZE838/GH) of 43 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. |
43 Squadron Tornado F.3 's (ZE257/GI and ZG798/GQ) over North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007. |
Tornado F.3's (ZE200/UM and
ZE295/DC) using callsign 'Nitro' when with 11 Squadron at RAF Leeming in 2004. |
Tornado F.3 (ZE288/HA) of 111 Squadron from RAF Leuchars in May 2005. |
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. |
Tornado F.3's callsign 'Macho 21' (ZE157/TY and ZG755/GL) operating with 43 Squadron the F.3 coded 'TY' was painted in 56(R) Squadron colours in May 2006. |
Tornado F.3 (ZE254/UD) of 25 Squadron (minus squadron badge) from RAF Leeming in 2005. |
Left to right: 25 Squadron Tornado F.3 (ZE907/DA and ZE763/FJ) using callsign 'Volatile' in May 2006. |
Left to right: 111 Squadron Tornado F.3's (ZE968/HB and ZH555/PT) over the North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007. |
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