In both the UK
and US, there are places where tactical jets get to practice low level flying.
These are genearally in areas of very low population density where the noise
isn't a bother to those who inhabit the area. Probably of little surprise is
that these places are a mecca for airplane photographers who often spend
considerable time waiting for a quick fly-by. Thanks to modern digital photo
equipment with automatic everything, no longer do photographers have to burn
through a roll of film hoping to get one or two properly lit and focused images.
The author of this book covers those areas in the UK and
in this book concentrates on images of the Panavia Tornado, an aircraft that is
now out of military service. The book opens with a look at the hobby of low
level photography, the places in the UK that are the best for these sorts of
images as well as a brief history of the Tornado and the units that flew it. The
author categorizes all the images within by serial, variant, and squadron. To be
sure, this is a super photo book for those who like the Tornado. I found it
interesting that the initial images were not always the crispest and so most of
those are fairly small in size. Apparently the author got better equipment as
about a quarter of the way through, the image quality improved and the images
started to fill the page instead of having several smaller ones per page. I also
noticed that the majority of images are of the last variant that was operational
in the last decade or so of the aircraft's service life, which makes for a lot
of grey jets. Both the ground attack and the air defense versions are covered.
In all, it is a very well done photo compilation that
includes a goodly number of special paint schemes along with some German and
Italian planes with the TTTE, the training establishment which was based in the
UK. An edition of eye candy for those who like fast jets.
For those who prefer, this book is also available in
digital format.
May 2025
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