Panavia Tornado F3 ZE907 65 Sqn RAF Coningsby 1990 Display Aircraft in 1/72 scale die cast and mfgered by Aviation72. Entering service in July 1986, 152 Tornado F3s were ordered. The Tornado F3 made its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War with 18 aircraft deployed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft deployed to the region were later upgraded in a crash program with improved radar and engines, better defensive counter measures and several adaptions to the weapons systems to improve combat performance in the Iraqi theater; however, they still lacked modern IFF and secure communications equipment. They therefore flew patrols further back from Iraqi airspace where encounters with enemy aircraft were less likely, and did not get the opportunity to engage any enemy aircraft. From August 1990 to March 1991, the RAF’s F3 detachment flew more than 2000 combat air patrol sorties.