This site has not been updated for a long time but I have brought it back for old times sake and fond memories!
READ this . . . . 'Wibbles Story'
28th March 2012
26th March, 2012
26th to 28th March 2011 was a time of reflection and farewells to the Tornado F3!
Here we are on the 26th March, 2012 reflecting on what happened a year ago . . . .
"Fond Memories of great people, happy times and a lovely jet"
"Fond Memories of great people, happy times and a lovely jet"
TORNADO F3 POSTER - FREE in May's issue of Air Forces Monthly
A Proud tribute to the Tornado F3 done by Squadron Prints Ltd for Air Forces Monthly
Many of the Specially marked Tornado F3 aircraft are included in this
TORNADO F3 POSTER
Look out for the issue with a Tornado F3 on the FRONT COVER
Many of the Specially marked Tornado F3 aircraft are included in this
TORNADO F3 POSTER
Look out for the issue with a Tornado F3 on the FRONT COVER
FAREWELL TO THE TORNADO F3
(sadly not "In to the Sunset" but in to the haze and overcast skies - no sun at RAF Leuchars on the 28th!)
Video Clip from You Tube
********** Great people in the air and fabulous people on the ground **********
********** "ALL of the F3W" and the "LAST of the F3W"(well most of them) **********
********** IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE and THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES **********
"Farewell old friend - You have made many proud!"
********** "ALL of the F3W" and the "LAST of the F3W"(well most of them) **********
********** IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PLEASURE and THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES **********
"Farewell old friend - You have made many proud!"
31st March, 2011 - Cheerio 111
26th March, 2011
FAREWELL to the F3W was held in the hangar at RAF Leuchars - terrific night and a great send of to the F3!
Great to see MANY old friends but those that were not there were sorely missed!
NEW BOOK NEW PRINT NEW BOOK NEW PRINT NEW BOOK NEW PRINT NEW BOOK NEW PRINT
Book Launch at the MOD in London went well - thanks to the "Elders of the F3W" who attended!
AVAILABLE EARLY TORNADO F3 - 25 YEARS OF AIR DEFENCE BOOK AVAILABLE EARLY
NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS
25th March, 2011 - Stella Express arrived on time as did many others!
Have a great weekend "ALL OF THE F3W"
25th March, 2011 - "HP" departed for RTP at RAF Leeming
24th March, 2011 - 111(F) Squadron
F3WER and F3WER again . . . today "HH" and "HL" departed for their retirement at RAF Leeming!
"HB" ZE961 "The FIRST and the LAST OF THE F3W" has departed RAF Leuchars
This aircraft was 43(F) Squadron's first Tornado F3 "GA" which was delivered to RAF Leuchars during the airshow in 1989 by the then Squadron Commander Wg Cdr Andy Moir OBE
18th March, 2011 - F3WER and F3wer :-( Bye Bye "HD"
17th March, 2011 - PRESS DAY for 111(F) Squadron's disbandment CLICK HERE for TV report
17th March, 2011 - OVER 4,200 hrs in Air Defence Flying
14th March, 2011 - "Shed" Done
10th March, 2011 - 1st book review in - read it here!
9th March, 2011 - Tornado F3 . . . F3WER and F3wer :-( Bye Bye 'HA' & 'HY'
The RAF Leuchars Airshow in 1989 saw the arrival of the first Operational Tornado F3 “ZE961 “GA” to be based in Scotland and served initially with 43(F) Squadron. Now, some 21 years later, that same aircraft is still proudly serving in the hands of 111(F) Squadron but that aircraft, aircraft type and the Squadron are about to be retired in March 2011.
Squadron Prints Ltd, the well-known Scottish based Aviation Art Company are launching a tribute book to the Tornado F3 – an aircraft that, in a quarter of a century of service, has constantly been on operational duty; served with many famous RAF fighter squadrons; the silent guardian of UK airspace, ever vigilant as it sat poised for launch on Quick Reaction Alert. The aircraft was taken to war in the Gulf, twice, and patrolled the No-Fly Zones in the Balkans and Iraq for years. In the South Atlantic, the Tornado F3 performed an uninterrupted stint of 17 years, concurrent with other operations and training exercises around the world. Every RAF Squadron and unit that operated the F3 plus the Royal Saudi Air Force and Italian Air Force are covered. Exercises, operational deployments, special events and emotions are all portrayed by “F3 people” in this book with the aim of producing a fond commemoration to the aircraft and the people that flew it, maintained it and adored it up close and from afar!
In this book, the men and women of the F3 Force, past and present take you around the world at supersonic speeds with stories of dark nights over the North Sea and hot days above the burning oilfields of Kuwait. From the Baltic coast to a final public bow at the Leuchars Airshow, with the wings swept back and the throttles parked in the “top left corner” ~ never before has the story been told of what it was really like to fly, fix and fight the Tornado F3 whilst based at Coningsby, Leeming, the Falkland Islands and Leuchars. Recently the Squadron Prints Team consisting of Berry Vissers, Gill Howie and Mark McEwan donated over £10,000 to the RAF Benevolent Fund from the sale of their most recent book “Northern Exposure – the RAF at work in Scotland”. This time the team has been joined by Geoffrey Lee, the world renowned Aviation Photographer and Wg Cdr Justin Reuter RAF (Former F3 Navigator and current serving Officer) to produce a manuscript of anecdotes along with distinctive and colourful photographs from home and abroad, many of which have never previously been published, and at the same time raising funds for RAFA (RAF Association).
TORNADO F3 is a “must have” for anyone associated with the Tornado F3 – from aircrew and ground crew, enthusiasts and model makers, but also for anyone with or without an interest in aviation. £2 from every book sold will go to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) charity.
Squadron Prints Ltd whose long association with the RAF and the Tornado F3 go back many years are publishing the book. They have produced several books as well as their highly acclaimed series of lithographic prints for almost all the RAF’s Squadrons for well over 30 years. The book IS SOLD OUT
(a Postage and packing fee will be added)
The book contains 188 pages, and has been brought together by the authors out of a great fondness for the aircraft. The book is available through
Squadron Prints Ltd
SOLD OUT
ISBN 978-0-9512656-5-9
Book Size: 210mm x 297mm
Softback
Squadron Prints Ltd, the well-known Scottish based Aviation Art Company are launching a tribute book to the Tornado F3 – an aircraft that, in a quarter of a century of service, has constantly been on operational duty; served with many famous RAF fighter squadrons; the silent guardian of UK airspace, ever vigilant as it sat poised for launch on Quick Reaction Alert. The aircraft was taken to war in the Gulf, twice, and patrolled the No-Fly Zones in the Balkans and Iraq for years. In the South Atlantic, the Tornado F3 performed an uninterrupted stint of 17 years, concurrent with other operations and training exercises around the world. Every RAF Squadron and unit that operated the F3 plus the Royal Saudi Air Force and Italian Air Force are covered. Exercises, operational deployments, special events and emotions are all portrayed by “F3 people” in this book with the aim of producing a fond commemoration to the aircraft and the people that flew it, maintained it and adored it up close and from afar!
In this book, the men and women of the F3 Force, past and present take you around the world at supersonic speeds with stories of dark nights over the North Sea and hot days above the burning oilfields of Kuwait. From the Baltic coast to a final public bow at the Leuchars Airshow, with the wings swept back and the throttles parked in the “top left corner” ~ never before has the story been told of what it was really like to fly, fix and fight the Tornado F3 whilst based at Coningsby, Leeming, the Falkland Islands and Leuchars. Recently the Squadron Prints Team consisting of Berry Vissers, Gill Howie and Mark McEwan donated over £10,000 to the RAF Benevolent Fund from the sale of their most recent book “Northern Exposure – the RAF at work in Scotland”. This time the team has been joined by Geoffrey Lee, the world renowned Aviation Photographer and Wg Cdr Justin Reuter RAF (Former F3 Navigator and current serving Officer) to produce a manuscript of anecdotes along with distinctive and colourful photographs from home and abroad, many of which have never previously been published, and at the same time raising funds for RAFA (RAF Association).
TORNADO F3 is a “must have” for anyone associated with the Tornado F3 – from aircrew and ground crew, enthusiasts and model makers, but also for anyone with or without an interest in aviation. £2 from every book sold will go to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) charity.
Squadron Prints Ltd whose long association with the RAF and the Tornado F3 go back many years are publishing the book. They have produced several books as well as their highly acclaimed series of lithographic prints for almost all the RAF’s Squadrons for well over 30 years. The book IS SOLD OUT
(a Postage and packing fee will be added)
The book contains 188 pages, and has been brought together by the authors out of a great fondness for the aircraft. The book is available through
Squadron Prints Ltd
SOLD OUT
ISBN 978-0-9512656-5-9
Book Size: 210mm x 297mm
Softback
RAF LEUCHARS - 20th JANUARY, 2011 Photos by Berry Vissers
"FIREBIRD" Released by Mike Rondot
Contact Mike to buy yours NOW at Collectair by clicking HERE
A New Limited Edition by Michael Rondot.
50 Signed and Numbered copies £95.00
25 Artists proofs with a Squadron Badge drawing £ 150
25 Remarques with a detailed aircraft drawing £235
Contact Mike at 01362 860890
Click HERE to see the Collectair Website
A New Limited Edition by Michael Rondot.
50 Signed and Numbered copies £95.00
25 Artists proofs with a Squadron Badge drawing £ 150
25 Remarques with a detailed aircraft drawing £235
Contact Mike at 01362 860890
Click HERE to see the Collectair Website
QRA NEWS
JetNoiseForever's Video Tribute to the
"LAST OF THE F3W"
CLICK HERE for You Tube Link
Dee Gee's Tornado F3 Videos
(If you click and watch - please give a few £££ to Help for Heroes - Thanks)
To ALL on Treble One Fighter Squadron - THANK YOU for working SO hard all weekend and getting the 4 ship in the air - it was a marvellous sight and a fabulous public finale at the RAF Leuchars Air Show -
WELL DONE and THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED!
THE FIRST 43(F) Squadron Tornado F3 aircraft flew to RAF Leuchars on the 23rd September, 1989 at the RAF Leuchars airshow was "GA" ZE961. Nearly 21 years later - on the 11th September, 2010 the last aircraft to land in the FINAL PUBLIC APPEARANCE of the Tornado F3 was also ZE961 "HB" now in the colours of CXI(F) Squadron ~
THE FIRST AND THE LAST OF THE F3W! CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
RAF LEUCHARS
"The Final Operational Tornado F3 Station"
The Station is primarily responsible for maintaining Quick Reaction Alert (North), providing crews and aircraft at 10 minutes readiness 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to police UK airspace and to intercept unidentifed aircraft.
The Station was home to 111(F) Sqn (Tremblers) but now the residents are No 6 Squadron, No 6 Force Protection Wing HQ, No 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (the Air Transportable Surgical Squadron), 71 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers), the East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron and Number 12 Air Experience Flight. RAF Leuchars Typhoon base. Typhoon's arrived on 6th September, 2010. It is planned that RAF Leuchars will become the new home to a further 2 Typhoon Sqns . RAF Leuchars personnel are engaged in operations and deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.
The Station recently was home to two other Tornado F3 Squadrons - 43(F) Squadron "The Fighting Cocks" disbanded on 13th July, 2009 and 56(R) Squadron "The Firebirds" closing with the Tornado F3 on 5th February, 2008. 111(F) Squadron disbanded on 31st March 2011 with the public F3 Finale being staged at the 2010 RAF Leuchars Airshow!
RAF Leuchars is on the Northern bank of the River Eden in the Kingdom of Fife near to the "Home of Golf" - St. Andrews
RAF Leuchars hosted the Premier Air Show in Scotland in September each year
The Station was home to 111(F) Sqn (Tremblers) but now the residents are No 6 Squadron, No 6 Force Protection Wing HQ, No 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (the Air Transportable Surgical Squadron), 71 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers), the East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron and Number 12 Air Experience Flight. RAF Leuchars Typhoon base. Typhoon's arrived on 6th September, 2010. It is planned that RAF Leuchars will become the new home to a further 2 Typhoon Sqns . RAF Leuchars personnel are engaged in operations and deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.
The Station recently was home to two other Tornado F3 Squadrons - 43(F) Squadron "The Fighting Cocks" disbanded on 13th July, 2009 and 56(R) Squadron "The Firebirds" closing with the Tornado F3 on 5th February, 2008. 111(F) Squadron disbanded on 31st March 2011 with the public F3 Finale being staged at the 2010 RAF Leuchars Airshow!
RAF Leuchars is on the Northern bank of the River Eden in the Kingdom of Fife near to the "Home of Golf" - St. Andrews
RAF Leuchars hosted the Premier Air Show in Scotland in September each year
