Hey Rhino - don't be put off; always enjoy your posts:ok:

Never mind the paintjob, when's the massive hangar party at Honington? My VIP invitation as one of the first wave seems to have been lost in the post.

Not just IX but anybody who has been involved with this brilliant aircraft programme in whatever capacity can rightly feel immensely proud of what has been and still is being achieved.

It took the RAF operational capability to a new level and despite being termed a relic of the Cold War, we have to remember that it was not simply designed to fight against Iraq, Libya, Syria etc but to be capable of attacking and destroying heavily defended targets deep into the Soviet Union.

I was involved in the development, production and support of Tornado's RB199 engines It was the most difficult yet exciting experience of my working life.

Well done to all who have made Tornado such a success.

Cheers! :)

-RP

Thank god the Jaguar force on its disbandment had John Sullivan. Jaguar Force Excellence was his motto and that is how the Jagaur was celebrated in the crushed end that it was allowed. Every Jaguar Sqn recognised. I hope Marhams management plan the same. However I doubt it, Marham is BAES Lockhead Martin JSF now.

31 Squadron special colour scheme.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....962aa68557.jpg

Another nice looking paint job, I wonder what the chances are of seeing a 'special' tail for each of the squadrons that operated the GR.1/4?

-RP

Are there enough left to make that possible? I can think of 12 squadrons, plus TWCU (45 Squadron) and TTTE.

I imagine it would require the approach adopted for an anniversary of the Lightning (and later the Buccaneer) where aircraft from the remaining squadrons were painted up in the markings of those units which had also operated it (thus the last Buccaneer in 809 NAS markings was seen about 15 years after 809 had ceased to exist as a Bucc squadron). Lightning example below (can't find the credit for the photographer, so gratitude to someone anonymous).

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....139c139708.jpg

Looks like there is a 3rd special colour scheme!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....0fecc66ea9.jpg

Pity AOC 1 Gp doesn't know the difference between compliment and complement!

Was that giant fin meant to be a Texas style billboard or what?

If we haven't enough aircraft left, why not paint each side of the fin with a different unit badge? At least that way the jet and units would be recognised for
the outstanding service given over the years.

Thanks to all those who are trying to se the old girl leaves service properly recognised.