To find out about how we cast our products, click here.
The Panavia Tornado Preservation Group are proud owners of ZA326, the world’s only Tornado GR.1P aircraft.
ZA326 (cn 016/BT006/3008) was the eighth production Panavia Tornado, and one of the initial 23 RAF IDS aircraft to be built to Batch 1 standard, intended for TTTE. Construction begun in July 1979 and a number of engine runs were performed at BAE Systems Warton between 15th-22nd July 1980 before a severe fire which destroyed the rear of the aircraft on 30th July 1980. The devastation was later found to be caused by recirculation valves not operating correctly, resulting in over-pressurisation of the return fuel pipe.
Eventually repaired with a set of Batch 2 wings and a Batch 6 rear end, ZA326 first flew on 31st March 1983. Painted in the Royal Aircraft Establishment “Raspberry Ripple” colour scheme, it was assigned to the Flight Systems Department at Thurleigh, near Bedford.
(via Andrew Briggs – negative number 7413-B)
ZA326 spent its entire 22-year career as a trials aircraft, taking part in the development of terrain-following radar, all-weather approach, cockpit voice recognition and stores/weapons carriage research. In 1997 it flew a DB-110 camera in a demo pod, a capability which was subsequently developed into the Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for TORnado (RAPTOR).
Credit: Tornado ZA326 – Panavia Tornado Preservation Group (ptpg.org)
TORNADO GR1 ZA326 PRODUCTS
Have your own piece of aviation history…
In partnership with the Panavia Tornado Preservation Group (PTPG), Icarus Originals has designed a unique aviation cord bracelet featuring a stylised Tornado secured on a paracord strap. The striking design is made from genuine airframe aluminium recovered from ZA326 during her renovation by the PTPG and is the perfect high-flying accessory for everyone who loves aviation.
To find out more about Panavia Tornado GR1 ZA326 visit our Original Icons page or click here.
Icarus Originals are proud to support both the Panavia Tornado Preservation Group and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. For every ZA326 bracelet sold, we will donate a proportion of the purchase price to each organisation to help them continue their vital work.
-
Tornado GR1 ZA326 Cufflinks£139.99 -
Tornado GR1 ZA326 Mini Model£59.99