Where to see the RAF Tornado Farewell tour of UK

RAF Tornado at Cardiff Airport (Image: Aviation Media Co.)
RAF Tornado at Cardiff Airport (Image: Aviation Media Co.)

The Royal Air Force (RAF) will be carrying out a farewell tour of the UK next week as it marks the end of service for the Tornado fast jet.

The times have been announced!

Full timetable here

The Panavia Tornado, affectionately known as “Tonka”, has been in service with the RAF in various forms for nearly four decades and it was Britains front line Cold War fighter bomber. It saw its combat debut in 1991 during the Gulf War and proved an effective ground attack aircraft.

The last of the Tornados flew their final operational sortires on the 31st January, and the final GR4 variants flew back from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at the start of February officially handing over the reins of its duties to the latest generation Typhoons.

To mark their retirement a farewell tour will be launched from RAF Marham, the UK’s last Tornado Base. It will take in sites key to the Tornados RAF history across 3 days.

February 19th

  • RAF Cottesmore
  • National Arboretum Memorial
  • DECA Stafford
  • RAF Shawbury
  • DECA Sealand
  • RAF Valley
  • BAE Warton
  • BAE Salmesbury
  • RAF Spadeadam
  • RAF Leeming
  • RAF Topcliffe
  • RAF Linton On Ouse
  • RAF Waddington
  • RAF Cranwell
  • RAF Conningsby
  • RAF Donna Nook
  • RAF Holbeach

February 20th

  • RAF Honington
  • IWM Duxford
  • RAE Bedford (Site of)
  • Cranfield Airfield
  • RAF Halton
  • RAF High Wycombe
  • RAF Benson
  • HQ Land Forces
  • MOD Boscombe Down
  • RAF Pembrey
  • MOD St Athan
  • Cardiff Airport
  • Filton Aifield (site of)
  • MOD Abbey Wood
  • MOD Shrivenham
  • RAF Brize Norton

February 21st

  • RAF Leuchars
  • RAF Tain
  • RAF Lossiemouth
About Nick Harding 2043 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.