In the year which followed commemorations to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force, one of the most important aircraft since the end of the Second World War was finally withdrawn from service, after providing the backbone of Britain’s aerial strike capability for almost 40 years. Indeed, as if to underline the effectiveness of this magnificent aircraft, eight aircraft which had been on overseas deployment at RAF Akrotiri, only returned to Marham in the days leading up to the aircraft’s retirement.
Thankfully, RAF personnel who were privileged to be the final custodians of the Tornado in the final days of its service career were in no mood to let the aircraft slip away quietly and ensured that the ‘Mighty Fin’ enjoyed a send-off befitting an aircraft of this stature. Three aircraft were presented in special schemes to mark the end of RAF Tornado operations, including GR.4 ZG752, which was given a striking wrap around retro camouflage scheme, similar to the markings applied to the first RAF GR.1 Tornado aircraft which entered service back in 1982.
The tail of the aircraft carries the markings ‘Tornado GR 1982 – 2009’ and its spine proudly displays all the badges of the RAF squadrons, reserve units and training establishments which operated the Tornado during a service career which lasted almost 40 years. As the RAF said farewell to their most effective strike jet, RAF Marham ensured that its impressive service legacy was commemorated in some style.
As the retirement date for the RAF’s last remaining Panavia Tornados approached, base personnel at RAF Marham announced ambitious plans to allow as many people as possible across the UK to say their final farewell to this hard working and extremely effective strike jet. In scenes which were reminiscent of the last flying Avro Vulcan’s national farewell tour in 2015, a trio of Tornados flew three different routes on three consecutive days, overflying RAF stations and locations associated with Tornado during its long service career, with many thousands of people taking the opportunity to take one last look at an aircraft which had served the Royal Air Force so well for almost 40 years.
For thousands of aviation enthusiasts gathered in a field next to RAF Marham though, Thursday 28th February 2019 will be the date they remember as the ultimate tribute to RAF Tornado service, when 11 of the remaining 15 jets took to the air to perform one final massed formation flypast. Officially arranged to mark a course completion ceremony at RAF Collage Cranwell, a perfect diamond nine of Tornado GR.4 strike jets returned to Marham, making three impeccable formation passes over an airfield which will always be linked with RAF Tornado operations. As the aircraft landed back at Marham, the RAFs last remaining Tornados had effectively been retired, but not before their crews had played their part in a spectacular tribute to the ‘Mighty Fin’.
Shipping
$13.50 Flat Rate - Nationwide!
Saturday Delivery
Unfortunately Saturday delivery is no longer available at RC Hobbies.
Delivery
Once RC Hobbies has confirmed acceptance of the buyer's order, we will endeavor to dispatch the buyer's order within
1-3 Business days unless a different time frame is specified in relation to a particular product. If we are unable to dispatch
the buyer's order within the time frame specified by RC Hobbies we will endeavor to contact the buyer and advise
the buyer of the expected dispatch date.
In stock items are generally dispatched on the same day you place your order, unless a different time frame is specified
in relation to a particular product and provided the order was placed before our daily cut off time which is usually
around 1PM.
We use NZ Post, Aramex, and Post Haste for New Zealand orders. Deliveries are usually 2 working days, but please allow an extra
day for big parcels to reach the South Island and for rural deliveries.
We use NZ Post for orders that can fit into overnight courier bags and Post Haste for larger parcels.
Tracking emails will be sent out once parcels have been collected.
The buyer may specify delivery instructions for an order (for example, the buyer may authorise the delivery agent to
leave the products in a specified location if the buyer will not be at the delivery address). RC Hobbies will
not be responsible for any order that is delivered in accordance with the buyer’s delivery instructions.
Delivery to PO Boxes
RC Hobbies can send goods to PO Boxes, except for large freight boxes.
International Delivery.
We're based in New Zealand but we deliver all round the world. Please use our shipping estimator at checkoutfor a shipping quote or contact us and will send you
a quote.
sales@rchobbies.co.nz
Returns Policy
The item I received is not the item I ordered
Provided the item is unopened and in mint condition we’ll replace the item. To receive your replacement you must return the
original item to. You will be provided with a no-cost return addressed courier satchel (or similar)
and we will process your replacement within 1–3 days of receiving your item.
The item I ordered arrived faulty.
Please arrange with RC Hobbies to return the item for testing. If we confirm that the item was damaged before leaving
RC Hobbies, or was faulty out of the box, your item will be repaired or if it cannot be repaired then it will be replaced
by RC Hobbies Ltd free of charge. If the goods are faulty we will meet our obligations under the Consumers Guarantees
Act to provide a remedy.
The item I ordered did not arrive
If your item did not arrive the first thing to do is request a “track and trace” on your item from the Courier Post or Fastway
tracking emails we send out.
Alternatively you can call Courier Post on
0800 268 743 or Post Haste on
09 444 2950
If the “track and trace” on your order indicates that it has been delivered, but you’re unable to find it or it hasn’t been
delivered within the timeframe we will start an investigation with Courier Post & Post Haste on your behalf.
Regrettably, neither RC Hobbies nor Courier Post & Fastway are able to refund or replace items that have been lost, damaged
or stolen after being delivered to your property. If you are concerned about leaving your items unattended we recommend
using “Signature Required” option which is our default option unless advise by the Buyer to use the “No Signature Required”
option.
I've changed my mind and no longer want the item I ordered
Change of mind returns can be processed as long as it has been agreed by RC Hobbies and the item has been returned
within 7 days of dispatch and is unopened and in mint condition. The shipping for the return will also be at the cost
of the buyer. Once we have the item in hand we will assess the item and if everything checks out OK you will receive
a Store Credit or refund less the restock fee and freight charges.
Restock fee
All goods ordered in error by the Customer or goods the Customer wishes to return are subject to a restock fee. The fee is
15% of the goods sales value. This applies if you change your mind, ordered it in error, unwanted Gift or just did not
like it or did not suit you, so please choose carefully and read the descriptions in the listings as some products also
require additional items to complete.
Description
In the year which followed commemorations to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force, one of the most important aircraft since the end of the Second World War was finally withdrawn from service, after providing the backbone of Britain’s aerial strike capability for almost 40 years. Indeed, as if to underline the effectiveness of this magnificent aircraft, eight aircraft which had been on overseas deployment at RAF Akrotiri, only returned to Marham in the days leading up to the aircraft’s retirement.
Thankfully, RAF personnel who were privileged to be the final custodians of the Tornado in the final days of its service career were in no mood to let the aircraft slip away quietly and ensured that the ‘Mighty Fin’ enjoyed a send-off befitting an aircraft of this stature. Three aircraft were presented in special schemes to mark the end of RAF Tornado operations, including GR.4 ZG752, which was given a striking wrap around retro camouflage scheme, similar to the markings applied to the first RAF GR.1 Tornado aircraft which entered service back in 1982.
The tail of the aircraft carries the markings ‘Tornado GR 1982 – 2009’ and its spine proudly displays all the badges of the RAF squadrons, reserve units and training establishments which operated the Tornado during a service career which lasted almost 40 years. As the RAF said farewell to their most effective strike jet, RAF Marham ensured that its impressive service legacy was commemorated in some style.
As the retirement date for the RAF’s last remaining Panavia Tornados approached, base personnel at RAF Marham announced ambitious plans to allow as many people as possible across the UK to say their final farewell to this hard working and extremely effective strike jet. In scenes which were reminiscent of the last flying Avro Vulcan’s national farewell tour in 2015, a trio of Tornados flew three different routes on three consecutive days, overflying RAF stations and locations associated with Tornado during its long service career, with many thousands of people taking the opportunity to take one last look at an aircraft which had served the Royal Air Force so well for almost 40 years.
For thousands of aviation enthusiasts gathered in a field next to RAF Marham though, Thursday 28th February 2019 will be the date they remember as the ultimate tribute to RAF Tornado service, when 11 of the remaining 15 jets took to the air to perform one final massed formation flypast. Officially arranged to mark a course completion ceremony at RAF Collage Cranwell, a perfect diamond nine of Tornado GR.4 strike jets returned to Marham, making three impeccable formation passes over an airfield which will always be linked with RAF Tornado operations. As the aircraft landed back at Marham, the RAFs last remaining Tornados had effectively been retired, but not before their crews had played their part in a spectacular tribute to the ‘Mighty Fin’.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
$13.50 Flat Rate -Nationwide!
Delivery
Once E&E TRADERS LTD has confirmed acceptance of the buyer's order, we will endeavor to dispatch the buyer's order within
24 Hours unless a different time frame is specified in relation to a particular product. If we are unable to dispatch
the buyer's order within the time frame specified by E&E TRADERS LTD we will endeavor to contact the buyer and advise
the buyer of the expected dispatch date.
In stock items are generally dispatched on the following business day, unless a different time frame is specified
in relation to a particular product and provided the order was placed before our daily cut off time which is usually
around 1PM - 2PM.
We use Courier Post and Fastway for New Zealand orders. Deliveries are usually overnight, but please allow an extra
day for big parcels to reach the South Island and for rural deliveries.
We use Courier Post for orders that can fit into overnight courier bags and Fastway for larger parcels.
Tracking emails will be sent out once parcels have been collected.
The buyer may specify delivery instructions for an order (for example, the buyer may authorise the delivery agent to
leave the products in a specified location if the buyer will not be at the delivery address). RC Hobbies 12 Ltd will
not be responsible for any order that is delivered in accordance with the buyer’s delivery instructions.
Delivery to PO Boxes
E & E TRADERS LTD can send goods to PO Boxes
International Delivery.
We're based in New Zealand but we deliver all round the world. Please contact us for a shipping quote or we will send you
a quote after your order has been placed.
sales@rchobbies.co.nz
Returns Policy
The item I received is not the item I ordered
Provided the item is unopened and in mint condition we’ll replace the item. To receive your replacement you must return the
original item to E & E TRADERS LTD. You will be provided with a no-cost return addressed courier satchel (or similar) and
we will process your replacement within 1–3 days of receiving your item.
The item I ordered arrived faulty.
Please arrange with E & E TRADERS LTD to return the item for testing. If we confirm that the item was damaged before leaving
RC Hobbies, or was faulty out of the box, your item will be repaired or if it cannot be repaired then it will be replaced
by E & E TRADERS LTD free of charge. If the goods are faulty we will meet our obligations under the Consumers Guarantees
Act to provide a remedy.
The item I ordered did not arrive
If your item did not arrive the first thing to do is request a “track and trace” on your item from the Courier Post or Fastway tracking emails we send out.
Alternatively you can call Courier Post on 0800 268 743 or Fastway on 09 634 3704
If the “track and trace” on your order indicates that it has been delivered, but you’re unable to find it or it hasn’t been
delivered within the timeframe we will start an investigation with Courier Post & PostHaste on your behalf.
Regrettably, neither RC Hobbies nor Courier Post & PostHaste are able to refund or replace items that have been lost, damaged or stolen
after being delivered to your property. If you are concerned about leaving your items unattended we recommend using “Signature
Required” option which is our default option unless advise by the Buyer to use the “No Signature Required” option.
I've changed my mind and no longer want the item I ordered
Change of mind returns can be processed as long as it has been agreed by E & E TRADERS LTD and the item has been returned
within 7 days of dispatch and is unopened and in mint condition. The shipping for the return will also be at the cost of
the buyer. Once we have the item in hand we will assess the item and if everything checks out OK you will receive a Store
Credit or refund less the restock fee and freight charges.
Restock fee
All goods ordered in error by the Customer or goods the Customer wishes to return are subject to a restock fee. The fee is
10% of the goods sales value. This applies if you change your mind, ordered it in error, unwanted Gift or just did not like
it or did not suit you, so please choose carefully and read the descriptions in the listings as some products also require
additional items to complete.