pittnuma Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonP Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 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. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittnuma Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonP Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittnuma Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 Fantastic yep that gives me an idea, many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobski Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonP Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Spencer Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Whenever ground power was available, it was always used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotthldr Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evalman Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPaul Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xvtonker Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 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 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 A couple of shots from our walkaround. http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234911493-panavia-tornado-f23/ Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittnuma Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Thanks, that all makes sense now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusaders1435 Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 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!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motley Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 The GPU cable plugs in to the aircraft on the starboard side, just behind the natural metal panel where the gun barrel is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusaders1435 Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 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............... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 This is a GR.4 but GPU on oneside Earthing point on the otherside; Another one; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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