"Tornado GR4"

by Brian Fare

Tornado GR4 ZA462 AJ-P
617 Squadron RAF Lossiemouth


Perhaps the most famous RAF squadron currently flying, 617 Squadron was formed at RAF Scampton on 21 March 1943 specifically to undertake one operation - Operation Chastise - the breaching of the German dams using specially modified Lancaster bombers and the bouncing bomb.



The Squadron has operated the Tornado since 1982 initially in the strike role, but latterly in the maritime strike mission based at Lossiemouth and now operates the Tornado GR4. The aircraft depicted in this picture is ZA462 AJ-P and is shown carrying two Storm Shadow long-range air-launched and conventionally-armed missiles underneath the fuselage. It was with 617 Squadron that the Storm Shadow first saw operational service in 2003 during combat in Iraq, prior to entering full service in 2004. The missile is exceptionally accurate with the effect on targets being described as devastating. Based on this performance, it is arguably the most advanced weapon of its kind in the world. In addition to the Storm Shadow, the aircraft is depicted carrying two short-range air-to-air missiles, a BOZ-107 Pod on the right wing to dispense chaff and flares and a Sky Shadow-2 electronic countermeasures pod on the left wing which are used for self protection and two external fuel tanks.



Open edition printed on 300 gsm archival quality, acid free white board using lightfast inks.



Overall Print size: 297mm x 420mm