In the late 80's (88 I think), there was a show on TV called Reaching for the Skies. It was about airplanes and as a 10 year old triggered my dream of becoming a fighter pilot. Obviously this was a while before I realised it was dangerous and became far too much of a chicken and far too lazy to actually work towards learning to fly. The Panavia Tornado played a staring role in my day dreams back then.
Watching the 100 Years of the RAF celebrations over London triggered me wanting to try and make something of a bunch of poor photographs I took about 10 or so years ago. The Tornado is now coming out of retirement to be replaced by the F35 Lightening so it won't be around too much longer. It started service in 1979 I think so is almost as old as me! I think it faired a little better with age.
Here's my little selection of Tornado piccies - I hope you enjoy.
It's coming! This is the point one realises it's going to be loud and fast...but there's no way you can prepare yourself for just how loud or how fast.
A little black and white action on this photo - wings back, giving it the beans.
Usually if I see something with fire it makes me want to cook over it...not sure there would be too much left.
It was a shockingly stormy day as you can tell.
I imagine they're pulling enough G here for their trousers to inflate nicely.
Just about to head verticle.
Calming things down towards the end of the show, sweeping the wings back forward.
Many years later I dated a girl whose sister was a Tornado Pilot. Fancy being able to fly like this!
That first picture looks like a model. I guess you have to be quick to snap these. I saw a Spitfire and possibly a Lancaster go over us today. Saw them go the other way the other day. Probably a display on somewhere.
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