Panavia Tornado GR.Mk 1 – Debbie, 31 Sqn RAF, Bahrain, Operation Granby 1991

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA6716: Panavia Tornado GR.Mk 1 ZD790 Debbie, 31 Sqn RAF, Bahrain, Operation Granby 1991. Production run of 700 models

Length 9.25 inches Wingspan 7.75 inches

In 1991 during the Gulf War British forces were part of an alliance to remove Iraq from Kuwait. Iraqi president Saddam Hussein had his forces invade Kuwait and for seven months ignored warnings from the UN to leave. A coalition of member countries gathered in Saudi Arabia and began to forcibly remove Iraq from Kuwait. The British forces involved in the operation used the name “Operation Granby”. One of the British Tornados to take part was ZD790 from the 31 Squadron nicknamed “Snoopy Squadron”. ZD790 was built in 1984 and flew 28 sorties during the operation.

Designed in collaboration with Britain, West Germany and Italy, the Tornado was first flown on August 14th, 1974 and is thought by many to be the most important military aircraft in Western European history. Nicknamed “The Flying Fin” because of its large tail fin, the Tornado has a variable wing sweep design and is capable of taking off and landing on short airstrips. It is equipped with terrain-following radar, which allows for hands-off, low-level flight in any weather. There are three primary versions: an electronic combat/reconnaissance version, an interceptor and a highly versatile strike fighter-bomber capable of carrying almost all of NATO’s air-launched weapons.