During the late 1960's a number of European countries examined ways to replace their existing fleet of combat aircraft using next-generation design techniques. Several countries looked at variable geometry wing configurations as a means of making a plane perform well throughout a wider flight envelope. Variable geometry allows the pilot and/or fly by wire system to adapt the aircraft's wing shape to the optimal settings dependant on its height, speed, and load. The Tornado takes this one step further and incorporates swiveling weapons pylons that always ensure the stores are parallel to the airframe, thus minimizing drag and improving airflow across the entire surface of the aircraft especially at low altitudes.

Britain and France joined forces on a variable geometry aircraft project, called the Anglo French Variable Geometry (AFVG) project. France was already in the process of developing a variable geometry airframe of its own. In 1968, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy, and Canada formed a working group to look at replacements for the aging F-104. The outcome was initially called the Multi-Role Aircraft (MRA) project, which was later changed to the Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MCRA). Britain later joined this group on the strength of its variable geometry design.

Pictured here is a 1:48 scale replica of a RAF Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter-bomber that was piloted by Johnnie Walker and nicknamed "Still Going Strong", and attached to No.9 Squadron then deployed to RAF Bruggen, Germany, on October 8th, 1984. Pre-order! Ship Date: June 2024.

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Historical Account: "Still Going Strong" - As the oldest dedicated bomber squadron in the Royal Air Force, it was somehow fitting that No.IX Squadron took the honor of becoming the world's first operational Panavia Tornado unit in front-line service when it was equipped with the GR.1 variant in June 1982.

The Tornado was a highly advanced, nuclear-capable strike attack and reconnaissance aircraft of the late Cold War era, with its potentially devastating capabilities meaning that at least four squadrons were usually based in Germany for much of its early service.

Tornado ZD748 was produced as a GR.1 variant in 1984 and delivered to No.IX Squadron at RAF Bruggen on 8th October that same year, where she wore the code AK and was referred to colloquially as 'Anola Kay'.

Proud of their celebrated squadron history, ZD748 later benefited from some special artwork in commemoration of wartime Avro Lancaster B.I W4964, one of only 35 Lancasters which completed at least 100 operational missions: the celebrated 'Centurions'.

This famous aircraft was 'J for Johnnie' and carried the Johnny Walker whiskey brand artwork on its nose, along with the firm's equally famous motto, 'Still Going Strong' and its impressive mission tally scoreboard.

This aircraft dropped a 12,000Ib Tallboy bomb on the German Battleship Tirpitz on September 15th, 1944. Tornado ZD748 was still carrying her 'Johnnie Walker' artwork when she was pictured in the static aircraft display at the RAF Waddington Airshow in the summer of 1993.