Tornado F3 APU or cart start?

[pittnuma]

Quick query, from memory and from all the searches I believe the Tornado has an on-board APU? Thus it would not use a start cart, is that correct?

I could find no pics/youtube of an F3 with a cart.

Presumably the Typhoon never uses a cart either as I know that does have on-board APU

Anybody know for definite, reason I ask is I am going to light my Tornado and Typhoon, I was hoping to use a start cart for somewhere to place the batteries, but that's not really an option if they never used a start cart.

Was going to get the Flightpath 1/32 GPU

Edited April 4, 2014 by pittnuma

[Brian G]

Pittnuma:

For your Tornado F3 only:

The Tornado F3 has a built in APU; RH rear fuselage - just in front of the RH Taileron, in the same position as in the GR Tornado.

The GPU was sometimes used so, IMHO, you could get away with connecting one up.

You would only have to make sure you got it connected the right way, to the correct position on the A/C.

You would need to get another of our learned brethren to point you in the right direction for that - I'm a Rigger!

Cheers, Brian

[JonP]

Not sure about the F3s but on the GR1s we nearly always had the GPU connected to start the APU.

The GPU was normally parked in the GSE bay on the right (stbd) side of the aircraft and plugged in on the RH side of the nose.

[pittnuma]

Aha right, thanks, gents.

Don't suppose you have a larger pic do you? As you say I need to make sure I plug it in correctly!

That's that idea sorted, GPU it is.

Edited April 4, 2014 by pittnuma

[JonP]

Don't suppose you have a larger pic do you? As you say I need to make sure I plug it in correctly!

Here's one plugged in in a HAS which gives you an idea where the socket is.

[pittnuma]

Fantastic yep that gives me an idea, many thanks

[Bobski]

GPUs are often used during normal peacetime training to reduce the amount of fatigue on the APU. I've seen Tornados and Typhoons both using GPUs.

[JonP]

As I recall ( and it was over 20 years ago) the Tornado always had to run up the APU before it could start the engines. The APU was started with a conventional electric starter motor powered by the GPU or aircraft battery. Once the APU was up to speed it drove the RH gearbox which ran one set of generators and fuel and hydraulic pumps. Then the cross drive would be engaged to drive the LH gearbox which was used to start the LH engine and drive the second set of pumps etc.; then the RH engine would be started. The main reason GPUs were used is that the APUs suffered from wet starts and the batteries couldn't cope with multiple starts very well; we only used battery starts if the AC had landed away at a small airfield or we were really pushed for GPUs on the line.

[Dave Spencer]

Whenever ground power was available, it was always used.

[scotthldr]

In a HAS it was normal practice to use the static frequency converter located next to the personnel access door,one of these

http://www.wotol.com/images/thumbs/800x800/740865_87c41138f5c530377e3fcba2f03d46e0.jpg

on the ramp a mobile GPU was used.

[Evalman]

The Tornado F3 used two kinds of GPU in RAF service.

A smaller type:

And the Houchin 680:

Here are 2 F3s with the two types of GPU.

The Tornado GR1 / GR4 only appeared to use the larger Houchin 680.

[MPaul]

I think we used both, I am sure we used the smaller one once for some reason, but predominantly used the larger type on the GR4.

[xvtonker]

In a HAS it was normal practice to use the static frequency converter located next to the personnel access door,one of these

http://www.wotol.com/images/thumbs/800x800/740865_87c41138f5c530377e3fcba2f03d46e0.jpg

on the ramp a mobile GPU was used.

In the modded Mk2 HAS's such as those at RAF Laarbruch the GPU was located in its own room to the rear of the bowser shed. The power cables were routed through the HAS wall and connected to the A/C.

XVTonker

[Julien]

A couple of shots from our walkaround. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234911493-panavia-tornado-f23/

Julien

[pittnuma]

Thanks, that all makes sense now.

[crusaders1435]

As I recall ( and it was over 20 years ago) the Tornado always had to run up the APU before it could start the engines. The APU was started with a conventional electric starter motor powered by the GPU or aircraft battery. Once the APU was up to speed it drove the RH gearbox which ran one set of generators and fuel and hydraulic pumps. Then the cross drive would be engaged to drive the LH gearbox which was used to start the LH engine and drive the second set of pumps etc.; then the RH engine would be started. The main reason GPUs were used is that the APUs suffered from wet starts and the batteries couldn't cope with multiple starts very well; we only used battery starts if the AC had landed away at a small airfield or we were really pushed for GPUs on the line.

well remembered!! that's how we rolled on 14 sqn, bruggen.......... happy days!!!

[Motley]

We currently use both types of GPU to start Tonkas, all comes down to which GPU's are about and which ones are working. The big Houchin 48kvh's seem to be the more common ones we use and they are more reliable too. Even on current ops, such as Shader, we always use GPU's to start, only use internal batteries to start if no GPU is free or if the GPU is not working properly at the time of the see off

[mackem01]

The GPU cable plugs in to the aircraft on the starboard side, just behind the natural metal panel where the gun barrel is.

[crusaders1435]

In the modded Mk2 HAS's such as those at RAF Laarbruch the GPU was located in its own room to the rear of the bowser shed. The power cables were routed through the HAS wall and connected to the A/C.

XVTonker

same as Brugger's HAS's and as I recall same for Marham back in the day...............

[Pete in Lincs]

And if someone towed away the Houchin

while it was still connected, then the

gun barrel had to come out before

structural repairs could be carried out.

Ask me how I know.

I repaired two or three at Laarbruch.

[Julien]

This is a GR.4 but GPU on oneside

Earthing point on the otherside;

Another one;