ExAscoteer2
Did the F3 have the capability of an unrefuelled transatlntic crossing?
Yes! As per my previous post.
A Tornado F3, ZE155, flew unrefuelled in ferry fit non-stop across the Atlantic from Goose Bay to Warton on 24 Sep 1987. It was the first RAF fighter aircraft to do so without air-to-air refuelling. The flight took 4 hours 45 minutes.
You are of course correct that Blue Spruce isn’t in the NATS, my poorly written post, but it is detailed within NAT Doc 007 which is what I was trying to point out. There is not much chance of an F3 flying at FL285+ in the cruise in Ferry Fit, hence it would have been below the NAT tracks. I suspect it cruised between FL150 and FL200 for most of the transit in that fit. Even clean, ie. with no tanks, the aircraft didn’t like cruising above FL330, but it could get above FL500 (allegedly
) if you were doing M1.2+. But then you would be in min reheat and so you wouldn’t be up there for too long!