New arrival at the Midland Air Museum – Tornado ZA452

Progress Update – Feb 2015

As the Sun was shining I managed to take an updated picture. Port Intake now fitted as is the Control surface for the tail, plus numerous smaller bits & bobs. On the look out for a starboard intake (it had two portside ones delivered!) as due to ‘current events’ they have slowed down the GR4 RTP …….
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The parts not installed in my pictures are sourced, but had yet to be fitted at the time of my visit. This included the air intakes, rudder and numerous smaller items.

Do they have the control surface for the tail do you know?

May 2014 UPDATE

Popped into the Museum yesterday after work, as it had been discussed on my last visit that re-assembly was imminent. This is what greeted me:

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After a day of hard work on Tuesday, by the Museum Volunteers and an ex Tornado rigger it looks like a warbird again.

Its unfortunate that despite the best efforts of the museum to correct before print, the latest W&R has decreed this is a ‘gutted fuselage’ – think the pics tell a different story.

An update on this project in the local paper, posted a couple of weeks ago.

http:// http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/biggest-airfix-ever-midland-air-6705933

I forgot to mention that the GR.4s current out of service date is still 2019, but that all depends on the government when they either win and do another SDSR aka just cut more and more from them. Or the last shower gets back in and does the same under a different oh we are spending lots here but cutting all of it there, so Tonkas might just survive till then.

I shall burn the soapbox now.

Tim

At my last count there are now about 18 to 20 GR.4s in the RTP queue and thats likely to get bigger when 12 and 617 go.

🙁

Tim S

Drawdown?

Gradual drawdown of the fleet. 2 squadrons (including 617) go next March, leaving just 3 operational squadrons at Marham. Lossie then takes the Typhoons from Leuchars, plus one new Typhoon squadron.

Does this equal withdrawal. At this time are the Americans suffering a strike? Or is it some other type of down??

Why should Britain tremble!!

Typhoon will get Storm Shadow -the Saudi’s are paying for intergration on their Typhoons circa 2015.

Gradual drawdown of the fleet. 2 squadrons (including 617) go next March, leaving just 3 operational squadrons at Marham. Lossie then takes the Typhoons from Leuchars, plus one new Typhoon squadron.

Can someone bring me up to speed on the reason for retiring the GR4 please?

I was told by a publishing colleague who spoke to people at Warton that 631 was never a true RAF airframe (ie it was only a pre Production not a full production GR.1) it had so many differences to a Production airframe parts wise that if it broke they couldn’t swap servicable items with others from the active fleet.

Not that I have ever had that confirmed…..?

Tim S

I believe it could be the second GR 4 as Elvington has a 1 and a 4 well done Midland this is yet another airframe saved and looking at the work that is to follow they have a long hard road to tread before she will look the beauty she should.

Just checked and I believe it is!
Quite amazing the Museum Vulcan XL360 was delivered into retirement thirty years ago and now the aircraft that replaced it in service has just joined the same collection !

Think I’m getting old….

Mark if you think you’re getting old – Tornado was my last type working on in the RAF until I left in ’89. I had previously felt ‘old’ when we got the Sea Harrier in the Museum, now I wonder how ‘old’ I am when we have a Tonka joining the collection…lol

Depends what you call a ‘real’ GR.4…
http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.org/exhibits/aircraft-exhibits/post-world-war-ii-aircraft/panavia-tornado-gr4

I am aware of that one but don’t count it, mainly because it is a prototype/pre-production airframe and not the final finished front line jet

Good also to see refrence to the Beagle 🙂 worked on it at Bristol and helped in its strip down for the move.

Depends what you call a ‘real’ GR.4…
http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.org/exhibits/aircraft-exhibits/post-world-war-ii-aircraft/panavia-tornado-gr4

Just checked and I believe it is!
Quite amazing the Museum Vulcan XL360 was delivered into retirement thirty years ago and now the aircraft that replaced it in service has just joined the same collection !

Think I’m getting old….

Is it the first (real) GR4 to be preserved?

Not immediately, but its history was one of the reasons they wanted to acquire this one if they were to purchase a Tornado at all. It will hopefully look like this soon (albeit not flying !)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42021519@N07/8910137755/