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The Tornado F.3 is intended for long-duration combat air patrols (CAPs) working in conjunction with Boeing E3D Sentry or other AEW/AWACS aircraft and was originally developed from the Tornado GR.1 bomber variant. The Tornado successively replaced the Lightning and Phantom squadrons in the air defence role.
The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft, jointly developed and manufactured by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany.
The aircraft at RAF London carries the name ‘Bob’ from the popular television comedy series ‘Black Adder’.
The Turbo-Union RB199 is a turbofan jet engine designed and built in the early 1970s by Turbo-Union, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce, MTU and Aeritalia. The only production application was the Panavia Tornado.
Modified to a GR1B in 1994 to carrying the Sea Eagle anti-shipping missile. The Tornado GR1B was a specialised anti-shipping variant of the GR1, replacing the Blackburn Buccaneer. 26 aircraft were converted and were based at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland. Each aircraft was equipped to carry up to four Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles.
Last served with No.2 (AC) Squadron. Delivered by road to RAF Museum London in July 2003.
A Panavia Tornado GR1 is on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
…in the meantime let’s take a look at the Germans.
One thing that I thought that Battlefront would do when they released the Germans for Team Yankee was that they would do a minimal release and was pleasantly surprised by the range of models they did in fact bring out.
With the initial releases for the US (and Soviet) I was slightly disappointed with the limited number of models that we got. Though we had the M1 Abrams, we didn’t get the M60A3 MBT.
It felt like a really limited release, so when I saw that Battlefront were going to release German and British forces my expectation was that we would get a limited number of vehicles. So to get thirteen sets for the Germans compared to the seven for the US was really refreshing.
I did like the Raketenwerfer model, something very different.
I also was pleased to see the Marder too.
I think it would be nice to have seen the Kanonenjagdpanzer, but you can’t have everything.
![Reportage Bundeswehr Kanonenjagdpanzer, Munsterlager, KTrS III [Munsterlager, Truppenübungsplatz in der Lüneburger Heide]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ifelix.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Bundesarchiv_B_145_Bild-F027421-0002_Kanonenjagdpanzer_KanJPz_-_Jagdpanzer_Kanone_90_mm.jpg?ssl=1)
As a result I have higher expectations for the future British releases. I am hoping to see the following models release for the BAOR forces.
I would like to see both the Chieftain and Challenger 1 main battle tanks, but if the American releases are anything to go by then we might only get one tank and I suspect that will be the Challenger.
I think we might also see the light tanks or armoured reconnisance vehicles the FV101 Scorpion and FV107 Scimiatar. They are very similar vehicles I can see how we could have both. The Scorpion and the Scimiatar were part of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family. As they shared common automotive components and suspension I can see how easy it would be, if we get the Scorpion we could also get other members of the CVR(T) family such as the Spartan armoured personnel carrier (APC).
As well as the Sultan command and control vehicle, Samaritan armoured ambulance, Striker anti–tank guided missile vehicle and possibly even the Samson armoured recovery vehicle.
The main British APC in 1985 was the FV432 APC so I suspect that may be a likely contender for a model. 1985 is a bit early for the Warrior IFV that entered service in 1987.
In terms of artillery, though the British will probably get the M109 it would be interesting to see if we get the FV433 Abbot SPG. If we get the FV432 then we may get the FV438 Swingfire variant (as well as other FV430 series variants).
We already have the German Tornado, so no surprise if we have an RAF version.
I would also like to see, but don’t expect to see various British armoured cars such as the Humber Pig, the Ferret armoured car or even the Alvis Saladin Armoured Car.
So what do you think we will see for the Team Yankee releases for the British?
Image credits: Wikipedia and Battlefront