Price range: £75.00 through £300.00
Tornado F3 “Firebird” portrays a Tornado F3 in the colourful markings of Number 56(Fighter) Squadron, one of the most distinguished Battle of Britain and post-war fighter squadrons in The Royal Air Force.
The edition is limited to 56 signed and numbered copies, with 25 artist’s proofs and remarques, and 20 canvas prints.
Signatures:
We have a few artist’s proofs and remarques additionally signed by 8 Tornado F3 aircrew. Contact us for availability and pricing when ordering if you would like a print with these additional signatures.
This striking limited edition print by Michael Rondot pays tribute to the Panavia Tornado Air Defence Variant (ADV). The painting captures the specialized interceptor in its element, showcasing the sleek, stretched fuselage and “swing-wing” design. Specifically, the Tornado F3 served as Britain’s primary shield against Soviet bombers during the final decades of the Cold War. This limited edition print immortalizes a machine that combined high-speed performance with advanced beyond-visual-range lethality. You can find this artwork in our RAF Collection.
Development of the Tornado ADV formally began in 1976 to meet the RAF’s need for a long-range interceptor. While based on the multirole Tornado IDS, this variant featured a longer fuselage to carry four semi-recessed Skyflash missiles. Indeed, the Tornado F3 became the definitive version, utilizing optimized RB.199 Mk 104 engines and an automatic wing sweep control system. This limited edition print highlights the aircraft’s distinctive profile, which allowed it to loiter over the North Sea for hours while awaiting targets. Consequently, the F3 provided a significant leap in capability over the aging Lightnings and Phantoms it replaced.
While the United Kingdom initiated the program, the Italian Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force also operated the ADV. Notably, Italy leased the Tornado F3 as an interim fighter while awaiting the arrival of the Eurofighter Typhoon. During its service life, the aircraft received several upgrades that allowed it to perform the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. This limited edition print captures the “Firebird” at the height of its operational career. Moreover, the RAF and RSAF retired their fleets in the early 2010s to make way for the more agile Typhoon.
Michael Rondot’s intimate knowledge of RAF fast jets ensures that every detail of the Tornado F3 appears with total accuracy. Finally, every limited edition print in this series serves as a timeless record of the “swing-wing” era of British air defense. In fact, the Tornado F3 remains a favorite among veterans and enthusiasts for its rugged reliability and impressive patrol endurance. Therefore, shop our gallery today to secure your own piece of Cold War aviation history. This print represents an essential investment for any collector of Panavia Tornado memorabilia. You can learn more about the aircraft at the IWM Museum Website.
| Dimensions | N/A |
|---|---|
| Print Type | Signed and Numbered, Artists Proof, Remarque, Double Remarque, Canvas Print |
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