RAF Tornado GR4's

[Vermilion]

It was a good job, I only ever wanted to be in the RAF so I guess I was a lucky sod,

I left in 2010, fed up with deserts and spending at least 1/4 of the year away every year. Got to look after the family and being home became more important than anything else.

Back on topic, did you know some of technology and systems on the Tornado originated from the TSR2 programme. Lots of early sixties technology flying around Norfolk & Scotland.

Do you still get the same buzz when you see planes and helicopters as you did when you were a kid wanting to join the Raf ?

Or has it been somewhat de-mystified with the knowledge you've gained working with them every day ?

I look at these things in awe, i mean helicopters! wtf? thin rotars lifting all that weight up and flying as they do, incredible, i've seen it all explained in idiot form how they manage to get their lift etc, but i still look at them and think.....wtf..how the hell can they do that!

[Oberon]

Do you still get the same buzz when you see planes and helicopters as you did when you were a kid wanting to join the Raf ?

Or has it been somewhat de-mystified with the knowledge you've gained working with them every day ?

I look at these things in awe, i mean helicopters! wtf? thin rotars lifting all that weight up and flying as they do, incredible, i've seen it all explained in idiot form how they manage to get their lift etc, but i still look at them and think.....wtf..how the hell can they do that!

Still like fast jets and always try to sneak a looksee if I can, no time for passenger stuff, I would love a trip in one but never got the chance. Knowing about it makes it more interesting as I understand the effort and technology that allows them to do what they do.

Can't stand helicopters, how can you trust a machine that has it's wings go in opposite directions?

Helicopters are also fkin ugly, in fact they only fly because they're so ugly the earth repels them.

Like many others I wanted to be a pilot, my problem was my eyesight wasn't up to it. Still a pilot is just a glorified bus driver.

Think of it like this; you can teach a monkey to ride a bike but you can't teach it to change the tyres.

[Vermilion]

[Oberon]

Told you they're ugly

[Slinky Skills]

I love Helicopters but Jets are definitely my thing.

You guys should get up to the Mach Loop in Wales or the Lake District to see them low flying, it's brilliant.

[Fosterbloke]

I spent a few weeks at RAF Wittering when it was a Harrier base. Loved it and got to see the internals of the nose cone camera (based on the Maverick missile tech I think?).

Tracked a blackbird flying a fair distance away.

[ntto]

my brother was in the raf and flew jaguars, f16s and then onto Typhoon (he was pilot #3)

flew with him in a jaguar a few times and words cannot do it justice. The jaguar is designed for low level so flying 400mph at less than 100 feet (lower than the height of the lighthouse we flew by) was something else