Test 'Tonka'
Panavia Tornado GR.1P ZA326 at the South Wales Aviation Museum St Athan Glamorgan. Built at BAe Warton Lancashire in 1980 but suffering a engine fire on ground runs soon after. This delayed its first flight until March 1983, damage to the rear of the aircraft was repaired with new components from the production line, later delivered that same year to RAE Bedford for trials work. This continued after a move to A&AEE Boscombe Down Wiltshire in 1994 finally retiring in 2005 after 22 years of flight test work, also as the UK's last airworthy Tornado. Put into store before moving to the Cold War Jets at Bruntingthorpe Leicestershire in 2013 and a potential for fast taxy runs. After this airfield was sold ZA326 then moved to S.W.A.M. in 2018 where work progressed due to inside hangar work on restoration and spares source including two complete engines. This work done by the dedicated volunteers of the Panavia Tornado Preservation Group.
Footnote:- ZA326 was the only Tornado to be painted in the superb 'Raspberry Ripple' colour scheme.
Test 'Tonka'
Panavia Tornado GR.1P ZA326 at the South Wales Aviation Museum St Athan Glamorgan. Built at BAe Warton Lancashire in 1980 but suffering a engine fire on ground runs soon after. This delayed its first flight until March 1983, damage to the rear of the aircraft was repaired with new components from the production line, later delivered that same year to RAE Bedford for trials work. This continued after a move to A&AEE Boscombe Down Wiltshire in 1994 finally retiring in 2005 after 22 years of flight test work, also as the UK's last airworthy Tornado. Put into store before moving to the Cold War Jets at Bruntingthorpe Leicestershire in 2013 and a potential for fast taxy runs. After this airfield was sold ZA326 then moved to S.W.A.M. in 2018 where work progressed due to inside hangar work on restoration and spares source including two complete engines. This work done by the dedicated volunteers of the Panavia Tornado Preservation Group.
Footnote:- ZA326 was the only Tornado to be painted in the superb 'Raspberry Ripple' colour scheme.