AviationCorner.net - Aircraft photography

AviationCorner.net - Aircraft photography - Panavia Tornado GR1

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Aircraft

United Kingdom - Royal Air Force
Panavia Tornado GR1 (ZA399)

Location and date

Knutsford (United Kingdom)

January 31, 2015

Photographer

Remarks

Surprising what you might find at the back of an industrial estate!!
ZA399 first flew in November 1982 and played a key role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where it was tasked with daring low and medium altitude bombing missions against heavily defended Iraqi targets. Known as ‘Granny‘ during the conflict, ZA399 was among 60 GR1s deployed to air bases at Muharraq in Bahrain, as well as Tabuk and Dhahran in Saudi Arabia.After almost 20 years service, the ex-617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron strike jet was relegated to secondary ground instructional duties at RAF St Athan in Wales until 2006, when it was transferred RAF Cosford. Purchased by Oliver Valves Ltd in 2013, the decorated Tornado can now be seen guarding the entrance to their premises in Knutsford, Cheshire.