Brand: Corgi
Model: AA33619,
Panavia Tornado GR.4, ZG752, RAF Tornado Finale, Special Retirement Scheme, RAF
Marham, Norfolk, March 2019
Material:
Diecast
Type:
Military Aircraft
Scale:
1/72
Length: 23.2cm, Wingspan:19.3cm, Height:8.2cm
[Stock Available. Original, Brand new and
unused]
Features:
- Limited
Edition
- Detailed Crew Figures
- Aviation Armament/Weapons
- Fuel Tanks
- Movable Sweeping Wings
- Moving Parts
- Optional Undercarriage Down
- Display Stand included
- Individually numbered certificate
- Highly detailed superior graphics
- No painting required
Background:
In the year which followed commemorations to mark the centenary of the Royal
Air Force, one of the most important aircraft since the end of the Second World
War was finally withdrawn from service, after providing the backbone of Britain
s aerial strike capability for almost 40 years. Indeed, as if to underline the
effectiveness of this magnificent aircraft, eight aircraft which had been on
overseas deployment at RAF Akrotiri, only returned to Marham in the days
leading up to the aircraft's retirement.
Thankfully, RAF personnel who were privileged to be the final custodians of the
Tornado in the final days of its service career were in no mood to let the
aircraft slip away quietly and ensured that the 'Mighty Fin' enjoyed a send-off
befitting an aircraft of this stature. Three aircraft were presented in special
schemes to mark the end of RAF Tornado operations, including GR.4 ZG752, which
was given a striking wrap around retro camouflage scheme similar to the
markings applied to the first RAF GR.1 Tornado aircraft which entered service
back in 1982.
The tail of the aircraft carries the markings 'Tornado GR 1982 2009' and its
spine proudly displays all the badges of the RAF squadrons, reserve units and
training establishments which operated the Tornado during a service career
which lasted almost 40 years. As the RAF said farewell to their most effective
strike jet, RAF Marham ensured that its impressive service legacy was
commemorated in some style.
As the retirement date for the RAF's last remaining Panavia Tornados
approached, base personnel at RAF Marham announced ambitious plans to allow as
many people as possible across the UK to say their final farewell to this hard
working and extremely effective strike jet. In scenes which were reminiscent of
the last flying Avro Vulcan's national farewell tour in 2015, a trio of
Tornados flew three different routes on three consecutive days, overflying RAF
stations and locations associated with Tornado during its long service career,
with many thousands of people taking the opportunity to take one last look at
an aircraft which had served the Royal Air Force so well for almost 40 years.
For thousands of aviation enthusiasts gathered in a field next to RAF Marham
though, Thursday 28th February 2019 will be the date they remember as the
ultimate tribute to RAF Tornado service, when 11 of the remaining 15 jets took
to the air to perform one final massed formation flypast. Officially arranged
to mark a course completion ceremony at RAF Collage Cranwell, a perfect diamond
nine of Tornado GR.4 strike jets returned to Marham, making three impeccable
formation passes over an airfield which will always be linked with RAF Tornado
operations. As the aircraft landed back at Marham, the RAFs last remaining
Tornados had effectively been retired, but not before their crews had played
their part in a spectacular tribute to the 'Mighty Fin'.
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