The Panavia Tornado — A Farewell

With the final RAF Tornado GR.4 flight and force disbandment parade on 14th March 2019 at RAF Marham, 37 years of exceptional service officially comes to an end. After quickly establishing itself as the backbone of the RAF’s striking power following its introduction into frontline service in June 1982, the Tornado flew combat sorties in its GR.1, F.3 and GR.4 variants over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Designed as a specialised low level conventional and nuclear bomber able to push its way under the extensive Soviet defences during the late Cold War, the aircraft was successfully developed into a highly flexible and capable tactical reconnaissance, close air support, precision strike and cruise missile launch platform. It also spawned the initially troublesome but ultimately effective F.3 Interceptor variant which defended British skies between 1987 and 2011.

As it retires, the Tornado GR.4 is one of the most capable close air support fighters in service with NATO, but is no longer able to compete with the latest generation of airborne and ground based threat systems in high-intensity conflict scenarios. In the close air support role, it is replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon which can now perform all the RAF GR.4 mission sets except for the standoff tactical reconnaissance role using the RAPTOR pod. For the Tornado’s original role of penetrating heavily defended airspace, the RAF is looking to the new F-35B Lightning II which is also based at RAF Marham. With its advanced low-observability (stealth) and situational awareness capabilities, the F-35 provides a huge leap in combat capability. However, the RAF’s Tornado will be missed by its crews and the aviation community as a whole, although the type will continue to serve (including in the nuclear delivery role) in Germany and Italy for a few more years at least.

This film is dedicated to all the crews who have flown the Tornado throughout the last 37 years, especially those who lost their lives through combat losses or accidents.

Stock footage from Royal Air Force, used under 'Crown Copyright' Free Use policy. IWM Footage Licensed for this documentary by IWM Film, not for reuse without written permission.

[ronshears]

It looked the business it was the business. And the Pilots were the business. A complete team without any peers. Thank You for keeping us safe.

[davey.f.demarco]

“Fast and low, ideally in bad weather or at night”. Oh I remember going to bed as a young boy in the early 80s and having Tornadoes buzz my house at all hours. Scared the crap out of me but I really miss them today. Beautiful aircraft.

[chrisholden]

End of an era for such an iconic beautiful aircraft thankyou to the pilots / navigators / ground crew that not only kept the aircraft serviceable but helped our guys do their job and return safely

[vMaxHeadroom]

Low level supersonic flight with the first to go in and drop bombs....what an amazing aircraft that had one of the hardest jobs...It looks strong and could take some punishment and still get back....Great pilots who we owe so much too....

[marcase]

End of an era, indeed. Wonderful mini doc, worth your time.

[Hirschi]

Greatings from a former GAF GCI member. Panavia PA-200 Tornado IDS and Recce were part of my daily business.

[CammieGee]

The Panavia Tornado has earned itself a legendary place in the annals of RAF and aviation history, along with the Supermarine Spitfire, De Havilland Mosquito, Avro Lancaster, Avro Vulcan and Hawker Siddeley Harrier

[kickboxerforever]

A sad Goodbye to an Absolute Legend..The Panavia Tornado!! My Bro in law used to work on them in the RAF back in the day...Amazing.

[antikoerper]

We have one on display in the bulgarian national military museum in Sofia, donated from Germany. Amazing platform, I can only imagine what it felt like piloting it or what type of advanced features it had which the jets from the Eastern Bloc didn't.

[richardw]

A well deserved retirement. Here's hoping some of the museums get their hands on many of them.

[muzaffarmohamad]

I remember buying an Airfix kit of the Tornado, it was a pound ninety nine at Cardiff in the late seventies. Installing the kit, I marvelled at the variable geometry wing. I then painted it in RAF colours. Seen them on airshows, mightily impressed. I adored more than the American F-15, it seemed brutal and no nonsense, later in life I became an aircraft engineer, having took my license in Scotland, I remembered them buzzing overhead. Years later, I saw the old gal at the RAF Museum, north of London. Still impressive, but now, given access to the cockpit. An amazing aircraft, deserves all the praise by former pilots, WSOs, armaments and ground crew.

[anselmdanker]

A great documentary on a great RAF aircraft, much respect to the air crews and ground crew who served to keep the UK safe .

[mrjockt]

I spent a total of around 35 years working on the Tornado, both in the RAF and as a civilian contractor. It’s sad that the RAF have had to retire this plane, but at least it’ll still be flying for a few more years with the Italians, the Germans and the Saudi’s, in fact the Saudi’s are currently planing on keeping the aircraft in service for another 10 years at least.

[Chaddlee]

I fell in love with the Tornado as a kid after watching news film of them screaming over the desert at impossibly low level in 1990. Hitting the target and getting back out. The sort of images that stick in the mind for ever.

[azura_]

My dad worked on the Tonka at RAF Bruggen in the early 90's (Barnes wallis here lol)
Even in 2020 it still hurts that we no longer have this beast.

[nut]

What a fantastic aircraft. I remember being an 11 year during the 1991 Gulf War and wanting to be a Tornado IDS pilot after reading about their low level raids on Iraqi airfields with the JP233 at 50m at 500knts plus. Never got there but have loved this aircraft since. Legends never die they just fade away. Well earned retirement.

[tanderson]

Thank you to the people at RUSI, Justin Bronk and all the aircrew who helped make this wonderful video.

[markjessurun]

I always loved the PANAVIA TORNADO Fighter Jet and I think it looks Beautiful !! May GOD Bless all of U Service men and women who flew these Jets in combat!! I have Great Respect for U people and Thanks a lot indeed !!

[dubemccready]

Excellent piece of Historic History to which I have always enjoyed and listened to in my 76 years on this wonderful place I call home. Mother Earth.

[rhurbstafalcon]

Smashing little programme....respects to all...and of course Tonka