RAF Tornado crash

[Dean_W]

I worked on the taxiway construction last year at RAF Marham- the noise of these planes just immense, had to have my ear defenders on a lot of the time. How old are they now Dean, they looked like they were getting on in age?

Commiserations to friends/family/colleagues of the aircrew involved

Yeah they are loud as hell.......I work next to the runway so it gets on my tits!  Nightmare if they are doing circuits.

The age varys to be honest.  Most are around 30 or so years old.  It's not as if they are not looked after, they undergo a major strip and investigation every so many flying hours at a dedicated unit at marham.

[scarr89]

I worked on the taxiway construction last year at RAF Marham- the noise of these planes just immense, had to have my ear defenders on a lot of the time. How old are they now Dean, they looked like they were getting on in age?

Commiserations to friends/family/colleagues of the aircrew involved

Yeah they are loud as hell.......I work next to the runway so it gets on my tits!  Nightmare if they are doing circuits.

The age varys to be honest.  Most are around 30 or so years old.  It's not as if they are not looked after, they undergo a major strip and investigation every so many flying hours at a dedicated unit at marham.

CMU...

I'v heard rumours that they are extending the tonkas til 2020..Will make em nearly 40years in service 

They just keep extending the life of them as if they got rid of them, like the original planned in 2010 & 2015, then they would only be left with the Typhoon which is about as good as a fish with tits. 

[Dean_W]

CMU...

Meaning.....?? 

[Ant1981]

CMU...

Meaning.....?? 

Cuddle my udders.

[JayNesbitt]

Horrible news!!

I am in the RAF,at Leuchars in fife

The jets may well be old but the technicians are very well trained.

[Ant1981]

Most RAF aircraft are old. Age is just a number, interiors may be sh!tty but they work alright.

The two named Flt Lt's were only young too, younger than me. So tragic, for all involved.

[Guy]

there are plenty of old aircraft in service with the RAF... does surprise me sometimes that they are still going but then if it ain't broke don't fix it

what i do find surprising is that we only have two offensive aircraft in the Typhoon and GR4, i still can't understand why the harrier was retired

I am sure, back in the early 90's when I was thinking of joining up, that there were loads more different types of aircraft in service

[Ant1981]

I am sure, back in the early 90's when I was thinking of joining up, that there were loads more different types of aircraft in service

There were, there were loads of awesome aircraft in service then. We've got f**k all now.

Axe the Harriers to save money(?) even though they were due out in 2020 and the F-35 program isn't strickly cancelled, but keep shoving money at the Arrows and BBMF. Hardly money saving sense is it, not that I'd ever want to see the last of our display team, but get the idea?

[Guy]

I am sure, back in the early 90's when I was thinking of joining up, that there were loads more different types of aircraft in service

There were, there were loads of awesome aircraft in service then. We've got f**k all now.

Axe the Harriers to save money(?) even though they were due out in 2020 and the F-35 program isn't strickly cancelled, but keep shoving money at the Arrows and BBMF. Hardly money saving sense is it, not that I'd ever want to see the last of our display team, but get the idea?

trying to think now...

Harrier
Jaguar
Tornado
Phantom
Lightnings (probably pushing it a bit)

[Ant1981]

I am sure, back in the early 90's when I was thinking of joining up, that there were loads more different types of aircraft in service

There were, there were loads of awesome aircraft in service then. We've got f**k all now.

Axe the Harriers to save money(?) even though they were due out in 2020 and the F-35 program isn't strickly cancelled, but keep shoving money at the Arrows and BBMF. Hardly money saving sense is it, not that I'd ever want to see the last of our display team, but get the idea?

trying to think now...

Harrier
Jaguar
Tornado
Phantom
Lightnings (probably pushing it a bit)

Yep, but the lightning retired in 1988 and entered service in 1960. Phantoms retired in 1992.
Also the Shaclketon retired from service 1991 and that design was born from the Lancaster! The ole Victors retired in 1993, cold war bombers converted into tankers, love those beauties. The English Electric Canberra was retired as late as 2006, a proper old school early jet from the late 40s/early 50s!

There's bound to be more that I can't remember. There were loads in service through the 90s, but those above are just some of the golden oldies that flew through the 90s and have retired since.