Originally designed to intercept Soviet bombers striking from the east, the Panavia Tornado Air Defence Variant was conceived as a stop gap, deriving from the hugely successful bomber type. It suffered in its early years from lack of agility and poor systems. However, despite the fact it would never be comparable to a dog fighter, the advent of more sophisticated missiles and on-board systems gave it the option of when and how to fight and turned this one-time lame duck into a high-value asset, capable of holding its own in the fast-moving air superiority environment. With its first flight in 1979, this is a timely tribute and photographic study of the Tornado ADV before its operations cease in 2011. Featuring complete histories of all stations and squadrons to operate this type of aircraft alongside individual airframe histories, and stunningly illustrated with a number of striking colour photographs, this book charts the lifetime of a special aircraft, forming a perfect tribute to the Tornado ADV.
