In Action
111(Fighter) Squadron - RAF Leuchars

The 'Tremblers'

In 1989 111(F) Squadron received its first Tornado F.3's and on March 22, 2011 after more than 25 years service the Tornado F.3 was retired from operational service and 111(F) was disbanded.

Low Level Flying Action

Tornado F.3 (ZE201 'HU') in June 2010

On March 22 111(Fighter) Squadron disbanded at RAF Leuchars having handed over the Northern Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties to the Typhoon's of 6 Squadron. Six days later the last three of the 'Tremblers' Tornado F.3's using call-signs 'Scimitar 1 to 3' were flown to RAF Leeming. The short flight from Scotland to North Yorkshire was made at low level with the specially painted jet (ZE734 'JU') of Wing Commander Mark Gorringe, Officer Commanding 111(F) Squadron in the lead. Trailing behind separated by five seconds was Tornado F.3 (ZE791) with a recently painted tail inscribed 'Tornado F3 25 Years' with Tornado F.3 (ZH554 'HX') with a the code 'JU-C' applied to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain following. These were the last three RAF Tornado F.3's to be delivered to Leeming as part of the Return to Produce (RTP) program, where all useful parts are 'harvested' to keep the Tornado GR.4 fleet flying. These images taken in Cumbria at 13:24 on March 28 and were the last to be taken of an RAF Tornado F.3 at low level, just 15 minutes later they were touching down for the final time. QinetiQ at Boscombe Down will continue to fly four or five Tornado F.3's, including one former 111(F) aircraft (ZE961 'HB') delivered there on March 24.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE734 'JU', ZE791 and ZH554 'HX' 'JU-C') using callsigns 'Scimitar 1 to 3' of 111(F) Squadron on their final flight from Leuchars to Leeming on March 28, 2011.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE763 'HD') on its way to Leeming for scrapping in March 2011.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE983 'HL') in the Lake District in June 2010.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE201 'HU') in the Lake District in June 2010. 

Tornado F.3 (ZE158 'HG') at low level in August 2005.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE734 'JU') in 111 Squadron special colours on its way back to Leuchars from RIAT at Fairford in July 2009. It was using callsign 'Leuchars 36' and flown by a US Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilot on exchange from NAS Miramar. 

Air to Air Action

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE288 'HA') over North Sea in 2005, Tornado F.3 (ZG799 'HD') over North Sea in October 2006 when taking part in exercise 'Wycombe Warrior'.

A wing over by Tornado F.3 (ZE758) in October 2006.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE968 'HB') when with QinetiQ / Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS) at Boscombe Down over the North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZH555 'PT') over the North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007.

On Base Action

Tornado F.3 (ZE961 'HB') in the colours of the now disbanded 111(F) Squadron as been with the Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS) at QinetiQ based at Boscombe Down for at least four years when seen on approach to its home base in December 2011.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE734 'JU') and Tornado F.3 (ZE791) inscribed on tail 'Tornado F3 25 Years' at Leuchars in March 2011.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE342 'HP', ZE983 'HL' and ZH554 'HX JU-C') at Leuchars in March 2011.

Left to right: Tornado F.3 (ZE168 'HH') at Leuchars in March 2011.