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 dependant 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 1:72 scale replica of a RAF Panavia Tornado GR4 fighter-bomber that is wearing a retirement scheme and was deployed to RAF Marham, England, during March 2019. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 11-inches
Length: 11-1/4-inches

Release Date: April 2020

Historical Account: "Mighty Fin" - 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'.