Panavia Tornado at Yorkshire Air Museum

The Panavia Tornado was a multi role combat aircraft that was developed between the British, Germans and Italians. Development started in the 1960s using some of the lessons learned from the TSR2 and the first prototype flew in 1974.

The Tornado featured a distinct sweep-wing design which allowed the aircraft to streamline itself for high-speed flight. It was powered by two turbofan engines that were fitted with both afterburners and reverse thrust, to help the aircraft operate from shorter runways.

The Tornado really was a multirole aircraft and was capable of carrying air to surface missiles, air to air missiles, anti-shipping missiles and precision guided bombs.

The Tornado saw service with the Royal Air Force, the Luftwaffe, Italian Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force, among others. The Tornado was retired from service with the Royal Air Force in 2019 when it was replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon.