View Full Version : Anoraks on, chaps! Tornado GR question
Jackonicko
26th Jul 2005, 15:28
A question that manages to be dull, pointless and anorak all at the same time.
When did the final GR1 bow out? When was the last GR1 sortie?
Presumably XV(R) were the last operator of the type, and presumably the answer lies some time in 2002 or 2003. But when?
Can anyone put me out of my misery?
Bo Nalls
26th Jul 2005, 16:15
I believe that Boscombe still have one GR1 flying (ZA326?)
spinstallaeropfl
26th Jul 2005, 16:23
The GR1 was known as the 'classic' when the GR4 entered service...!
SSAP
Jackonicko
26th Jul 2005, 16:34
Bo Nalls,
Bizarrely, that's most useful to know, so thank you. I'll try and check that out.
Though I'd still like to know when the last Squadron aircraft flew their last sorties.
Jackonicko
26th Jul 2005, 17:53
I'm informed that warton may still have ZA327, ZA328, ZA354, and XZ631 as GR1s, too.
DP Harvey
26th Jul 2005, 17:55
Clicking on the Explorer "Back" button now...........
Olly O'Leg
26th Jul 2005, 18:55
Last course to fly it (I'm awaiting correction!!!) was 17 Main back in Feb/Mar 2002. The Navs never got hands on, but the pilots got to fly the Classic on the Pilot Convex only. I THINK!!!!!!!
:ok:
L Peacock
26th Jul 2005, 19:47
Jacko
Nope. All recently scrapped.
Is it reasonable to assume that the last RAF GR1 sortie would be the last GR1 to be delivered to Warton's MLU programme?
That info may be easier to pin down.
Jackonicko
26th Jul 2005, 21:38
Reasonable, but wrong!
The OCU (oh OK, XV (R) Squadron) definitely continued using the Batch 3 GR1s after the last later GR1 was inputted into the GR4 programme.....
overstress
26th Jul 2005, 23:33
SuperAnorak! Sorry, Jacko but this reminds me of the time I took a grey pointy F3 to an airshow and was accosted by a spotter who then lectured me as to how the same a/c had recently been operated by a different sqn...
but I suppose I appreciate that it fires someone's rockets...
Raymond Ginardon
27th Jul 2005, 11:18
Can confirm that GR1 is still flying at Boscombe :-) Particularly attractive paint scheme too........
Jackonicko
The last GR1 sortie I flew was at Lossie on 26 Jun 2002. The aircraft was ZA411 (a trainer - allocated codes TT by XV(R) at the time - assuming my logbook is accurate). That doesn't necessarily mean its permanent owner was XV(R) as it could have been on long or short term loan to 12 Sqn (SOP fleet management within Lossie, and between Lossie & Marham) or simply borrowed by 12 for 1 sortie as trainers were always in short supply. My bet was that it was seeing out its final days on 12 prior to going to Warton.
Up until roughly Apr 2002, all my XV(R) sorties were on GR1s. Thereafter, XV(R) swapped wholly to GR4s for all course training; only the odd GR1 retained as hacks until Jun/Jul for SCT or bouncing (I recall 2 or 3 parked at the end of the pan). This was to ensure ab initios were best prepared for the future (??). The overnight switch by XV(R) resulted in the op sqns which had been almost exclusively operating GR4s for some months to suddenly find themselves flying GR1s again - particularly trainers.
If anyone thinks my gen is wrong, I'll deny everything and change my log on! Cheers to all GR4 chaps out there - I miss the valleys but the water's lovely and warm outside.
Buster
(Can't spel for tofee)