TORNADO DOWN.
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Discussion

wildcat45

Original Poster:

8,159 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
GR4 off the West coast of Scotland. Crew ejected, taken to hosptial.

DieselGriff

5,160 posts

288 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
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Best wishes to them, hope all is okay. The fact they have been found and taken to hospital is certainly good news.

eta BBC Link


Edited by DieselGriff on Thursday 27th January 17:01

Simpo Two

92,641 posts

294 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
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It's a bumper week for the bean counters. Nimrods gone and now one less Tornado to pay for as well.

andym1603

1,884 posts

201 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
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Hi,
I was at Raigmore hospital when the coastguard helicopter landed. Did not see if it was carrying walking wounded or other. Sad to see a plane down but atleast the crew got out. Have to watch the local news tonight.
Andy..

wildcat45

Original Poster:

8,159 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
Yes good to hear they are safe. Two more Matin Baker tie pins on order.

andym1603

1,884 posts

201 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
Taken from Stv news.
A Tornado jet has crashed into the sea off the west coast of Scotland.

STV News understands that the two crew managed to eject from the aircraft before it came down in the sea at Loch Ewe, near Gairloch, Wester Ross, at around 2.45pm.

An RAF spokeswoman said: "We are aware of an incident involving an RAF aircraft off the coast of Scotland."

The aircraft is thought to be a GR4 fighter Tornado jet based at RAF Lossiemouth. It is understood that the aircraft caught fire before it plunged into the sea. Another Tornado is also thought to have been flying nearby - jets often fly in pairs when on training exercises.

A Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter was called to the scene and managed to recover the pilot and navigator. They were taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness before 4pm.

It is thought one of the crew suffered a dislocated knee and the other a sprained ankle in the crash. Staff at Raigmore Hospital described the pair as "walking wounded".

Helicopter skipper Iain Campbell said: "If any day is a good day to go down, then today was it. The weather was perfect, the water flat calm and visibility excellent. It was a textbook recovery job for us which ad a happy ending.

"Both men were fine but could have back injuries so we took all the precautions and flew them to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where they are being treated.

"I didn't hear much about what happened but the lads said the aircraft caught fire at 6000ft and the decision was taken to eject immediately."

A spokesman for Highlands and Islands Airports said: "We can confirm that Stornoway Airport was advised of the possible diversion of a Tornado military aircraft which was in need of assistance.

"A full-scale emergency was declared but emergency services have since been stood down."


Olf

11,978 posts

247 months

Friday 28th January 2011
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Cheaper than scrapping and useful training.

Simpo Two

92,641 posts

294 months

Friday 28th January 2011
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They'd be sending the tax disk back to DVLA for a part refund if it wasn't 200 feet underwater nuts

Olf

11,978 posts

247 months

Friday 28th January 2011
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I think you'll find they've been flying on trade plates for sometime now to save money.

wildcat45

Original Poster:

8,159 posts

218 months

Friday 28th January 2011
quotequote all
Love the way it's called a fighter. I wouldn't want to be relying on A GR4 for Combat Air Patrol.