Tornado F3 - 25 Years of Air Defence - Order the book here
Retiring in March 2011, the Tornado F3 has served with many famous RAF Fighter Squadrons in its history with the final operational unit being 111(F) Squadron “Tremblers”, based at RAF Leuchars in Fife. 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. Now, some 21 years later, that same aircraft is still proudly serving in the hands of 111(F) Squadron 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 Coningsby, Leeming, the Falkland Islands and Leuchars.
This book provides a different insight into the life of the F3 from its inception through to the final year of operations. Stories and anecdotes from members of the F3 Force in 160 pages full of distinctive and colourful photographs from home and abroad, many never previously published. 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 and maintained it.
Brought together by a fondness for the aircraft, the authors are :
Wg Cdr Justin Reuter RAF, serving RAF officer and a former Tornado F3 Navigator
Mr Geoffrey Lee (Director) of Planefocus Ltd, professional photographer having followed the F3 around the world
Mr Berry Vissers (Director) of Squadron Prints Ltd, professional photographer and designer of the book
Mr Mark McEwan of Squadron Prints Ltd, photographer and editor
Ms Gill Howie of Squadron Prints Ltd, marketing and editor
TORNADO F3 is a “must have” for anyone associated with the Tornado F3 – from aircrew and groundcrew, 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.
The book is published by Squadron Prints Ltd, who have a long association with the RAF and the Tornado F3, and have produced several books as well as their highly-acclaimed series of lithographic prints for almost all the RAF’s Squadrons for well over 30 years.
