lap it up at Leuchars - 43 & 111 Sqns - Tornado F3
Leuchars is the northernmost permanent F3 interceptor base. It is also a popular stopover point for RAF and other NATO aircraft. It is a well utilised deployment base during exercises, and is frequently used as a base for programmes such as the Tactical Leadership Programme. Leuchars is now one of the few remaining operational wartime stations that retain their Battle Of Britain At Home Day.

 
If the unthinkable had ever happened, the Leuchars F3s would have had their work cut out fighting against this type of fighter, subsequently demonstrated as being supremely manoeuvrable. This Sukhoi Su 27 is part of the Russian Knights display team which displayed at Leuchars.

The RAF pilot being strapped into the rear seat flew in the display routine.
The BOB At Home Day at Leuchars is usually a well attended display, not just from the RAF, but nearly
all northern NATO forces usually attend. US types are frequently also in attendance, and one year this
produced the largest gathering of F-16s outside of the IAT. 

This preserved Lightning F3 XR 713/C is kept at Leuchars, in conjunction with a brace of Phantoms and a Vampire.
Sometimes USN / USMC types such as this A6 Intruder and F14 Tomcat deploy for the show from a passing carrier, en route to its Atlantic or Mediterranean station. Sadly, with the force cutbacks, operational deplyments and exercises the 1999 show was cancelled, not as much of the result of Leuchars' inability to manage it, as with the unavailability of RAF and other aircraft to attend because of their commitments. 
F-14B and A6
With the general downsizing of the RAFs overall strengths, fewer and fewer bases can physically manage to mount a display day, and a general fear exists that within the next few years, very few of these flying days will remain, and things like base tours will cease altogether.
Back to Bases Visited Window on the Leuchars Weather Home Page

10 Feb '01