There were three ADV prototypes, all F2s, A01 (ZA254), A02 (ZA267) and A03 (ZA283), and A01 and A02 were used for the initial envelope expansion trials which meant that they had to get to the high speed/g/AOA conditions required. The 2250l tank trials started at Boscombe in June 1987 using and this fit would have been flown at Warton prior to this. These tanks were cleared to 1.3M in 63 wing in July 1987 which was interesting! These trials were flown in A01 (which could actually be flown solo because the IN control panel was in the front cockpit although all of these sorties were flown 2 crew). The standard missile configuration for handling trials was 4 x AIM9L and 2 x Skyflash on the rear stations in order to give the most aft cg position and thus the most adverse handling characteristics. In level flight with Combat power it was possible to sustain only 1.05M so the turns at 1.3M and maximum g/AOA were steep nose down to say the least but we did get there and the handling was benign. Needless to say, the VC-10 tanker that was in support was kept busy on this 3 hour sortie!
GR1 2250l tank trials had started at Boscombe by October 1987 so this was not associated with Op Granby. This clearance was only to 0.92M as per the 1500l tanks as a supersonic clearance was not required.
The final flight of a F2 was on 30 November 2011. This was ZD902, an F2A, which was the highly modified Tornado Integrated Avionics Research Aircraft (TIARA). This had been modified and operated initially by RAE Farnborough in the early '90s. It was also the last military aircraft to leave Farnborough when it ceased to be a MoD airfield, on 18 October 1994.
What would we do without logbooks ...