Tornado GR4 Fleet General Info

[Blackcat1]

Really miss her from low in the valleys, I even miss seeing her shape on 360 radar!

[twamoran]

ZA463 ‘028’ will be swapped with ZA554 and enter into preservation at RAF Lossiemouth

134 was delivered into the hangar for disposal swapping with 133 which has been prepped for road move into preservation.

Thanks for the info.

[Unknown74]

Wonder wether Morayvia is obtaining one?

[Vulcanone]

If they do (???)

One things for certain it will not be ZA554.

[twamoran]

Is ZA463/028 still going to Lossie? The fleet list on Page 1 says “for scrapping” so assume plans have changed?

[DavidT]

Can't help I'm afraid.
A real shame that info on the few survivors has dried up of late. Maybe those who were "in the know" have moved on.
I'm sure there are many of us who still have an interest in the fates of these irreplaceable aircraft.
Still hard to come to terms with the fact that the regular trips up to Marham are over.

[twamoran]

Can't help I'm afraid.
A real shame that info on the few survivors has dried up of late. Maybe those who were "in the know" have moved on.
I'm sure there are many of us who still have an interest in the fates of these irreplaceable aircraft.
Still hard to come to terms with the fact that the regular trips up to Marham are over.

No worries, and thanks for your response. ZA587 and ZG752 have now been reassembled at Honington, by all accounts for training use out on the airfield. Maybe someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s the last update I have. Other than ZG775 leaving via low loader a while ago.

[Steven]

Maybe those who were "in the know" have moved on.

Yes I would presume they had. The people on this thread who had the most inside knowledge were all ground crew on Tornado - at least one has since moved on to F-35 and another has gone to Typhoon so it's no surprise that "in the know" knowledge has dried up considering the Tornado has been retired.

[DavidT]

Thanks for the info.
Appropriate that ZA587 should end up at Honington.
In January 1982 it was one of 3 GR1s delivered to IX(B) Sqd at Honington - the first Tornados to join a RAF front line squadron.
Let's hope they take care of it !

[twamoran]

Thanks for the info.
Appropriate that ZA587 should end up at Honington.
In January 1982 it was one of 3 GR1s delivered to IX(B) Sqd at Honington - the first Tornados to join a RAF front line squadron.
Let's hope they take care of it !

Thanks David. Didn’t realise she was one of the original 9 Sqn birds! Unfortunately I think these jets are going to be fairly well “used” at Honington. Perhaps end up like the old Jags at Syerston. Again, happy to be corrected though if someone with more insight happens upon this.

[twamoran]

Maybe those who were "in the know" have moved on.

Yes I would presume they had. The people on this thread who had the most inside knowledge were all ground crew on Tornado - at least one has since moved on to F-35 and another has gone to Typhoon so it's no surprise that "in the know" knowledge has dried up considering the Tornado has been retired.

Thanks Steven. Can we also presume that it’s not serving RAF personnel handling the dismantling/disposal of these jets?

Also, not sure if you’re still updating your excellent list on page 1, but ZG750 (Pinky) has now been scrapped.

[Motley]

On the RAF Honington facebook page they have put up a post about the Tonkas they are getting, they have 2 already including the Camo jet and if i remember say they are getting 4 in total and will be doing open days to see the jets too

[twamoran]

On the RAF Honington facebook page they have put up a post about the Tonkas they are getting, they have 2 already including the Camo jet and if i remember say they are getting 4 in total and will be doing open days to see the jets too

Thanks for the info, I’ll check that out. ZA587 is the other airframe there currently I believe.

[reheat module]

Maybe those who were "in the know" have moved on...

... so it's no surprise that "in the know" knowledge has dried up considering the Tornado has been retired.

Indeed, - having worked on them for 14yrs, I retired in 2013 and have moved on.

[twamoran]

ZA553/045 (listed on Page 1 as “for scrapping”) has arrived at Honington. Swapped for ZD744/092?

[KevinR]

ZA614/076 is still at RAF Marham, parked up opposite 93EA - looks complete, and still fitted with its drop tanks.

Long shot today from the RAF Marham Friends and Families day.
Apparently its the only GR4 left at Marham - I wonder where the others ended up in the end.

[Integrale1]

Of the aircraft from the last days of operations. 133,070,047,028, 055,075 129,076,045 have in some way or another been saved. Either as static display or for training.

Everything else has been recycled at metal processing facilities

[twamoran]

Of the aircraft from the last days of operations. 133,070,047,028, 055,075 129,076,045 have in some way or another been saved. Either as static display or for training.

Everything else has been recycled at metal processing facilities

So ZD744/092 has officially been scrapped then?

[DavidT]

Some of us still hope to keep any GR4 news alive...
Does anyone have any update on fate/current location of ZG771 ?
Cheers
David

[Integrale1]

ZG771 is in storage at Marham awaiting final road movement to its final display location.