No.II (AC) Squadron received their first Tornados by mid-December 1988. During "Operation Desert Storm" the unit performed was awarded "Battle Honors". The Tornado GR.1A is a modified GR.1 with only a few visual differences, panels on either side of the forward fuselage and a small fairing below the cockpit floor. The GR.1A has no canon so reconnaissance equipment could be mounted. There were 30 GR.1As built and ZA371/C serial 172/BS053/3085 was one. For NATO Arctic Exercises in Norway a temporary white paint covers the usual green.

Designed in collaboration with Britain, West Germany and Italy, the Tornado was first flown on August 14th, 1974 and is thought by many to be the most important military aircraft in Western European history. Nicknamed "The Flying Fin" because of its large tail fin, the Tornado has a variable wing sweep design and is capable of taking off and landing on short airstrips. It is equipped with terrain-following radar, which allows for hands-off, low-level flight in any weather. There are three primary versions: an electronic combat/reconnaissance version, an interceptor and a highly versatile strike fighter-bomber capable of carrying almost all of NATO's air-launched weapons.

Info: Tornado GR.1A - Royal Air Force, No. 2 Squadron, RAF Marham, 1995