Des Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Final set of Tornado GR.4 images which might be of interest to anyone thinking of investing in the forthcoming Italeri 1/32 GR.4 or spending almost as much on five of the Revell 1/48 GR.4 re-releases. The Panavia Tornado GR.1/4 served with the RAF for almost forty years and operated with at least fifteen different squadrons and other units (more depending on how choosy one is with changes in designation) which meant that it carried a wide variety of anniversary and other ‘special’ colour schemes along with some changes in general marking style as well as more temporary additions so the following barely scratch the surface. Here are a very few of the many special schemes and marking changes carried over the years that crossed my path but as my scanner is not too great I have limited these to post-2004 when I went digital. Images were variously taken at airshows , on base visits and over the fence. In addition to the general comments on the Tornado GR.4 made in my earlier postings it does also seem that the application of such schemes did not always include either a complete repaint of the airframe used nor when the scheme survived over a period of time the airframes involved did not always avoid the patchwork effect common in later years. No. II (Army Cooperation) Squadron , ZA398 (010) , RAF Leuchars , September 2012 To mark its centenary that year this scheme was applied to the fin and spine and when seen here the aircraft is carrying a BOZ pod on each outer wing station , RAIDS Pod on the starboard inner pylon shoulder rail and finless AIM-9 acquisition round to port. No. II (Army Cooperation) Squadron , ZD890/113 , RAF Lossiemouth , May 2009 The squadron had long carried individual aircraft tail letter codes within the triangle of the tail marking until the introduction of the permanent tail numbering system when some changes were tried including this full colour representation of the ‘Wake Knot’ motif and surrounding detail from the squadron crest. The aircraft carries a pair of CBLS on the fuselage stations, RAIDS Pod on the starboard inner pylon shoulder rail and finless AIM-9 acquisition round to port and seems to be in a reasonably complete overall Medium Sea Grey finish. No. II (Army Cooperation) Squadron , ZD890/113 , RAF Lossiemouth , October 2012 On the same aircraft seen three years later during a Joint Warrior exercise the full colour design had been replaced by the ‘Wake Knot’ in black which seemed to become standard , by that time the overall finish was a bit patchier and a RAIDS Pod is carried on the starboard inner pylon shoulder rail and an inert ASRAAM acquisition round to port. No.12 Squadron , ZA543/FF (036) , RAF Lossiemouth , June 2008(port) and July 2009 (starboard) The scheme was applied for the squadron’s 90th. Anniversary in 2005 over a generally overall Medium Sea Grey colour scheme and when seen here BOZ Pods are being carried on the outer wing pylon stations with that to port being a flat ended ballast shape , a RAIDS pod is on the starboard inner pylon shoulder rail and a TIALD Designator and a CBLS (2008)/third Drop tank (2009) are on the fuselage stations (the crow was merely passing in the opposite direction and is not part of the paintwork). No.12 Squadron , ZA453/022 , RAF Leuchars , September 2008 In later service full sets of squadron markings as seen here were becoming less common , aircraft is carrying a BOZ Pod on each outer wing station (that to port being an inert flat ended ballast shape) , finless AIM-9 Acquisition Round on the port inner pylon shoulder launch rail and CBLS on both fuselage stations. No.12 Squadron , ZA393/008, RAF Leuchars , September 2008 Seen arriving with the previous example and although lacking the tail marking it did however follow a long-standing squadron practice of individualising the fox head marking although in permanent marker rather than paint, the aircraft carries a flat ended ballasted BOZ Pod on each outer wing pylon, finless AIM-9 Acquisition Round on the port inner pylon shoulder launch rail and RAIDS Pod to starboard and a CBLS on the starboard fuselage station. The rather scrappy looking red coloured rectangular markings are the remains of tamper proof security tags often used over the joins of op-enable panels on RAF aircraft. No.13 Squadron , ZA401(012) , RAF Leuchars , November 2005 Seen getting airborne during a CQWI Course wearing the special tail colours applied earlier in the year for the squadron’s 90th. Anniversary carrying a flat ended ballasted BOZ Pod on each outer wing pylon, finless AIM-9 Acquisition Round on the port inner pylon shoulder launch rail , RAIDS Pod to starboard and a TIALD Pod on the port fuselage station. No.14 Squadron , ZG750/BX (128) , RAF Leuchars , September 2005 Seen as part of an airshow static display wearing the special tail colours applied earlier in the year for the squadron’s 90th. Anniversary with pairs of inert 1,000 lb. bombs on both fuselage stations. No.14 Squadron , ZA400/011 , RAF Leuchars , September 2008 Painted in a generally Dark Camouflage/Sea Greys colour scheme but with the markings , Combat Air Wing/Scud Hunters – Go Get ‘Em Boys! , and sharkmouth carried while serving with No.2 Squadron in temporary ARTF Grey during Operation Telic in the Spring of 2003. The BOZ Pod on port outer pylon is a flat ended ballasted shape , a finless AIM-9 Acquisition Round is carried on the port inner pylon shoulder launch rail and RAIDS Pod to starboard , CBLS and TIALD Pod on fuselage stations. No.31 Squadron , ZA564/053 , RAF Kinloss , November 2008 Not seen from the best of positions nor under the best of conditions during a visit to a CQWI Course but the special tail and spine of the ‘Goldstars’ 90th. Anniversary markings applied in 2005 stand out against the murk when seen three years later by which time the permanent tail number had been added. No.41 (Reserve) Squadron , ZA614/EB-Z (076) , RAF Lossiemouth , October 2012 These tail markings were applied in 2012 to mark that years London Olympics as well as the achievements of Don Finlay as a pre-war Olympian and subsequently one of the squadron’s wartime commanders , seen here during a Joint Warrior exercise the aircraft is carrying the usual mix of Sky Shadow/BOZ and tanks with a RAIDS Pod on the starboard inner pylon shoulder launcher rail and inert ASRAAM to port along with a Litening pod on the port fuselage station. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 Des, Another fine and STUNNING collection of photos from you. I had to go to Leuchars as part of MY duty in December 2013 and spent quite some time looking and going around these GORGEOUS Jets. But unlike you I did not have MY camera with ME as I was on Official duty. Thank you for sharing these ASTOUNDING colorful photos of the Tornados. Oh MY, I can still hear their thundrous roar. You made MY day Des. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 More great (and useful) pictures, thanks for sharing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonf45 Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Great selection of Tonkas, they're sorely missed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 12, 2020 Share Posted September 12, 2020 Wonderful photos, so good that you have taken the time to save these for posterity, Without this sort of thing they would fade & disappear into the past. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Really interesting and detailed shots of some unique schemes. We don't get to much real hardware down in NZ, I remember the Tornadoes first arriving at Coningsby many years ago. Hope fulls some of these schemes will be produced by the decal makers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Fantastic photos. ThankYou for posting Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antti_K Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Great photos, thanks for sharing them! Now I want to build a Tornado in "Shiny Two" special markings. That lady in "Scud-Hunters'" nose art looks very much the same as the one in my ULAS badge; mirror image though but... Cheers, Antti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 Ah, happy days! Thanks very much for posting these. Lovely set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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