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 flown by Jagdbombergeschwader 34, then deployed to Memmingerberg Air Base, Germany, during the 1980s. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: September 2020

Historical Account: "Conversion Therapy" - The conversion of the last German Air Force unit to the new Panavia Tornado aircraft began in 1987. The fly-in of the first tornado and the fly-out of the "Starfighter" was celebrated on October 23rd, 1987. By then, the squadron had completed 242,785 flight hours on the F-104.

On December 21st, 1988, Thomas Goppel awarded the squadron the flag of the Free State of Bavaria, and on December 21st, 1990, it received the "Honorary Certificate of the NATO Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces Central Europe (CINCENT)", which confirmed the success in the tactical review best squadron documented in 1988 in Central Europe. On May 8th, 1992, it was given the nickname "Allgau". In the same month the "Military History Teaching Collection Fliegerhorst Memmingerberg" opened at the air base.

On August 25th, 1995, two of the association's tornadoes collided near Babenhausen. The crews of both machines were able to save themselves with the ejection seat and survived the accident.

After the US nuclear weapons were permanently transferred to Buchel Air Base according to the concept of nuclear participation, the US Air Force's 605th MUNSS ( MUN ition S upport S quadron) was officially adopted on February 29th, 1996, on the market square in Memmingen.