Introduction The Tornado F3 was selected for development from the original Tornado GR1 attack aircraft in the late 1970's as the RAF's dedicated fighter following a review of other NATO candidate aircraft. A total of 170 were ordered. The main visible difference from the GR1 or GR4 attack aircraft is the longer fuselage, which permits a greater internal fuel carrying capacity. It entered service at an interim F2 standard with the RAF in 1985. Initial deliveries of the definitive Tornado F3 were made in 1986. The F3 was fitted with the long range Foxhunter radar and more powerful engines, the Turbo Union RB-199 Afterburning turbofans with reverse thrust installation. Seven squadrons were formed, two of which were subsequently disbanded in view of the reduced threat of air attack to the UK. The variant is also in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force and, until the end of 2004, the Italian Air Force leased Tornado F3 aircraft from the RAF. The pilot in the front seat flies and fights the aircraft, while the rear seat weapons systems officer (WSO) controls the radar and defensive countermeasures systems. An important feature of the F3 is its ability to patrol at long distance from its base, supported by air-to-air refueling. The aircraft is capable of operation in all weather and at night, using night-vision goggles. In its usual air defense role, the F3 can receive real-time information on approaching targets through a data link from patrolling Airborne Early Warning E3 Sentry aircraft (AWACS) and attack nominated targets using its AMRAAM missiles. In the anti-radar role, F3's can pass information on the location of an opponent's radar site back to the E3 Sentry or ground-stations for onward relay to other aircraft or ground forces. Under the AMRAAM Optimization Programme, these aircraft are being modified to engage several targets simultaneously with greater accuracy and a higher probability of success. Installation and Documentation Installation is as easy as downloading and paying for the AlphaSim package from the AlphaSim website, either for FS2004 (FS9) or FSX and deciding whether to add the extra package to obtain more variants for either simulator version. Having downloaded the required packages totaling 100 Mb in all for either version, opening them in either FSX or FS2004 will reveal a number of squadron aircraft and fitments as required. Download Details: Main Package Expansion Package The Panavia Tornado F.3
Walking around the Panavia Tornado F.3 reveals a plethora of “sticky-out” bits, and the detail is superb. Starting with the nose wheel bay and strolling around in a clock-wise direction, one can observe two nose gear doors, and a twin wheeled nose gear assembly with a forward torque link and steering unit, the cannon ports which contain IWKA-Mauser 27mm Cannons, pitot tubes, and huge air intakes at the engine inlet area at the wing root. This is followed by a fully “articulated and swing” (variable-geometry) wing, with leading edge flaps, and under wing hard points for weapons and external fuel tanks as required, plus the ability to carry an ECM (Electronic Counter-measures Module) pack. Next, the trailing edge flaps with additional inboard spoilers to augment roll control as well as functioning as lift dumpers on landing. Moving into the main gear bay area reveals an under fuselage ram air intake to provide for air conditioning for the cockpit, and also pressurization for the cockpit module. The main landing gear is nicely modeled, a hydraulic oleo system with retraction via a side stay assembly and main gear door incorporated with a landing light. Next we see fuselage pylons for more weapons, and moving back down the rear fuselage, reveals a large bucket door and exhaust nozzle for each of the two side by side engines. A quick observation at this point is that the tail area of a Tornado is always filthy with exhaust soot, thrown up when the reversers are selected on landing. The bucket doors direct engine airflow down and forward into the ground on the underside, but up and forward on the topside, which always results in a dirty tail end, streaked and stained in most cases, especially as this is an all-weather fighter.
The paint schemes cover the Italian Air Force as well as the Royal Air Force, and the configuration of the aircraft ranges from a clean display version through to a heavily armored aircraft, and even the training load out has large external fuel pods.
Panels The Tornado F.3 sports several panels, the pilot having the usual instrument and side displays and the weapons systems officer behind the pilot having his own set of instruments and specific equipment for targeting and terrain layout etc.
The panels are clear and easy to read, functional in the main, but not every switch and button will work. Although the panels do not conform to the actual F.3 panel layout, they are as accurate as one would expect given that the Tornado F.3 is a front line MRCA with the Royal Air Force, and therefore carries equipment which is probably still on the "classified" list, in the UK at least.
Sounds The Tornado F.3 is equipped with two RB-199 Mk.104 Afterburning Turbofan gas turbine engines with thrust reverse capability, designed by Rolls Royce, MTU and Avio jointly, and what superbly efficient units they are.
The noise produced from these two power houses is enough to make even the healthiest person go deaf without proper ear defenders, as anybody seeing the Tornado display in an Air Show will testify. AlphaSim's reproduction is no exception, as from selecting these engines to “turn and burn” to putting them through the “gates” to reheat is perfectly simulated; with the right amount of whine and crackle at every thrust setting, exhaust smoke blooming at the start of the take off run and in the air a gentle trail will flow back behind the aircraft. The icing on the cake is the reheat effect, brilliantly reproduced in every aspect, from a nice blue flame through to a fiery plume at full throttle which torches back behind the aircraft, burning the air to a crisp and lighting up the back end very well. Flying the aircraft at night is as accurate as it gets, viewed from the back end as the aircraft claws its way into the air on full reheat is just awesome. Well
done to the sound team for achieving the ultimate in simulation,
and making us all
deaf in the process. The innovative use of “Airshow FX”, a
new way of enhancing the Doppler sounds as experienced during
a high speed low level pass at afterburner settings, adds to the whole
sound
package
and is
clearly the way forward in realizing realism at its most accurate.
The Tornado F.3 presented by AlphaSim is a neat and tidy package, not expensive for the quality and finish, although the expansion pack isn’t really necessary, considering the main download contains five aircraft. However, the extra four are very nice. It does fly very nicely, and the addition of AlphaSim's radar and the “Airshow FX” sound system is a nice touch. The variable geometry wing articulates very neatly, does definitely affect performance and at certain airspeeds, if not used properly, will indicate its displeasure on the airframe and lift capability markedly. Landing the Tornado does require practice. It is a big aircraft and is equipped with very powerful engines, so slowing down has to be thought out in advance and a combination of stick and throttle and air brakes will work well after a while. The thrust reverser system is also very powerful and braking after landing using the engine reverser system makes things easier all round. Some would argue that it is cheaper to change the disc pads in the brake units than to wear out an engine, but used sensibly, a combination of both systems works well and let’s face it; a Tornado doesn’t come cheap. I like this aircraft very much, and AlphaSim have produced a very desirable model of the real thing at a fraction of the cost. If you want a Multi-Role Combat Aircraft with a “swing-wing”, then this is the model for you. Its flying range is good, it is very maneuverable and aerobatics are easily demonstrated, as long as you appreciate the power and keep an eye on altitude and pitch and roll angle at all times, and remember the variable wing angle in respect of what you want to achieve. The engines are very responsive, and the reheat effects are superb, and that about sums up this engineering feat of excellence. |
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