Panavia Tornado : beaux livres - histoire, versions et technique

Ce livre Duke Hawkins présente aves des magnifiques photos le Panavia Tornado, en service avec les forces aériennes françaises, allemandes, italiennes et saoudiennes. Il montre le Tornado GR4, GR4a, IDS et ECR. Un chapitre distinct est consacré au Tornado F3.
Cet album contient non seulement des photos d'action, mais également de nombreuses photos "de visite" montrant les détails de l'appareil sous différents angles. Chapitres sur le cockpit, le fuselage, l'armement et les travaux de maintenance.

La série "Aircraft in Detail" est née de la collaboration entre pilotes, techniciens aéronautiques et modélistes. Ce tome (n° 5) sur la Panavia Tornado est illustré de plus de 300 photographies en couleurs de très haute qualité, pour la plupart inédites.

Replacing the Vulcan, Buccaneer and Jaguar in the front line of the Cold War, the remarkable swing-winged Tornado GR1 provided Britain s strike capability in the last years of the Cold War in the 1980s, equipping some 10 RAF squadrons.
During the Gulf War, Tornado GR1 crews led Britain s contribution to Coalition operations against Iraq, and in the subsequent years Tornado GR1s were involved almost continuously in operations over Iraq. In 1999 the Tornado GR1 force carried out offensive missions over Kosovo as part of NATO operations in the Balkans.

The Tornado GR1's Terrain Following Radar gave the aircraft a unique capability: it was the first RAF aircraft to have the ability to operate at low-level at night and in all-weathers. The incredible flexibility of both the aircraft and its crews was demonstrated by the successful switch to medium-level operations, using laser-guided weapons, after the Cold War.

This book describes in detail the accomplishments and day-to-day workings of the operational RAF Tornado GR1 units in the UK, Germany, the Middle East and across the globe. It is underpinned by research from original official documents, augmented by the personal accounts by Tornado air- and ground-crews. It is richly illustrated throughout with photographs of the aircraft.

Tornado Boys is the latest in the ever-popular 'Boys' series, and differs from earlier titles. With the introduction of female pilots to the RAF in 1994, the Tornado was among the first aircraft to be flown by both men and women. This is acknowledged in the book with a chapter written by one female pilot.

Another aspect that makes this book different from the rest of the series is that it covers an aircraft which is still in active service, currently as a key player in Middle East operations.
With focus on the GR1/GR4 versions of the Tornado (and not the F3 interceptor), readers will enjoy fascinating insights on what it is like to operate this multi-role bomber/reconnaissance aircraft against the backdrop of modern-day scenarios.

The Panavia Tornado was designed as a multi-role combat aircraft to meet the needs of Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Since the prototype flew in 1974, nearly 1000 Tornados have been produced in a number of variants serving as a fighter-bomber, a fighter and in the reconnaissance and electronic suppression roles.
Deployed operationally in numerous theatres throughout the world, the Tornado has proved to be exceptionally capable and flexible.

From its early Cold War roles it adapted to the rigours of expeditionary warfare from The Gulf to Kosovo to Afghanistan. The early "dumb" bombs were replaced by laser-guided weapons and cruise missiles and in the air-to-air arena fitted with the AMRAAM and ASRAAM missiles.

In this book David Gledhill explores the range of capabilities and, having flown the Tornado F2 and F3 Air Defence Variant, offers an insight into life in the cockpit of the Tornado.
Lavishly illustrated, Darren Willmin's superb photographs capture the essence of the machine both from the ground and in the air.This unique collection including some of David Gledhill's own air-to-air pictures of the Tornado F2 and F3 will appeal to everyone with an interest in this iconic aircraft.

The Tornado F2 had a troubled introduction to service. Unwanted by its crews and procured as a political imperative, it was blighted by failures in the acquisition system. It was adapted from a multi-national design, planned by committee, and developed to counter a threat which disappeared. Modified rapidly before it could be sent to war, the Tornado F3 eventually matured into a capable weapons system, but despite datalinks and new air-to-air weapons, its poor reputation sealed its fate.
David Gledhill, a former Tornado F3 navigator, tells the story from an insider's perspective of the early days as one of the first instructors on the Operational Conversion Unit, through the aircraft's development and operational testing, to its demise. He reflects on the aircraft's capabilities and deficiencies, and analyses why it was mostly under-estimated by opponents.

David Gledhill trained as a navigator and flew the Phantom and Tornado F3 on squadrons and as an instructor. He eventually became the Executive Officer on the Tornado Operational Conversion Unit and also commanded No. 1435 Flight in the Falkland Islands. He was responsible for many of the development programmes for the Tornado F3 and much of its operational testing, both in the MoD and at the Air Warfare Centre, throughout the aircraft's service life.

Concentrates on Tornado Reconnaissance, looking at the two squadrons, II(AC) and XII, the systems they employed, and their worth to the overall structure, interspersed with personal tales of front line operations.

This book explains the concept of the internal recce system, TIRRS and covers the replacement systems JRP and Raptor. Tornado enthusiasts will enjoy the multitude of air to air and ground shots.

When the Gulf Crisis of 1990 was triggered by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the RAF responded by sending Tornado F 3 fighters to Saudi Arabia to help defend the country against further aggression.
These aircraft were followed by the deployment of Tornado GR 1 strike/attack aircraft to Bahrain. Eventually three wings of Tornado GR 1s were established in Bahrain, Tabuk and Dhahran, as well as a detachment of Tornado GR 1A reconnaissance aircraft.
At the start of hostilities in January 1991, the Tornado GR 1 wings carried out night-low-level attacks against Iraqi Main Operating Bases using the JP233 runway denial weapon. Meanwhile, Combat Air Patrols from the Tornado F 3 wing ensured the integrity of Saudi airspace.

Once air supremacy had been established, the Tornado GR 1 force moved to medium-level operations, initially by night and later by day, to attack the Iraqi oil production and storage infrastructure.
The arrival in theatre of a laser designation capability with Pave Spike/Buccaneer and TIALD/Tornado enabled precision attacks against the Iraq transport system to cut off the frontline troops from resupply and reinforcement and then to carry out a systematic destruction of the airfield facilities. Tornado GR 1A reconnaissance operations played a major role in the location of Scud missile launchers and in the planning and execution of the land offensive.
Throughout the conflict, the Tornado F 3 wing at Dhahran carried out defensive counter-air operations to ensure the safety of the base areas.

This volume, publishing 30 years after the conflict to free Kuwait, provides detailed first-hand accounts of the missions undertaken by the Tornado crews. It is illustrated by photographs taken by aircrew involved in the operation and includes 30 newly commissioned profile artworks and detailed nose art views of the aircraft ranged against Iraq.

Der 1974 erstmals geflogene Tornado ist eine Erfolgsgeschichte im militärischen Flugzeugbau und stellt bis heute ein Hochleistungswaffensystem dar, das von vielen Luftwaffen in verschiedenen Rollen eingesetzt wurde und noch wird.

Dieser Band stellt in der gewohnten Tiefe die ganze Spanne der Entwicklung, über die Erprobung bis hin zum aktiven Einsatz dar. Auch und vor allem die Auslandseinsätze der Bundeswehr in den letzten Jahren finden in diesem Band viel Raum. Die Luftwaffe wird den Tornado noch bis 2030 betreiben - bis dahin bleibt er unverzichtbar. Ein topaktueller Band über einen der Eckpfeiler der Luftwaffe.