Description

Originally designed to intercept Soviet bombers striking from the east, the Panavia Tornado Air Defence Variant was conceived as a stop gap and derived from the hugely successful bomber type. It suffered in its early years from lack of agility and poor systems; nonetheless, while it was never going to be a dog fighter, the advent of more sophisticated missiles and on board systems giving it the option of when and how to fight turned this one-time lame duck into a high value asset capable of holding its own in the fast-moving air superiority environment. With its first flight in 1979 and scheduled to cease operations in 2011, this is a timely photographic study of the Tornado ADV. Including complete histories of all stations and squadrons to operate the type and aircraft service histories alongside thrilling narrative from test pilots, this illustrated book charts the lifetime of a special aircraft.