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Tornado.jpg

Panavia Tornado

The Tornado was the Royal Air Force’s only variable geometry (swing wing) aircraft.

The Tornado's wings could move forward to provide extra lift at low speeds, and then backwards for supersonic flight. The F.3 version was the RAF's main jet fighter between 1986 and 2011.

This Tornado carried out air defence patrols from Saudi Arabia in 1991 during the first Gulf War. It spent most of its life based at RAF Leuchars in Fife.

Tornado fact file

Date:    1989
Mark: F.3
Crew: 2 (pilot, navigator)
Top speed:  1,490 mph (2,400 km/h)
Range: 1,151 miles (1,853 km)
Weapons: 1 x 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon
Up to 19,800lb (9,000 kg) of missiles and external fuel tanks

Panavia Tornado

Detail on the Tornado

Cockpit view

Tornado cockpit

Tornado rear cockpit

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