The Tornado F3 has been at the forefront of RAF air defence strategy since the 1980s. © RAF Leuchers.

A Gulf War veteran is to become the latest addition to the display at the National Museums of Scotland’s Museum of Flight in East Lothian on September 27 2005.

ZE934, a Tornado F3 aircraft, was given to the museum by the Ministry of Defence having spent the last two years flying out of RAF Leuchars in the north east corner of Fife.

"I am delighted to be able to present this Tornado F3 to the National Museums of Scotland," said Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup. "It is particularly appropriate that an airframe which spent so much of its service life in Scotland at RAF Leuchars should have a place in this marvellous endeavour."

Flight Lieutenant Tim Pye gets a chance to bid farewell as ZE934 is installed at the Museum of Flight. © Steve Lindridge iDEAL iMAGES.

As Sir Jock Stirrup explained, it makes an interesting addition to the national aircraft collection as a key link in the story of the development of military aircraft.

"It will play a great part in helping to tell current and future generations about the aviation heritage of which the museum and the Royal Air Force is so proud,” he said.

A two-seat supersonic fighter, the Tornado F3 entered service with the RAF in 1986, replacing ageing Lightning and Phantom fighters in the air defence role. Fitted with more powerful engines than the bomber version of the Tornado, the F3 could fly at speeds of up to 2,333 kilometres per hour (1,480mph) at an altitude of 12,492 metres (40,000 feet).

The Tornado F3 has a wingspan of 13.90 metres (45 feet 7 inches). © RAF Leuchers.

Until it was decommissioned model ZE934 flew out of RAF Leuchars with 43 Squadron and 111 Squadron. Previously it was with 56 Squadron at Coningsby until moving to Leuchars in March 2003.

Its first flight was made on May 15 1989 and it was delivered to the RAF just 11 days later. The following year it saw active service as part of the first deployment to the first Gulf War in December 1990. Flying out of Leuchars, ZE934 headed for Dharan in Saudi Arabia to take part in Operation Granby in 1991.

"We are extremely grateful to the Ministry of Defence for this generous donation," said Sir Neil McIntosh, NMS trustee. "The Tornado F3 is an important addition to the national collections, helping bring to life the history of military aviation."

ZE934 will now join the Museum of Flight's historic collection. © Steve Lindridge iDEAL iMAGES.

The arrival of the Tornado is yet another triumph in what has been a big year for the Museum of Flight.

In March The Concorde Experience, offering visitors not only a chance to see the famous ‘flying toothpick’ but also to board it and taste the kind of luxury it once offered passengers, opened. So far 116,000 people have made the trip.

Concorde’s arrival has been the catalyst for an ambitious redevelopment, which has so far seen a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft purchased, additional conservation and curatorial staff appointed and a new education centre created.

"The presentation of a Royal Air Force Tornado to the Museum of Flight, shortly after the arrival of Concorde, is confirmation that the Museum is not just a centre of educational excellence but is one of the foremost aviation museums in Europe," added Museum of Flight supporter Lord James Douglas Hamilton MSP who played a key role in securing the aircraft for NMS.

"The presence of the Tornado will enormously enhance understanding of advances in aviation, inspire young people to join the Royal Air Force, and help to increase tourism to East Lothian and Edinburgh."