Corgi AA39801 Panavia Tornado F3, ZE763/HD, 111 Sqn, RAF Leuchars, Scotland 2010

Formed in Palestine on the 1st August 1917, 111 Squadron had a long and illustrious career within the RAF, operating aircraft such as the Hurricane and Spitfire during the Second World War before moving onto the Meteor F8 in the immediate post war period. The last aircraft the Squadron operated before disbandment in March 2011 was the last of the RAF’s swing-wing interceptors, the Tornado F3. The disbandment of 111 Squadron also saw the retirement of the Tornado F3. Serving the RAF well throughout its’ 25 years of service, the F3was the RAF’s standard interceptor throughout this period; guarding the UK’s airspace from their base at RAF Leuchars, Scotland, against any potential intrusions from aircraft such as Russian ‘Bear’ reconnaissance aircraft. A spectacular machine that will be sorely missed by both its Squadrons and its adoring public, the Tornado has now been replaced by the even more capable Eurofighter Typhoon.