Saudi GR4's

[dylan the rabbit]

Is it true that the Saudi Airforce have upgraded their Tonka's to GR4's, and if so, where can I get hold of reference pics!

Cheers,

Nick

[Armadillos]

Tis indeed true the Saudis have upgraded their Tornado`s however NOT to GR4 standard. As you can see from the pics below the Saudi upgraded Tornados only have one blister under the forward fuselage whereas GR4`s have two.

And a Warton resident one of the two flying TSP Saudi Tornado`s

Edited August 6, 2008 by Armadillos

[dylan the rabbit]

Brilliant. That'll come in useful for my Airfix GR4 conversion to a Saudi GR4.

Cheers,

Nick

[Barrovian]

The RSAF is currently upgrading their aircraft to what is called TSP standard, Tornado Sustainment Programme. This is a phased upgrade.

The first batch have been upgraded to TSP 1 standard, this is a Laser Inertial Nav/GPS system (hence the white disc aerial behind the cockpit) upgraded IFF, replacement LCD displays in the rear cocpit, upgraded main computer and certain comms changes.

TSP 2 should roll out early next year which is mainly software upgrades.

The RSAF are not getting the FLIR fitted.

There are further planned upgrades ongoing throughout its life

[Phartycr0c]

Nick for reference photos have a firkle around here

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/index.php

you will need an account but there are loads of photos of the Saudis floating around in the Photos current section. They are mainly spotted at Warton which is where the upgrades are taking place. Might take some finding but well worth the search.

Heres hoping that the Saudi Typhoons are released in camo colours!! how cool would that be?

[Armadillos]

Sorry to disappoint but the Saudi Tiffies are in grey as the Saudi Tornado F3`s are as well.

Just can`t wait for the Trenche 2`s to finally roll out i mean we`ve been waiting long enough.

[dylan the rabbit]

Nick for reference photos have a firkle around here

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/index.php

you will need an account but there are loads of photos of the Saudis floating around in the Photos current section. They are mainly spotted at Warton which is where the upgrades are taking place. Might take some finding but well worth the search.

Heres hoping that the Saudi Typhoons are released in camo colours!! how cool would that be?

Cheers fellas, and thanks for the links.

Edited August 3, 2008 by dylan the rabbit

[Barrovian]

Sorry to disappoint but the Saudi Tiffies are in grey as the Saudi Tornado F3`s are as well.

Just can`t wait for the Trenche 2`s to finally roll out i mean we`ve been waiting long enough.

Only 2 RSAF tornado IDS are in grey at the moment, they are undergoing trials.

[Takamota]

Here's some more picture from last year when the Saudis came over to sunny Scotland on exercise at RAF Lossiemouth.

Saudi Tornados

[Armadillos]

Only 2 RSAF tornado IDS are in grey at the moment, they are undergoing trials.

All of the Tornado F3`s that Saudi have are grey.

[Barrovian]

All of the Tornado F3`s that Saudi have are grey.

The RSAF no longer fly the Tornado F3

[Armadillos]

Interesting so when did 29 and 79 Sqns RSAF re-equip/disband?

[hatchet]

The RSAF no longer fly the Tornado F3

Interesting so when did 29 and 79 Sqns RSAF re-equip/disband?

According to Scramble.nl, 29sqn still flies ADVs, while 79sqn have Hawks. Wikipedia says Saudi still have 24 ADVs.

[Barrovian]

Interesting so when did 29 and 79 Sqns RSAF re-equip/disband?

About 2 years ago, all F3's placed in storage and stripped of IDS common items!!

According to Scramble.nl, 29sqn still flies ADVs, while 79sqn have Hawks. Wikipedia says Saudi still have 24 ADVs.

Please note Scramble.nl still qoute the RF-5E as active, these were disbanded August last year

[hatchet]

Please note Scramble.nl still qoute the RF-5E as active, these were disbanded August last year

Ok