Tornados
I know many of you lads slag the Jag, I however think it’s a sexy beast.
The photo was taken after the Bruggen wing landed from the Strike launch at the end of Taceval (possibly Maxeval, can't remember). 40-odd ac, all flying round the North German Plain at 250-500ft, usually in pretty crap weather, hitting simulated targets before bombing on Nordhorn Range with 30 second separation, then returning to Bruggen to land. And from start-up to taxi in, the only words on the radio were "check gear down, clear to land".
Most of the ac had flown but a couple of spares were needed and towed on at the back to make the photo.
Sadly, I was on leave so didn't make the pic, though talking to the guys afterwards, I'm glad I wasn't as it was a pfaff.
You may see that someone raised their flaps instead of leaving them at Take-Off. Luckily they were near the back.
I have a colour copy of this picture framed and mounted on one of my walls.
Tornado - the most capable ground attack aircraft, ever.
Most of the ac had flown but a couple of spares were needed and towed on at the back to make the photo.
Sadly, I was on leave so didn't make the pic, though talking to the guys afterwards, I'm glad I wasn't as it was a pfaff.
You may see that someone raised their flaps instead of leaving them at Take-Off. Luckily they were near the back.
I have a colour copy of this picture framed and mounted on one of my walls.
Tornado - the most capable ground attack aircraft, ever.
The Staish at Laarbruch (the legendary Gordon McRobbie) saw that Bruggen pic - ergo the next summer, we were all out on the piano keys - trying to go one better with a load of station personnel and equipment
I don’t post much and some of the comments here are probably part of the reason.
The photo, or a copy of it, hangs in my study as I’m in it and it is a Wing Photo of part of the RAFG Strike/Attack capability in 1987. The rest were the sqns at Larbruch and Gutersloh, as well all the U.K. based sqns of Buccs, Harriers, Jaguars and the AD sqns.
It”s the Bruggen Wing, correctly identified as IX, 14, 17 and 31 Sqns. There are 48 aircraft in the picture, 12 from each Sqn and they were towed there by very proud and conscientious ground crew not wingers who weren’t in it. At the time we were in the frontline of the Cold War and although cold in terms of bullets flying around we took it extremely seriously and as a result of our dedication and, for some, great sacrifices, we won, only to hand the World over to the people who created the current balls up. Some of those photographed didn’t return from what happened 4 years later and we remember them
Take the p..s all you like, just make sure that if it’s ever your turn you are up for it.
The photo, or a copy of it, hangs in my study as I’m in it and it is a Wing Photo of part of the RAFG Strike/Attack capability in 1987. The rest were the sqns at Larbruch and Gutersloh, as well all the U.K. based sqns of Buccs, Harriers, Jaguars and the AD sqns.
It”s the Bruggen Wing, correctly identified as IX, 14, 17 and 31 Sqns. There are 48 aircraft in the picture, 12 from each Sqn and they were towed there by very proud and conscientious ground crew not wingers who weren’t in it. At the time we were in the frontline of the Cold War and although cold in terms of bullets flying around we took it extremely seriously and as a result of our dedication and, for some, great sacrifices, we won, only to hand the World over to the people who created the current balls up. Some of those photographed didn’t return from what happened 4 years later and we remember them
Take the p..s all you like, just make sure that if it’s ever your turn you are up for it.
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Yes, the photograph in the opening post has been reversed. The original was entitled 'The Bruggen 40', showing forty of Bruggen's 52 aircraft. If I remember correctly each squadron was established for 16 crews, 12 strike aircraft plus one trainer (which was strike capable).
See the front cover: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Winged-Warriors-Hardback/p/3594"Once 9 Squadron arrived from RAF Honington, the Bruggen Wing was complete. Our new Station Commander thought it would be a good idea to have the Wing lined up on the main runway for a series of photographs. The Wing flying standards instructor, who went by the title of STANEVAL (F), standards and evaluation flying, was landed with the job. This was my former Canberra instructor from 1973, Mike Dineen, who was now also a squadron leader. The day in question was cold and damp and Mike received little sympathy or understanding as he tried to assemble the massed aircrew all feeling decidedly stroppy. It must have been like herding cats!
The photographer was a well known Fleet Street photographer, the late Terry Fincher, and at one stage when he was high up at the top of a huge gantry called a ‘cherry picker’ he announced that at long last everyone was in the right place. He then looked more closely at the aircrew to find that all the officers behind the Station executives were nicely lined up as ordered, except they were all wearing their flying helmets back to front. However, the final photographs taken by Terry were magnificent. The sight of ‘the Bruggen 40’ and their crews could only be described as awesome. That one photograph dramatically captured something of the meaning of the Cold War."
And a number of those pictured were casualties of a Cold War that was not yet over. Others fell in training and the conflicts that followed. They are all worthy of a salute, especially this month, as are those who kept that magnificent aircraft in the air.
See the front cover: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Winged-Warriors-Hardback/p/3594"Once 9 Squadron arrived from RAF Honington, the Bruggen Wing was complete. Our new Station Commander thought it would be a good idea to have the Wing lined up on the main runway for a series of photographs. The Wing flying standards instructor, who went by the title of STANEVAL (F), standards and evaluation flying, was landed with the job. This was my former Canberra instructor from 1973, Mike Dineen, who was now also a squadron leader. The day in question was cold and damp and Mike received little sympathy or understanding as he tried to assemble the massed aircrew all feeling decidedly stroppy. It must have been like herding cats!
The photographer was a well known Fleet Street photographer, the late Terry Fincher, and at one stage when he was high up at the top of a huge gantry called a ‘cherry picker’ he announced that at long last everyone was in the right place. He then looked more closely at the aircrew to find that all the officers behind the Station executives were nicely lined up as ordered, except they were all wearing their flying helmets back to front. However, the final photographs taken by Terry were magnificent. The sight of ‘the Bruggen 40’ and their crews could only be described as awesome. That one photograph dramatically captured something of the meaning of the Cold War."
And a number of those pictured were casualties of a Cold War that was not yet over. Others fell in training and the conflicts that followed. They are all worthy of a salute, especially this month, as are those who kept that magnificent aircraft in the air.
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The Bruggen picture was published in the Sunday Express on 29 March 1987. On 30 March we began the Wing TACEVAL exercise which would declare the entire Bruggen Tornado Wing in its strike/attack role. The exercise began with the Option Alpha launch with 14 Sqn in the lead, OC 14 Sqn, Joe Whitfield, at the front. Brakes off at 0900. At 0907, Bruggen lost its first Tornado. No. 2 ended up in a field near the village of Hunxe! The TACEVAL team took one step back until it was clear that the crew were OK (ish). The Station Commander, John Houghton, took the very brave decision to continue the TACEVAL which, of course, the Wing passed with flying colours.
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20 Sqn and our Jags, except the third or fourth on the left i think, that was borrowed from another Sqn and bodge tape codes added as ours was away on a major
The Bruggen picture was published in the Sunday Express on 29 March 1987. On 30 March we began the Wing TACEVAL exercise which would declare the entire Bruggen Tornado Wing in its strike/attack role. The exercise began with the Option Alpha launch with 14 Sqn in the lead, OC 14 Sqn, Joe Whitfield, at the front. Brakes off at 0900. At 0907, Bruggen lost its first Tornado. No. 2 ended up in a field near the village of Hunxe! The TACEVAL team took one step back until it was clear that the crew were OK (ish). The Station Commander, John Houghton, took the very brave decision to continue the TACEVAL which, of course, the Wing passed with flying colours.
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Can you recall what was the cause of the aircraft loss?
Vividly! The joint connecting the right taileron operating lever to its actuator ram failed resulting in the taileron travelling to full deflection. The aircraft rolled rapidly and uncontrollably and pitched down. The failure occurred at about 700 feet descending and about 480 knots in 67 wingsweep.
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XV Tornado Cosford by Tony Taylor, on Flickr
Gr4 Tornado Cosford by Tony Taylor, on Flickr
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Don't forget the war dodgers of 431 MU. We had to face the threat of PIRA like everyone else. And I will reinforce your point that this lot 4 years down the line were doing Hot Ops with hard work by aircrew and ground crew alike. Proper Ops with low level and the opposition that threw everything they had back. A lot of the old age pensioners on here have never had a SCUD or IDF come near them or heard one. Or seen fireworks come their way. Granby and Telic medals I wear.
Last edited by NutLoose; 24th Nov 2020 at 14:19.
Bob, Cat is there any reason to taxi a Jag with the speed brakes open, or is just for show? (and they do look good)
Sandiego
We used to open them during the landing flare and then leave them open.
The micro-turbo for engine start was in the left air brake bay so having them open made the next engine start possible.
Doing that made it easier than someone having to use the electro-hydraulic pump to open them.
Now, it’s been over 13 years since I last flew a Jaguar but my explanation sounds plausible. Let’s see if Cattechie agrees with me!
BV
The micro-turbo for engine start was in the left air brake bay so having them open made the next engine start possible.
Doing that made it easier than someone having to use the electro-hydraulic pump to open them.
Now, it’s been over 13 years since I last flew a Jaguar but my explanation sounds plausible. Let’s see if Cattechie agrees with me!
BV
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You need them open Bob to stick some more juice in it as the refuelling point is in the Stb Airbrake bay. Plus to do the turn round, after flight etc
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I know the feeling
I will be taking off a No 2 mainwheel tomorrow as alas it has met OM15. Blistered the best tyre at the back. 
There were always at least 70 Met Office staff in RAFG/1 BR Corps on at least 6 bases, and more than 7 before my day. Not military [although we had dormant commissions for WW III] but a sight nearer the front line than a fair number of service personnel. Please look at the Forum rules: regarding "not military".
Incidentally I was on night duty at Gutersloh [2,4,19 and 92] when Czecho was invaded ...... the Cold War felt warm that night.