Corgi AA33603.(C) Panavia Tornado GR.Mk.1P Royal Aircraft Establishment ZA326 Bedford, 1989

This item has a limited edition certificate included. The Tornado is produced by a European consortium called Panavia, comprising three international companies in Germany (Messersschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH), Italy (Aeritalia) and the UK (British Aerospace) and is a multi-role combat aircraft. The type was designed and developed in co-operation for the armed forces of those countries. The aircraft incorporates variable-geometry wings able to sweep through 43 degrees which, in conjunction with two Turbo Union advanced turbofan engines and highly sophisticated avionics, make it possible for the Tornado to acheive all-weather penetration of enemy airspace. The prototype first flew from Manching, Germany on 14th August 1972 and the RAF ordered 385 Tornados, of which 220 were GR.1 interdictor/strike aircraft and 165 air-defence F.Mk.2 & 3 variants. Operated by the Flight Systems Division of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Bedford, ZA326 is the sole Tornado to be painted in the colourful 'raspberry ripple' livery. The aircraft had its rear end damaged in a production line fire at Warton and was deferred from entering squadron service. After a rebuild, it entered service with the RAE in 1983. Its work has included laser terrain-following trials and this aircraft has joined the Defence Research Agency fleet at Bascombe Down, when its Bedford base closed in 1994. Today it still flies on various trials as part of the civilain-operated QinetiQ fleet from Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.