Panavia Tornado GR4 – ZA542, 31 Sqn RAF, Italy, Operation Ellamy 2011

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA6708: Panavia Tornado GR.Mk 4 ZA542 of 31 Sqn RAF, Italy, Operation Ellamy 2011. Production run of 1,000 models.

Length  9.25 inches Wingspan 7.75 inches

The 2011 UN Security Council Resolution 1973 was designed to protect Libyan citizens during the civil war that broke out to replace Muammar Gaddafi as president. In response NATO allies began to enforce a no-fly zone designated Operation Unified Protector. Participants were from the U.S., Canada, France and the UK who called their participation “Operation Ellamy”. Tornado GR.4s from RAF Marham were equipped with Brimstone missiles and Paveway IV bombs. One aircraft from 31 Squadron “Gold Stars” flying from Gioia del Colle AB Italy was ZA542/035 delivered to the RAF in 1982

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.