During the late 1960's a number of European countries examined ways to replace their existing fleet of combat aircraft using next-generation design techniques. Several countries looked at variable geometry wing configurations as a means of making a plane perform well throughout a wider flight envelope. Variable geometry allows the pilot and/or fly by wire system to adapt the aircraft's wing shape to the optimal settings dependent on its height, speed, and load. The Tornado takes this one step further and incorporates swiveling weapons pylons that always ensure the stores are parallel to the airframe, thus minimizing drag and improving airflow across the entire surface of the aircraft especially at low altitudes.

Britain and France joined forces on a variable geometry aircraft project, called the Anglo French Variable Geometry (AFVG) project. France was already in the process of developing a variable geometry airframe of its own. In 1968, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and Canada formed a working group to look at replacements for the aging F-104. The outcome was initially called the Multi-Role Aircraft (MRA) project, which was later changed to the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MCRA). Britain later joined this group on the strength of its variable geometry design.

Pictured here is a stunning 1:72 scale diecast replica of a German Panavia GR. Mk. 1 Tornado fighter-bomber that was attached to Jagdbombergeschwader 32, then deployed to San Damiano AB, Italy, during 1999. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 9-1/4-inches

Release Date: March 2023

Historical Account: "Bombers" - Jagdbombergeschwader 32 (Fighter-Bomber Wing 32; abbreviated as: JaBoG 32) was a fighter-bomber wing of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). The wing was based in the south of Germany at Lechfeld Airbase and flew Tornado IDS and Tornado ECR planes in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses role.

The wing was raised in 1957 at Lechfeld Air Base and was officially activated on July 22nd, 1958, initially equipped with Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighters. On September 14th, 1961, two of its planes mistakenly crossed into East German airspace and were forced to land at the French West Berlin Air Base while being hunted by Soviet fighters. This was a serious diplomatic incident at a time of high tensions, and in answer to the question of what to do with the aircraft, the French secretly buried them on the airfield, a fact not discovered until 1970.

The wing began to receive Lockheed F-104 Starfighters during 1965 and the last Thunderstreak left Lechfeld Air Base on July 13th, 1966. In 1984, the wing began its conversion to Panavia Tornado IDS strike fighters. In 1991 the wing was equipped with 35 new Tornado ECR fighters and began its new mission as Germany's only suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) capable wing.

On July 17th, 1995, Tornado ECRs of JaBoG 32 transferred to San Damiano Air Base in Italy, from where they flew SEAD missions in support of NATOs Operation Deliberate Force over Bosnia and Herzegovina. These were the first combat operations for the German Armed Forces since World War II.

From March 24th to June 11th, 1999, JaBoG 32 participated in NATOs Operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia. The Tornado ECRs carrying AGM-88 HARM missiles escorted allied aircraft over Yugoslavian territory to neutralize hostile air defense threats. A total of 236 HARM missiles were fired by JaBoG 32 during the campaign.

In 2008, the first German female combat pilot, Ulrike Flender, joined JaBoG 32. In October 2011, the German Federal Ministry of Defence announced a reorganization/reduction of the German Armed Forces. As a result of this reorganization, the wing was disbanded on 31 March 2013, with personnel and planes joining the 1st Squadron of Aufklarungsgeschwader 51 (Reconnaissance Wing 51).