Falkland F.3`s coming home

[mrlongbow]

I have been informed that the four Tornado f.3`s will be coming home to the UK to be stripped of spares at RAF Leeming. The first 2 aircraft will be brought direct from the Falkland Islands straight to Leeming onboard a AN-124 transporter aircraft this Friday(16th) and the other 2 early next week, either 19th or 20th.

So if you are about the area, a rare chance to see a AN-124 up in these parts.

If the dates are wrong, i will go into hiding

[Richard B]

Thank you for the heads up info.
Would expect a few people to pop along and see the AN124.

[ringo747]

How many F3s are still based out there?

[Gary]

How many F3s are still based out there?

Theres four out there in total

ZG755 Faith
ZG753 Hope
ZE834 Charity
ZG797 Desperation

I think i have the right F3's out there with the right name on each

[ringo747]

Why not keep the spares out there incase they are needed? Are they being retired soon or what?

[Gary]

There being sent back so they can go to Tornado Reduce to Produce and thats meant to keep the GR4 fleet airworthy

[ringo747]

Thanks for the info. I take it that means they won't be going back? Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree here. My understanding is that they are being scrapped for parts? No?

[Mike]

Thanks for the info. I take it that means they won't be going back? Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree here. My understanding is that they are being scrapped for parts? No?

That's correct,they're being shipped back to be cannibalised to help keep the GR4's flying.The 4 Typhoons will stay out there.

[ringo747]

Ah not I got it. Didn't realise there were 4 typhoons out there.

[Gary]

Nope they wont go back to Mount Pleasant and more than likely never fly again unless they prove to be better airframes than the ones at Leuchars? They will go to Leeming and be stripped of any useable parts which will then be sent to Marham or Lossiemouth for use on the GR4's. Well thats the theory anyway

Theres a hangar? at Leeming which is been set aside for this process called Tornado Reduce to Produce

Someone will be able to correct me if i'm completely wrong about any of the above

[mrlongbow]

There is indeed a hangar where the f.3`s meet a horrible death
Quite a few stored in various shelters too, awaiting their fate.

[Tonks]

Out of interest, I saw all four in a happier state a few days before their last flights...

A few pics here...

Tonks

[mrlongbow]

Other two airframes to actually fly back around 29th/30th October now.