Tornado GR4 last flight
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That retro paint job looks superb!
I remember in 1979 or 1980 when the first 'wraparound' painted Vulcan arrived at Scampton for six-seventeen squadron - it too looked very smart.
In 1982 there was actually a study to investigate whether the Tornado could be used in the South Atlantic War. Although Tornado documentation was rather secret squirrel, when an ODM was finally made available the planners dissolved into fits of giggles when they started some calculations....
Not a strategic asset, but excellent work in GW1.
I remember in 1979 or 1980 when the first 'wraparound' painted Vulcan arrived at Scampton for six-seventeen squadron - it too looked very smart.
In 1982 there was actually a study to investigate whether the Tornado could be used in the South Atlantic War. Although Tornado documentation was rather secret squirrel, when an ODM was finally made available the planners dissolved into fits of giggles when they started some calculations....
Not a strategic asset, but excellent work in GW1.
They got 2 Buccs down there in 1983, so surely the Tornado could have made it?
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I'm sure they would have been capable of tanking there and back from Ascension but based on my GW1 experience, I'm certain they would have run out of engine oil.
The early Mk101 engines had a pretty inefficient Breather system that allowed a fair amount of oil to be discharged overboard from the external gearbox.
This resulted in relatively high oil consumption (HOC).
The spec was 0,5l/hr which most engines achieved but the trend increased with age.
High speed low level also increased oil consumption.
The usable oil was about 8.5l and hence engines using more than the limit could have been oil limited.
This was resolved by improving the engine internal oil system and gearbox breather system as well as increasing the usable oil content.
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Whatever they didn't sell at the Marham Enthusiast's Day today should be listed later, I would have thought.
I bought the set.
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That was the biggest risk at that time.
The early Mk101 engines had a pretty inefficient Breather system that allowed a fair amount of oil to be discharged overboard from the external gearbox.
This resulted in relatively high oil consumption (HOC).
The spec was 0,5l/hr which most engines achieved but the trend increased with age.
High speed low level also increased oil consumption.
The usable oil was about 8.5l and hence engines using more than the limit could have been oil limited.
This was resolved by improving the engine internal oil system and gearbox breather system as well as increasing the usable oil content.
The early Mk101 engines had a pretty inefficient Breather system that allowed a fair amount of oil to be discharged overboard from the external gearbox.
This resulted in relatively high oil consumption (HOC).
The spec was 0,5l/hr which most engines achieved but the trend increased with age.
High speed low level also increased oil consumption.
The usable oil was about 8.5l and hence engines using more than the limit could have been oil limited.
This was resolved by improving the engine internal oil system and gearbox breather system as well as increasing the usable oil content.
A thought regarding TTTE.
The Cottesmore S Met O, Pat Stevens, was a very innovative and proactive scientist and pioneered very early use of computer displays to disseminate Met. around the base. This was in spite of official [Met Office] lack of enthusiasm. TTTE were well served by his office. Thank you Pat!
The Cottesmore S Met O, Pat Stevens, was a very innovative and proactive scientist and pioneered very early use of computer displays to disseminate Met. around the base. This was in spite of official [Met Office] lack of enthusiasm. TTTE were well served by his office. Thank you Pat!
As an Air Cadet , I saw the Vailant ta Marham (and sat in it). There was a Tornado in one of the Hangars as well. It was 1981. As others have said, it was in service with the RAF then.
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The Mk103 engine was initially fitted to the Germany based squadrons. I don't know when the Mk101 was finally retired but we were certainly still using them at Honington in 1989. I would imagine that TTTE were the last unit to use them.
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Looks like there will be a flypast tour
From the BBC website. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-47013735
"The jet's capabilities will be transferred to the Typhoon and there is set to be a "finale flypast" around the UK to commemorate places that have contributed to the Tornado over the years, according to Station Commander Group Captain Ian Townsend."
It also mentions a flypast at Marham on 14th March for the disbandment parades.
"The jet's capabilities will be transferred to the Typhoon and there is set to be a "finale flypast" around the UK to commemorate places that have contributed to the Tornado over the years, according to Station Commander Group Captain Ian Townsend."
It also mentions a flypast at Marham on 14th March for the disbandment parades.
The only difference was the longer 104 Exhaust System and the DECU.
The capability for significantly longer flights was the result of improvements to the oil system that reduced oil consumption.
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Vaguely remember two RAF Coningsby, 229 OCU F2 aircraft, doing an oil usage trial by flying non-stop to Cyprus, cleaning the cockpit out on return took a little while longer than usual, and there was something on the outbound trip about the rumoured use of HF and a possible UFCM, but age and memory maybe has affected my recollections. I believe oil consumption was not considered an issue after this. Maybe someone remembers some more detail and can confirm, or refute, those recollections.
Also from my perspective from working on virtually all marks of Tornado, I will miss the sight and sounds of them flying around, hope I see some of the flypasts around my way.
Also from my perspective from working on virtually all marks of Tornado, I will miss the sight and sounds of them flying around, hope I see some of the flypasts around my way.
