Description
Object description
Twin-engine (Turbo-Union RB199 afterburning turbofans) variable sweep-wing fighter/bomber, crew of 2.
History note
11 October 1983 to May 1984 served at RAF St Athan
4 May 1984 to February 1987 served with No. 16 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch
19 February 1987 to March 1987 served with No. 617 Squadron at RAF Marham
16 March 1987 to May 1987 served with Nos. 15, 16, and 20 Squadron at RAF Laarbuch
7 May 1987 to 28 May 1987 served with No. 31 Squadron, at RAF Bruggen
28 May 1987 to June 1987 served with No. 15 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch
23 June 1987 to July 1987 served with 27 Squadron at RAF Marham
8 July 1987 to September 1987 served with 15 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch
From 14 September 1987 served with 16 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch
This aircraft (ZA465) also served in the Gulf War with 16 Squadron. It flew the highest number of RAF Tornado bombing missions during the war. During the Gulf war it operated from bases in Saudi Arabia carrying out two runway denial, 28 free fall and 14 laser guided bombing missions. After the war it returned to the UK and was then redeployed to RAF Germany with the famous No.617 'Dambusters' Squadron. The aircraft was then modified to GR1B standard which gave it an additional anti-shipping capability equipped with the Sea Eagle anti-ship missile. Since modification it had been based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland until its transfer to Duxford.
The legal title to the aircraft to the Imperial War Museum was granted in January 2002.
ZA465 was flown on three occasions by RAF Navigator Squadron Leader Kevin Paul Weeks:
4 March 1987 (Pilot: Flight Lieutenant Forward; Squadron: No. 616; Mission: 'Green Flag Mission - 6 ship (4))
21 May 1990 (Pilot: Flight Lieutenant Dalton; Squadron: No. 16; Mission: '2 VI F4 affil lead')
12 June 1990 (Pilot: Flight Lieutenant Jones; Squadron: No. 16; Mission: '3 ship lead FR6 - subsid runway').
Squadron Leader Weeks was killed while flying on operations in the Gulf War - on 22 January 1991 - in another Tornado, along with his pilot Squadron Leader Garry Lennox.
Squadron Leader Weeks's private papers, including his log book, are held in IWM's collections, as are uniform and flight clothing items that belonged to him.