German Navy Tornados

[F3]

The German Navy was a significant operator of the IDS Tornado which equipped two Wings, MFG 1 @ Schleswig-Jagel and MFG 2 @ Eggebeck. They transitioned to the type from the F-104G, MFG1 in the early '80s and MFG2 a few years later. At first instantly recognizable by their smart grey and white colour scheme they were later hard to distinguish from their Luftwaffe counterparts when they adopted a low vis all grey scheme in the 90s. Altho' it was almost impossible to see them in their natural environment I came across a long forgotten strip of negs taken from the beach @ Bridlington during a family holiday and as soon as I got them in the scanner recognised one as a distant view of a MFG1 Tornado. Made my day.
Tornado IDS 43+71 MFG 1 Lakenheath '88 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS 43+69 MFG1 Air Fete c. '85 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS 43+57 MFG 1 Air Fete c.'86 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS 43 +57 MFG1 Mildenhall c. '85 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS 46+10 Air Fete '92 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS 45+27 MFG1 Finningley '94 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS pair MFG 1 Cottesmore '98 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Tornado IDS German Navy Bridlington (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Rob666]

Thanks for posting, loved the Grey/White scheme, but must say what a family holiday snap.
Rob

[paddyboy]

Hi Mick

Look at those grey/white beasties

Pity about the background activity in No.3

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[halky68]

Fab set just loved the old grey and white scheme.

[jpickers56]

Always enjoy photo’s of the Tornado and particularly nice to see some in MFG markings , great set thanks for posting.

[F3]

Hi Mick

Look at those grey/white beasties

Pity about the background activity in No.3

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

And to think I chose that one just for you Patrick, as a little bird told me you were a big Grasshoppers fan!

[Thunderbolt II]

Really like the Bridlington shot for some reason, very evocative of a much missed era of interesting low level fast jets!

[F3]

Really like the Bridlington shot for some reason, very evocative of a much missed era of interesting low level fast jets!

Thanks very much. I was really chuffed to find that strip of negs and then discovering it was German Navy instead of RAF like another on the strip was a real bonus.

[Blue Diamond]

Always likes the grey/white Kriegsmarine scheme. I think the Bridlington shot is a cut above the normal holiday snap.