Tucano ; the end is nigh !

[big john]

Because they are advanced system trainers, anyway being jets probably about 50% will be on maintenance most of the time. The two squadrons probably do different types of training.
Also they are getting on a bit so they will probably start to be withdrawn in a few years.

[Nighthawke]

Probably part of the 50 frontline!

[von_trippenhopf]

Is this thread making anyone else feel old?
I can remember when the Tucano was the new RAF trainer! Mind you, I can remember when the Tornado was called the MRCA too........

[Mike]

Is this thread making anyone else feel old?
I can remember when the Tucano was the new RAF trainer! Mind you, I can remember when the Tornado was called the MRCA too........

Me too, I remember when the very first Dominies, Jetstreams, JP T5s, and Bulldogs were delivered to the RAF as well. I can still remember skiving off school in Edinburgh on many occasions and getting the train over to Prestwick to wander about the Jetstream & Bulldog production lines. No security in those days, no-one batted an eyelid at seeing an unaccompanied small group of secondary school kids wandering about the place!

[NAM Updater]

At the present time there's a good deal of speculation that not many Tucano aircraft will make it into preservation; a similar situation with the Tornado GR.4s!

[tm74sqn]

Haven't lots of Tucanos been sold off for civil use in the USA?

[NAM Updater]

Possibly, although my understanding was of them being returned to the manufacturer!

[Mike]

Haven't lots of Tucanos been sold off for civil use in the USA?

Loads of them were sold on the civilian market in the USA, have a look at the "ZF" section on UK Serials :- http://www.ukserials.com/

[Vulcanone]

Presumably the second hand sales value to the US means the MoD are likely to cash in on them. Having sold quite a few already.

So long as they aren't going the same way as most of the GR.4 fleet..