Tornado GR1T unveiled at Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

The Tornado was revealed by Wing Commander Erica Ferguson of Royal Air Force Heritage on Friday, March 17.

The aircraft, a Tornado GR1T number ZA319, has spent the last 20 years at a gate guard at Bicester and was in a poor condition when it arrived, but after a repainting and remedial work was looking sleek and tidy for the ceremony.

This is the first aircraft that has been donated to a private collection by the Royal Air Force and Wg Cdr Ferguson recognised the work and effort that had been put in to get the Tornado fit for display.

Wg Cdr Erica Ferguson speaks in front of the Tornado GR1T number ZA319 donated to Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (BDAC) on Friday, March 17. (Photo by David Falcke) (Image: David Falcke)

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Two volunteers from the BDAC, retired Group Captains Roger Beazley and Ron Burrows, who had been involved in the Tornado (initially called the Multi Role Combat Aircraft) from its conception and flew the first pre-production aircraft told of their experiences in developing the plane prior to its acceptance by the RAF.

BDAC project director, retired Squadron Leader John Sharpe, said: “We heard that the aircraft, which had been a gate guard for some 20 years was about to be scrapped. It was an important aircraft, the third one out of the factory and was the aircraft that was at Boscombe Down and cleared by the test pilots for entry into service.

“This is just the first phase, we have cleaned it up, removed the corrosion, painted it in the correct colours and got most of the cockpit back in place and the electrics so the cockpit lights up. 

"Once we have got seats, we will open it up to the public so that they can sit in it, which, in terms of aviation museums is pretty unusual.”