I was at my ‘homedrome’ EMA tonight and it did seem a little odd not hearing the ‘Baby’callsign on the radio, or seeing any aircraft on the ramp…
Mind you, the Skylease MD-11F and the VDA IL-76 did improve the view somewhat!

-Dazza

P1E Tranche 2 Typhoons will be cleared for strafe while Tranche 1 aircraft are already cleared for this.

OK, thanks for clearing that up. Its time the RAF started using them then!

-Dazza

I thought Qatar were due to start into LHR this year with their first composite carbuncle?

-Dazza

However, the F3 DID have a cannon on the starboard side notwithstanding internal refuelling probe

Mosh, if you’re post was directed at me, I never said the F.3 DIDN’T have a canon, I said one canon was deleted to make room for the avionics displaced by the retractable refuelling probe…

-Dazza

Tornado canon fitted/removed

In the case of the F.3, the deletion of one canon was to make room for the avionics that needed to be moved in order to make space for the retractable refuelling probe. The GR.1A had both canon removed to make room for the reconnaissance equipment, the GR.1B retained both canon, the only major difference from a GR.1 was the addition of the software needed to fire the Sea Eagle missile. The GR.4 also retains both canon, the GR.4A also has both canon deleted for the same reason as the GR.1A…

Hope this helps!

-Dazza

Nice vid, the exhaust plume when it uses carrot power is very impressive, and no doubt utterly deafening!:D

-Dazza

I was speaking with somebody who works at Boscombe Down yesterday and he told me the Tonkas are due to be retired in 2014 (not 2019) but as their replacement isn’t due to enter service until 2020 he said there is a very real chance that we will be getting F18s to fill the gap.

I think i would take that one with a gigantic pinch of salt! :rolleyes:

Its replacement is a long way off (if we ever get it!) and the Typhoon is still nowhere near as capable a strike/recce platform as the GR.4/4A currently is…

-Dazza