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LAST TORNADO ADV FLIGHT

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LAST TORNADO ADV FLIGHT

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Old 5th Jul 2012, 14:57
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LAST TORNADO ADV FLIGHT

I've been told that the last flight of the ADV took place today. Can anyone confirm this and give some details, ie was it an RAF or Qinetic aircraft. very sad day if it's true.

Last edited by Fishtailed; 5th Jul 2012 at 16:38.
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 16:44
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The ADVs at Boscombe will be QinetiQ. From the enthusiast forums. Tornado F3, serial ZH552 / HW went low level through the Mach Loop, LFA7, Wales today. Later landed at RAF Leeming.

View topic - Tornado F3 - Final flights imminent?

Tornado F3 into Leeming • FighterControl • Military Aviation Forum
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 17:13
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Thanks TEEEJ, maybe there's a chance to see it on Monday.
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 17:22
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End of an era. The F3 was never loved but it was sadly under estimated. Another victim of our procurement system.
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 18:16
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No problem, Fishtailed. Keep an eye on the following. No doubt there will be images posted over the next few days of the F3 through the Mach Loop and from Boscombe/Leeming?

View forum - Modern Military Photos
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 20:58
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Geehovah,

She was loved by we that flew her in her later years, but, yes, grossly underestimated in many circles. A few years before we have a remember the F3 thread, I think.
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 21:49
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Yup, I loved my time on F3 and I look back on my 1800hrs with great fondness - it did prove that you could polish one of Warton's finest turds...eventually!

That said, the F15A wasn't all that until the C Model came along having had a bucket of $$$$ spent on it.

LJ
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 21:56
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ZH552 features in my log book a couple of times, a night 4v4 affil and a JMC with AAR marathon (weren't they all?); she probably enjoyed her last trip 'through the loop' a bit more than those particular two...
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 21:56
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And in the early days, the look on the face of a DACT-losing wonderjet pilot was priceless, since he could blame nothing but himself!

ZH552 1v2 ACT Nov 92, when it must have been shiny-new as I picked up ZH556 & 557 from the factory two months later.

JMC 911- six sorties and not a single AAR; I believe they were a bit busy somewhere sandy at the time. I've had up to 4 on one sortie all the rest of the time though...

Last edited by Fox3WheresMyBanana; 6th Jul 2012 at 01:22.
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 22:45
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Final F3 did a circuit and single pass e-w at Warton at 15.20 BST before departing to the east.

EG
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Old 5th Jul 2012, 23:19
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At least the ADV will live on with the NHCs fitted in GR4s,(though the Italians bought new ones for their upgrade).
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Old 6th Jul 2012, 00:49
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Not the best, not the worst, yet did the job. Came into its own in in latter years (EF3) but sadly was underfunded. Admiration to all aircrew and groundcrew who worked long hours to achieve the task.
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Old 6th Jul 2012, 14:01
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@Geehovah
Actually, I loved the F3 - and it was far more capable in its latter days than ever planned. I can look back on some great memories working with some great people on the F3 force.
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Old 6th Jul 2012, 14:27
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Yesterday's sortie was indeed the final one for '552' but there are still 3 other F3s at Boscombe that are to be flown out on their final sorties to Leeming. The aircraft were all still RAF but allotted to QinetiQ for trials that are now complete. Monday could be an interesting and nostalgic day!
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Old 6th Jul 2012, 15:35
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Preserved ADVs/F3s?

Any idea how many are going to survive? Sweet memories from LEU....

S41
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Old 6th Jul 2012, 16:05
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For those of you that have not got the time to look..

Here is the link

What an amazing photographer.. Those photographs speak volumes about that person's abilities
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Old 6th Jul 2012, 18:01
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@Geehovah
Actually, I loved the F3 - and it was far more capable in its latter days than ever planned. I can look back on some great memories working with some great people on the F3 force.


I was involved in moving the F2 forward through GW1 mods to Stage 2 but the concept took too long to impliment. A longer range MRAM, ASRAAM and JTIDs were core capability. Defensive aids lagged behind and never really achieved full funding. Procurement ££ as always. I'm with you in your sentiment.

Last edited by Geehovah; 6th Jul 2012 at 18:11.
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 10:22
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Planned Tornado F3 flypasts for today. The final three F3s are due out of Boscombe at 1300. Apparently Leuchars and Coningsby are on the schedule before landing at Leeming.

See following link

View topic - Tornado F3 - Final flights imminent?
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 10:57
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Any idea how many are going to survive? Sweet memories from LEU....
The fate of those already out of service can be found at Demobbed
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 12:39
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The last 3 just got airborne from EGDM, 1315hrs local.

Very nice flypast in vic down the flightline then departed off to the west.

End of an era, 'Twas a great jet at the end......

Last edited by Craven Moorhed; 9th Jul 2012 at 12:40.
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