Was :\

The RAF Tornado GR4 can be called was and that is only because of the two fast jet policy. Moreover the RSAF Tornado are very similar to GR4 standard and don't forget the GAF and IF Tornado are still operating and will do for some years to come.

The saddest thing for me is that the Tornado is no longer available as a flyable option.

Typhoons and F-35's are cool, but they ain't Tornados!!!

Sad, and boring (yes , moi aussi) to read so much drivel on here. Throw away your keyboards, come to my pub, and I'll put you right. And yes, I did fly both, and desked them at Gp and MoD.

Waiting to be put in my box :ok:

Farewell RAF Tornado - another aviation Icon.

Did I hear someone say "free beers"? :ok:

Jock

First round yes!! Have you far to travel?

There you go. ACM Sir Stephen Hillier was the flight lead and Gp Capt "Cab" Townsend was his #2!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e6381e276a.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a19150875d.jpg

Thanks, nice pictures.

Great, a not very current CAS and a Harrier mate, what could possibly have gone wrong? Respect to whoever was in their back seats!

Hang on, there's still a few more planned ceremonial sorties yet....

Hopefully all 3 specials are serviceable because I will be there to say my own goodbye to our nation's old friend....

Farewell Tornado. Shame they couldn't have flown over INV on their way to/from Tain/Lossie. Many ex-Service personnel at the airport where, for years, Tornados did practice approaches and occasional diversions, the airport provided weekend land away post displays, etc. and INV used to receive 4-ship flypasts at Christmas.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier's special patch.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....72fc83a644.jpg

very nice...but I can't be bothered trying to work out the relevance of the dates.

Not mine however...

KEEPERS OF THE 'FIN'

A reminder to you men, you heroes who flew it,
There's another bunch who also knew it.

The scruffy young 'pantrash' out manning the line,
Strapping in or on headset, come rain or come shine.

The Riggers and Fairies in a constant fight,
Who's bit kept failing that last CSAS BITE.

The Sooties, late nightshift, a forlorn hope,
Birdstrike, Vib Caption, Failed Boroscope.

"Thanks to the Armourers" came the Aircrew's response.
Even though most of their bits need only work once.

Our patches are not 'Thousand hours' or higher.
Our badges are scars from Locking Wire.

Take pride in the honour it was to have flown it
But remember, you borrowed! It was the groundcrew that owned it.

The dates he started and ended flying the GR (we were on adjacent TTTE courses).

And only 2000hours? A mere pup! :}

Ah so an AVM as lead and a Gp Capt as the no.2 probably explains why No. 3 seemed reluctant to stay in close ;-)

Whatever is said, it was a bloody good show all round. I remember seeing the very first tornados flying around as I was a kid and they played their part in me joining the military.

Correction from earlier, it seems Cab was in the back of Sir Stephen's jet.

Seems like a rather scary flight to sign off, with the CAS not being particularly current or the Stn Cdr only having a few hundred hours on the jet himself without a QFI qualification on type?

Perhaps, but a decent amount of "Top-cover" :)