What if more Tornados were exported?

[GTX]

Hi folks,

Here is another challenge to those of you good at producing profiles.

What if Panavia had a lot more success in selling the Tornado around the world?  Could we have seen the following:

USAF – The IDS was considered as a F-4G replacement in the 'Wild Weasel' role;
Japan – The IDS considered for the FS-X (eventually to become F-2, aka the most expensive F-16 version in the world); and
Canada – interestingly, they were part of the original project that led to the Tornado.

Whilst I'm not sure if the following ever considered the Tornado, I think they do make valid what-ifs:

India – IDS instead of Mirage 2000;
Taiwan – IDS for deep strikes into mainland China;
South Africa – let's say the arms embargo was lifted and a replacement for the Buccaneers was sort in the form of the IDS; and
Spain – what if Spain decided to join the project just as they have done with the Typhoon.

Anyone think of anyone else?

Look forward to seeing some good profiles and possibly some models eventuate.

Regards,

Greg

[Spey_Phantom]

orriginaly Belgium joined the Tornado proram with a requirement for 60 aircraft, but due to the high price and limited AA ability, we went for the viper instead.

would have been nice to see a Belgian tonka  B)  

[Geoff_B]

Well the USAF twice considered the Tornado.

Originally it was envisioned to get upto 18 squadron worth for use in Europe as a strike aircraft replacement. But the F-16 turned out to be able to drop bombs as well as being a light fighter.

Later on it was also seriously considered as an F-4G Wild Wesel replacement.

Japan originally looked at the IDS version then went for the F-3 airfame using the IDS package to get a better strike version.

Holland was also mooted as a partner for the Panavia program.

Also originally the Italain and West German machines were going to be single seaters, slighty shorter strike fighters

G

[AeroplaneDriver]

Or how about this; who would today's customers be if BAE refurbished the already mothballed/soon-to-be-replaced F.3s into an export SEAD Tornado along the lines of the EF.3?

Obviuously it would be great from an enthusiast and capability standpoint for the RAF to retain a squadron of dedicated SEAD EF.3 (or EF.5) Tornados, but who else would be potential customers?  Who is shopping for, or in need of, a dedicated SEAD platform these days?  France?  India?  South Korea? Canada? Oz?

[B777LR]

when USAF ran out of target drones (R/C phantoms), they bought tornados and used them instead!   B)    

[The Rat]

Just wanted to be the first to say...


MAPLE LEAF ROUNDELS!

 

[Hammer-nikit]

A Brazilian Air Force Tornado would look fine!

Especialy if they are the cheap refurbished ones...

Regards,

Hammr

[Damian2]

Hatchet and I were discussing this not too long ago My 4 EF.3s are all ending up as whiffs from the following countires:

USA:- USAF F-15E alike: all over gunship grey with 2 GBU-24s

Japan:- JASDF: Interceptor in the place of the F-15

South Africa:- SAAF: IDS strike package in the more areodynamic frame of the F.3

Iran:- IIRAF: in that cool new F-14 camo of theirs!  

[anthonyp]

Funny this subject came up today.  I just started building a Tornado IDS for Thailand.

[Hatchet]

Hatchet and I were discussing this not too long ago My 4 EF.3s are all ending up as whiffs from the following countires:

USA:- USAF F-15E alike: all over gunship grey with 2 GBU-24s

Japan:- JASDF: Interceptor in the place of the F-15

South Africa:- SAAF: IDS strike package in the more areodynamic frame of the F.3

Iran:- IIRAF: in that cool new F-14 camo of theirs!

Also, the USAF F/A-19 Tornado would have a TRAM turret

Japanese attack bird in that cool blue camo, with 2 ASM-2s

RAF GR.3, a GR.1 with the F.2 fuselage (making the F.3 the F.4, and the GR.4 would become the GR.5)

[rallymodeller]

I'll drop one here:

[GTX]

Hatchet,

You took the words right out of my mouth:

Japanese attack bird in that cool blue camo, with 2 ASM-2s

A Tornado in these colours is exactly what I had in mind when I started this discussion:



Regards,

Greg

[Damian2]

Greg thats exactly what we were discussing, also added to the "Blue" list were:

Jaguar
Tomcat
Skyhawk
F-111

Its just such a cool scheme!

[Jschmus]

If I can ever get the paint together, I'm planning on doing up my Trumpeter F-107 as a JASDF "Tenguzame*" in one of their blue aggressor schemes.

* - Japanese for Goblin Shark

[elmayerle]

I've got plans for a F-15EJ in those colors and carrying a goodly selection or ordnance.