"Sea Tornado GA.1

[Devilfish]

With the demise of the Royal Navy's carriers and the cancellation of the CVA.01, it looked like the end for fixed wing naval aviation.  However, a lifeline was thrown with the craetion of the "through deck cruiser" and the Sea Harrier.

However, for the Admiralty, this was not enough.  Determined to keep such traditional roles as Anti shipping in the FAA, the Navy looked towards the German Marineflieger, and the idea of having land based Naval aircraft.  After much arguing, they were allowed to keep 2 squadrons of Buccaneers for the role, one at Lossiemouth and one at Yeovilton.

With the introduction of the Tornado, again the Admiralty went to bat. 

They argued that they didn't need such a complicated avionics suite for their role, and eventually they won, but were limited to one squadron at Yeovilton.

The "Sea" Tornado AS.1 as it was dubbed, entered service as a purely anti-ship aircraft. 

Stripped of its specialised land attack equipment (LRMTS and associated avionics) and not needing self defence sidewinders, it found itself to be one of the faster Tornado variants, certainly when "clean"

The RWR was changed to a wider band system to be able to detect all ship's emissions.  The rear seat was dedicated to the anti-ship role.

Usual load was a pair of Sea Eagles.  The GA.1 was the first Tornado to carry the larger "Hindenburg" tanks.

[McColm]

Great backstory and build.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Love it!!   

[SPINNERS]

Looks great!

I still think the UK retired the Tonka too soon (excepting the F3 of course).

[Dizzyfugu]

Elegant. 

[NARSES2]

That is really nice   

However, for the Admiralty, this was not enough.  Determined to keep such traditional roles as Anti shipping in the FAA, the Navy looked towards the German Marineflieger, and the idea of having land based Naval aircraft.  After much arguing, they were allowed to keep 2 squadrons of Buccaneers for the role, one at Lossiemouth and one at Yeovilton.

Been having similar thoughts as an explanation for one of my planned 50's GB build options.

[Old Wombat]

And another sweet build drops from the heavens!

Awesome!

[PR19_Kit]

Such a neat, and logical idea, nice job.

The Lossie squadron would have been 809 of course. 

[su27rules]

    

[Steel Penguin]

very nice back story,  and a cracking looking model 

[TomZ]

Looks very good and an excellent back story

TomZ

[Rheged]

very nice back story,  and a cracking looking model 

A well thought out, credible backstory supporting a first rate model.    Bravo Zulu, as they say in the RN.

[kerick]

Well done! Clearly a should have been!

[Pellson]

Great build! And oh, so logic all over dark scheme! 

[sandiego89]

Great job.!

She would need the big tanks with that load!