Hobby Master HA6710 | Tornado IDS " Exercise Saudi Sword 2007" No. 703, 7th Sqn., RAF Lossiemouth RSAF

General Background:

The Panavia Tornado was a joint effort between the UK, West Germany and Italy to produce a two-seat, dual-engine aircraft with variable-sweep wings. The Tornado took its maiden flight on August 14, 1974 with the first aircraft being delivered to the German Air Force on July 27, 1979. There are three main variants of the Tornado, the IDS (interdictor/strike), ECR (electronic combat/reconnaissance) and ADV (air defense variant) interceptor. By the end of production in 1998 there had been 992 aircraft of all versions built of which 745 were IDS variants.

The Aircraft;

Normally the Royal Saudi Air Force remains within their own territory but because of their relationship with the UK and the RAF they decided to fly there and do combined exercises with the Brits. Exposure to other force’s tactics and logistics can prove to be of great benefit to the Saudis. “Exercise Saudi Sword 2007” took place at RAF Lossiemouth between August 27 – September 7. Eight Tornados from Dahran AB arrived for the exercise that was hosted by RAF No. 617 Squadron. One of the Tornados was 703/ZE114.

General specifications for the Panavia Tornado IDS Country of origin – Italy, UK, West Germany
Service entry date – 1979
Crew – 2
Dimensions
Length – 17.72 m (58.1 ft)
Wingspan – 13.92 m (45.7 ft) expanded 8.6m swept (28.2 ft)
Height – 5.95m (19.5 ft)

Weight Empty – 13.8 t (30,423 lb) Maximum take off – 27.9 t (61,508.9 lb) Performance
Powerplant 2 X Turbo-Union RB.199 Mk. 103 turbofans Producing dry with afterburners 2 X 38.48 / 71.50 kN

Maximum speed – 2,236 km/h (1,389 mph)
Service ceiling – 15.2 km (49,868.77 ft)
Range – 1,390 km (863.7 miles)
Ferry range with drop tanks – 3,900 (2,423.3) – 4,300 km (2,671.9 miles)
Armament
Cannon – 2 X 27 mm IWKA-Mauser Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles Brimstone anti-tank guided missiles 454 kg free-fall bombs CPU-123/B Paveway II GBU-28 Paveway III laser-guided bombs