Didn’t the original requirement for 138 airframes come from the late 90s when we had 2 FAA and 3 RAF squadrons of Harriers? add in assumed attrition from the time and you wouldn’t be far from that requirement of 138.
I see further F35s replacing T1 Typhoons in the early 2030s, perhaps with one of the T2/3 squadrons also trading in their Typhoons, as said above we only need one extra F35B squadron as having both carriers at sea is very unlikely so some of the extra F35s can be A models. Also remember that the F35 is going to be in production for decades to come so no rush for additional orders. As for F35 killing off uk aircraft industry we have a big stake in Lightning and if the F35 only replaces some of Typhoon we have a requirement for a future combat aircraft manned or otherwise.

Reminded!* I used to have a collection of old Military Aviation magazines I bought in a bundle from a Charity Shop a few years ago, they went from around ’79 to about ’87, not a full collection but there were around 20 copies, I don’t even remember the name of the magazine nor what happened to them. But what I did remember is that they followed the Tornado Programme from prototype of the GR1 and F2 variants up until the last copy I had. One of which that stands out is seeing a report of the Tornado F2 which had images of an early weapons configuration: If I remember correctly the static display had; Four fuselage stationed Skyflash, two 2,200 litre drop tanks, I believe I recall two early versions of the ASRAAM – one per pylon, and I perfectly recall that the aircraft had a 3x ASRAAM launcher (similar to the Brimstone launcher) on each outer wing pylon. It looked very impressive.

Gutted that I lost them, somehow. Little Goldmines for references.

That wouldn’t have worked. Not for the Tornado anyway. The ADV was just a stretched fuselage of the GR1/4 variant, which was designed to be a low-level delivery platform itself, not optimised for high level supersonic performance like Typhoon was designed to be. The Tornado F3 could have received some new upgrades, possibly even the same engines Typhoon carries, EJ200s. But it wouldn’t have been a Typhoon.

I do admire the F3 though. It had a knock out punch in it’s latter years…

IIRC that magazine was Warplane, the first one detailed the Tornado IDS and the last the ADV. Battle Flight by C Gibson has a BAe study picture of an F3 carrying 10 Amraam, but it does not explain why this was never pursued by the RAF.

According to public sources the GR.1 was the version with two cannon. The reconnaissance version, GR.1A, did not have either cannon. GR.1A were later converted to GR.4A. All ECR versions have both guns removed, too, to make space for the sideways looking infra-red sensors and emitter locator equipment. All ADV versions had the left cannon removed for the retractable refueling probe. The EF.3, being an ADV variant also did not feature the left gun because of its retractable refueling probe and because of it’s external RWR was able to retain one gun. The GR.1B, a revised GR.1 for the maritime attack role, had the left cannon removed for a retractable refueling probe. GR.1B were later converted to GR.4B. When the RAF GR.1 aircraft were converted to GR.4, the FLIR sensor replaced the left hand cannon.

I’m not sure the GR1B had any cannon removed, they certainly did not have a retractable refueling probe fitted, only the ADV variants had this. If any GR1B’s were upgraded they became GR4’s there is/was no GR4B. The Sea Eagle was removed from RAF service back in the late 90’s(ish). As far as i’m aware the UK has no long range air launched anti-ship weapons:eek:

Combat Aircraft (CA)magazine often has articles on lesser known types. This month Uganda’s Flankers and a couple of months ago Irans Mirage F1’s. I have bought every AFM since the launch in the late 80’s and last year also subscribed to CA. My concern is now that Key own both brands will they both continue?? What’s more this month CA is only 90 pages rather than the 100 of more recent months, AFM has 116 as opposed to it’s usual 100. Has Key reduced CA content to boost AFM’s??

Hello, the GR1a/GR4a had both 27mm cannon removed to make way for camera equipment, with the gun ports being blanked over. Also GR1a/GR4a have an IRLS bump under the nose and camera window either side of the lower nose section. Apart from the cannon the GR1a/GR4a could/can carry the same weapons as the GR1/GR4. During the 80’s-90’s the GR1a’s were used by 2 and 13 Squadrons RAF, now the GR4a’s are spread among all remaining Tornado squadrons. I believe most if not all of the camera/IRLS equipment has been either removed or is in place but not used, mainly due to a shift to medium altitude flying and RAPTOR.

I’d fall off my chair if this happens, don’t get me wrong i would love to see parts of SDSR reversed and the Harriers return but i don’t see it happening.

How can operating a carrier with air wing and supporting ships(frigate and RFA at least) be cheaper than operating from a shore base? someone using different and unrelated stats to make their political point?