The RAF Leuchars Airshow in 1989 saw the arrival of the first Operational Tornado F3 ZE961 “GA” to be based in Scotland and served initially with 43(F) Squadron. Some 21 years later, that same aircraft proudly flew in the hands of 111(F) Squadron and was the last to land at the 2010 air show but that aircraft, aircraft type and the Squadron are about to be retired in March 2011.
Squadron Prints Ltd, the well-known Scottish based Aviation Art Company are launching a tribute book to the Tornado F3 – an aircraft that, in a quarter of a century of service, has constantly been on operational duty; served with many famous RAF fighter squadrons; the silent guardian of UK airspace, ever vigilant as it sat poised for launch on Quick Reaction Alert. The aircraft was taken to war in the Gulf, twice, and patrolled the No-Fly Zones in the Balkans and Iraq for years. In the South Atlantic, the Tornado F3 performed an uninterrupted stint of 17 years, concurrent with other operations and training exercises around the world. Every RAF Squadron and unit that operated the F3 plus the Royal Saudi Air Force and Italian Air Force are covered. Exercises, operational deployments, special events and emotions are all portrayed by “F3 people” in this book with the aim of producing a fond commemoration to the aircraft and the people that flew it, maintained it and adored it up close and from afar!
In this book, the men and women of the F3 Force, past and present take you around the world at supersonic speeds with stories of dark nights over the North Sea and hot days above the burning oilfields of Kuwait. From the Baltic coast to a final public bow at the Leuchars Airshow, with the wings swept back and the throttles parked in the “top left corner” ~ never before has the story been told of what it was really like to fly, fix and fight the Tornado F3 whilst based at the Royal Air Force Stations at Coningsby, Leeming, the Falkland Islands and Leuchars.
Recently the Squadron Prints Team consisting of Berry Vissers, Gill Howie and Mark McEwan donated over £10,000 to the RAF Benevolent Fund from the sale of their most recent book “Northern Exposure – the RAF at work in Scotland”. This time the team has been joined by Geoffrey Lee, the world renowned Aviation Photographer and Wg Cdr Justin Reuter RAF (Former F3 Navigator and current serving Officer) to produce a manuscript of anecdotes along with distinctive and colourful photographs from home and abroad, many of which have never previously been published, and at the same time raising funds for RAFA (RAF Association).
TORNADO F3 is a “must have” for anyone associated with the Tornado F3 – from aircrew and ground crew, enthusiasts and model makers, but also for anyone with or without an interest in aviation. £2 from every book sold will go to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) charity.
Squadron Prints Ltd, whose long association with the RAF and the Tornado F3 go back many years, are publishing the book. They have produced several books as well as their highly acclaimed series of lithographic prints for all the RAF’s Squadrons for well over 30 years.
The book will be launched on the 22nd March, 2011 – the same date that 111(F) Squadron (Tremblers) will disband and see the start of 10 days of farewells to the Mighty Tornado F3 which ceases service on the 31st March.
Priced at £19.95 (a Postage and packing fee will be added) the book contains 188 pages, and has been brought together by the authors out of a great fondness for the aircraft. The book is available through
http://www.tornadof3.com
or
Tornado F3 - 25 Years of Air Defence
ISBN 978-0-9512656-5-9
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TORNADO F3 - 25 years of Air Defence (Read 2,751 times)
