Tornado GR4 Display

[Harvo266]

Hi guys,
With the RAF Tonka's going out of service in the next few years, is it possible we will get either a solo display or even better the role demo before they sadly leave? Out of all the RAF Display assets that have been canned, the Tornado's are the one's that most people want back.

Thoughts?

[138EAW]

A demo could only happen if XV(R) Sqn did it again. As it is, the three frontline squadron are constantly training for CAS work. For a squadron it's roughly around 8 months between each time a they deploy to Cyprus meaning they couldn't commit. When you factor exercises, Tornados are becoming rare beasts to see on a day to day basis especially at the RAF premier strike base.

Speaking to various people at Marham, the MOD, RAF, BAE etc are or were activity looking at extending the TGRF passed 2019, airframes life isn't meant to be the main issue that could stop it from happening

[Tommy]

Would love to see something or other return, but agree it's unlikely.

It's a stretched force, as highlighted above, and if I remember correctly the Role Demo airshow commitments usually required three jets (with one as spare, iirc?), which is six crews, to say nothing of those on the ground, and the hours needed to allocate time to work up a display prior to PDA, ageing airframes etc...

Shame, as it was one of the last truly great and memorable RAF displays on the circuit. Properly punchy and powerful stuff

Speaking to various people at Marham, the MOD, RAF, BAE etc are or were activity looking at extending the TGRF passed 2019, airframes life isn't meant to be the main issue that could stop it from happening

That's pretty interesting. What is the main issue? Political agenda?

[Oldtower]

Perhaps Boscombe or BAE would like to chip in with a GR4 role demo on limited appearances as per Italian AF Experimentale unit do with their Tornado...... but then i woke up

They were fascinating to watch for sure the role demos and very popular with the public.

[Traveller]

What point would a role demo be -----fly over at 25000ft, point laser, simulate weapons release, return to land. Exciting.

[JJC]

What point would a role demo be -----fly over at 25000ft, point laser, simulate weapons release, return to land. Exciting.

Have you ever heard of a show of force...?

[Timc]

"Fly at 25,000 ft, point laser etc"

Only as an observation, but is there anything you do like?!

[Traveller]

Then let's call things by their proper name such as 'display'. A role demo is what the Hercules did, land, open, people out, take off. The Chinook for eg. was a display.

[cg_341]

It was certainly a demonstration of their role, having watched them practicing it and then doing it "for real" on Salisbury Plain...

[Timc]

So by this logic what should a GR4 perform as a role demo or solo routine at an Air Show?

Let's face it 25000ft is a slight exaggeration I suspect?