HOME      Panavia Tornado
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
Multi-role Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defense Variant) F.3, GR.1 and GR.4 IDS (Interdictor/Strike) aircraft were produced jointly by Germany, Italy and England from 1979 to 1999. Each country manufactured a number of unique specific parts of the aircraft.  In addition, each country did the final assembly of Panavia Tornado aircraft for its own air force. Engines for all aircraft were produced by Turbo-Union from a Rolls Royce design.
 
The IDS Panavia Tornado GR.1 was the first aircraft to fly. It was a replacement for RAF Phantoms and Lightnings. The Panavia Tornado GR.1 had a better rate of acceleration than either of its predecessors.
 
The upgraded Panavia Tornado GR.4 that replaced the GR.1 has the mission of a low level attack aircraft. It is designed to take out high value targets in all weather conditions using its terrain following and ground mapping radar systems.
 
The Panavia Tornado ADV mission is that of a long range interceptor. The primary difference between the Panavia Tornado ADV and other aircraft is its 4' 7” longer fuselage. Its advanced radar system can track up to 20 aircraft while scanning a search area of up to100 miles away.
 
All versions of the Panavia Tornado aircraft have wings that automatically sweep back to maximize the aircraft's aerodynamic performance. The Panavia Tornado aircraft have excellent short take off capability, which together with an on board APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) make them well suited for operation from unimproved forward air fields.
 
The Saudi Arabian Air Force has a combined total of 111 Panavia Tornado ADV and IDS aircraft. During the 1991 Gulf War, Royal Saudi aircraft flew combat patrols along with RAF aircraft. The Saudi aircraft did not see any action. However, the RAF aircraft carried out over 1,500 bombing raids over Iraq. Six RAF Panavia Tornado aircraft were lost due to surface to air missiles.
 
In 1992 Panavia Tornado F.3 aircraft helped patrol Iraqi no fly zones. RAF Panavia Tornado F.3 aircraft also participated in U.N. operations over Bosnia-Herzegovinia.
 
In January 2003 RAF Panavia Tornado GR.4 aircraft participated in the invasion of Iraq using stand-off missiles, GPS guided ordnance and improved anti radar missiles for the first time.
 
A total of 218 Panavia Tornado ADV and 992 Panavia Tornado IDS aircraft were produced.

ADV Specifications

    Primary Function:
    Crew:
    Engines:
    Thrust:
    Length:
    Span Extended:
    Span Swept:
    Weight Empty:
    Max. Weight:
    Cannons:
    Hardpoints:
    Cruise Speed:
    Max. Speed:
    Climb Rate:
    Ceiling:
    Range:
    First Flight:
    Year Deployed:
interceptor
two
Turbo-Union 
2- 16,075 lbs ea.
61' 4"
45' 8""
28' 3"
31,970 lbs.
61,700 lbs.
1- 27 mm
eight
585 mph
1,480 mph
40,000 fpm
70,000 feet
2,650 miles
10/27/79
1985
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane from Modellbau-Bichler.

Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the RC Panavia Tornado airplane from Modellbau-Bichler.  The radio control airplane has a wing span of 33".  Recommended power for the rc airplane is a AXI 12 15/16 motor driving a Vasa Fan 65.
 
The first picture below is of the Panavia Tornado radio control airplane from Traplet Plans, designed and built by Chris Gold.  The RC Airplane has a wing span of 51" spread and 35" swept.  The wings of the radio control airplane sweep open and closed by servo actuation.  Length of the rc Panavia Tornado airplane is 49".  Power for the radio control airplane comes from two HP 300-20-6 motors driving WeMoTec 480 fans.  All up weight of the RC Airplane is 4 1/2 lbs. with Nicd batteries. 
 
The second picture below is the Panavia Tornado radio control airplane from Park Jets plans.  The rc airplane has a 33 1/2" spread wing span and a 21" swept wing span.  Length of the radio control airplane is 36".  A Hyperion Z 2213/30 motor driving a 7 x 6 pusher prop powers the RC Panavia Tornado airplane.
 
The last picture on this page is of the Panavia Tornado radio control airplane slope soarer built from plans obtained from the PSS Model Plans Directory.  The rc Panavia Tornado airplane has a wing span of 48".  Andy Conway designed and built the radio control airplane.  The RC Airplane uses two channel aileron and elevator controls.
If you have a favorite Panavia Tornado radio control airplane, or if you can recommend a GR1, GR4 or F3 rc Panavia Tornado airplane ARF, kit, or plans, please tell us.
 
Radio Control Airplane
Chris Gold and his rc airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from Park Jets plans.
 
 
Radio Control Airplane
Andy Conway and his rc airplane.