Tornado GR4
The Tornado GR4 is a swing-wing, two-seater, all-weather day or night ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft. It is the lead fast jet, or front liner, that might be caught on camera going low level within any of the Low Flying Areas (LFA) in the UK, particularly LFA 7 (Wales), LFA 17 (Cumbria), LFA 16 (Scottish Borders) and LFA 14 (Scotland, north of the central belt). Its appearance low level is dramatic and awe-inspiring, especially when caught at 100’ (30m)!
Until such time as the Typhoon (see separate gallery) is proven in its supposedly multi-role configuration, and with the premature retirement of the Harrier in 2010, the Tornado GR4 now (February 2012) represents the only dedicated RAF ground attack platform.
During the time many of these photos were taken the Tornado GR4 was in service with seven RAF squadrons: four operational squadrons at RAF Marham, Norfolk; II(AC), IX(B), 13 and 31 Squadrons, and, at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, three operational squadrons, 12(B), 14 and 617 Squadrons, and one Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), 15[R] Squadron. Since the Strategic Defence and Security Review, published in October 2010, the number of operational squadrons has been reduced to five, with 13 and 14 Squadrons disbanding in March 2011.
All photographs copyright © Michael Leek 2004-2012
A V I A G R A P H I C A
Until such time as the Typhoon (see separate gallery) is proven in its supposedly multi-role configuration, and with the premature retirement of the Harrier in 2010, the Tornado GR4 now (February 2012) represents the only dedicated RAF ground attack platform.
During the time many of these photos were taken the Tornado GR4 was in service with seven RAF squadrons: four operational squadrons at RAF Marham, Norfolk; II(AC), IX(B), 13 and 31 Squadrons, and, at RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, three operational squadrons, 12(B), 14 and 617 Squadrons, and one Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), 15[R] Squadron. Since the Strategic Defence and Security Review, published in October 2010, the number of operational squadrons has been reduced to five, with 13 and 14 Squadrons disbanding in March 2011.
All photographs copyright © Michael Leek 2004-2012
A V I A G R A P H I C A