Tornado GR4 last flight
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My photo doesn’t really match the exemplary videos and other photos posted on this thread but I just wanted to add a personal thanks to all Tornado crews who frequented Norwich Airport on practice approaches. I’ll miss the sight and sound of the Tonka from the VCR.
For a good couple of years before the general ban on the Mach Loop, the Tornado Force had been clamping down on unprofessional flying of the type seen in those videos. There was a small handful of crews responsible for most of it and they were counselled appropriately. Frankly I wouldn't be surprised if the Loop ban is made permanent; it had effectively become a venue for unauthorised display flying. Which is what non-SOP flying (reheat, aggressive valley flying in 67 wing, Typhoons twinkle rolling etc) for the benefit of an external audience actually is.
This thread has, quite rightly, become a tribute to the courage, professionalism and service of all those associated with the Tornado. Let’s not spoil it by a debate on flying discipline, but let’s not have any more “Mach loop “videos.
Last edited by Timelord; 2nd Mar 2019 at 20:11.
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It's not the responsibility of the general public to protect professional military pilots from repercussions of their unprofessional conduct in a tax payer funded asset. If those in high risk environments cannot be held to account, then it becomes toxic - somebody will die if it's allowed to escalate. This covers many professions, not just aviation. It's better to lose a career than it is for a child to lose a mother or father......
Originally Posted by Timelord
This thread has, quite rightly, become a tribute to the courage, professionalism and service of all those associated with the Tornado. Let’s not spoil it by a debate on flying discipline
Back on the positive note, some more videos are being posted of the nine-ship. This one has a more distant viewpoint than the earlier ones, but shows them rolling into and out of each of their formation passes. Very slick indeed for a group of non-display crews.
Edit: posting the clip below to start mid-way (as youtu.be/F1sSRWWcprg?t=190) isn't working for some reason... unless you like to see lots of takeoffs then go straight to 3:10s.
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May I say how well the 9 ship was lead and flown. Having done more than a few over the past 45 years it is no mean feat.
The leading was well planned and very well executed. Despite a few wobbles the formation hung on very well.
The one low point was the VRIAB with 10 second intervals. I know that a Fan Break would have been out of the question, however, 2 seconds or even 5 seconds would have been so much slicker.
From an Old and Bold Fighter Pilot - Well Done
The leading was well planned and very well executed. Despite a few wobbles the formation hung on very well.
The one low point was the VRIAB with 10 second intervals. I know that a Fan Break would have been out of the question, however, 2 seconds or even 5 seconds would have been so much slicker.
From an Old and Bold Fighter Pilot - Well Done
The one low point was the VRIAB with 10 second intervals. I know that a Fan Break would have been out of the question, however, 2 seconds or even 5 seconds would have been so much slicker.
Another great little clip:
Last edited by Easy Street; 3rd Mar 2019 at 17:24.
Nice videos... in the first, looks like the two jets in the spine of the diamond are sitting forward, but you can't tell that in the external views - presumably they've been whipped there? As with the other clips, a massive thumbs-up for the smoothness and stability during the roll-in. Well done the Grey Arrows!
Last edited by Easy Street; 4th Mar 2019 at 18:14.
That video shows to me, a mere earthling, what hard work went into the formation.
Hat off to the aircrew, the aircraft, the maintainers and the station. Thank you so much.
Hat off to the aircrew, the aircraft, the maintainers and the station. Thank you so much.
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Damn, I couldn't be there!
I would have kept a Squadron of F3s and GR4s as a kind of Reserve or Air National Guard..
I would have kept a Squadron of F3s and GR4s as a kind of Reserve or Air National Guard..
