Bomb part falls from RAF Tornado

The RAF has issued a warning to members of the public after one of its Tornado jets lost part of a concrete bomb over the Moray coast.
The Tornado was returning from a routine training exercise when the 10-inch long metal tailfin became detached and fell off.

The incident happened south-east of Burghead on Wednesday afternoon.

The RAF said anyone finding the part should report the discovery to the Lossiemouth base or to Grampian Police.

Use of the concrete bombs has been suspended while the incident is investigated.

'Good fortune'

RAF spokesman Michael Mulford told BBC Scotland: "It contains a smoke cartridge which they use when they drop the bombs on the ranges.

"We would say not to touch it - make a note of where it is and tell us."

Meanwhile, a report has revealed that only "good fortune" prevented a collision involving a Tornado and a glider.

The glider - which had taken off from Aboyne in Aberdeenshire - and the Tornado passed within 50ft of each other.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) airprox report described the incident which happened last October as "most serious".


The CAA said the Tornado and glider were close to collision

It has recommended that gliders should have an electronic beacon which can be picked up by planes and air traffic control.

The report revealed that the pilot of the gilder could smell the aviation fuel fumes from the Tornado which passed above him.

He also felt a "terrific thump" from the slipstream.

The report said: "This had been a very close encounter.

"In short neither crew could do anything to prevent the occurrence and it was only by good fortune that the aircraft did not collide."

The cause was given as "non-sighting by the Tornado crew of the glider which was unable to take effective avoiding action".

The report said it was encouraging the production of a lightweight transponder for gliders

ha ha, how typical for the RAF

oi thats nuff of that lmao