RAF Tornado

Published by Just Flight
Developed by Lago
Platform: PC CD-ROM
Released - Out Now
Price : £19.99
Requires FS2002 or CFS 3

It has to be said that we have been very impressed by the standard of the Just Flight expansions for Flight Simulator 2002. The quality of the aircraft models far exceeds the sterile models that come with Flight Simulator 2002. Only last week we looked at the fabulous MiG-21 and today we are looking at RAF Tornado and right from the off we can say that's it's another first class product. It's so impressive that it's even licensed by the RAF. In fact what better recommendation could you ask for?

Of course you can probably guess that I'm no aircraft expert, and I wouldn't attempt to try and fool you, so to give you a bit of background on the Tornado, I'll quote from the manual. 'The Panavia Tornado is a true multi-role aircraft and ever since January 1982 when 9 Squadron took delivery of their first aircraft, it has formed an integral part of the RAF's formidable strike force. The Tornado is unique in many ways - it is the RAF's first variable geometry (or swing-wing) aircraft and the RAF uses it in both fighter and bomber roles ... it was the product of a three way partnership between Britain, Germany and Italy.' As you can see it's one heck of an aircraft and once again this expansion pack fully does it justice.

Included Aircraft & Liveries

Tornado ECR

• Luftwaffe JaboG 32/321 4644
• Luftwaffe Tigermeet 32/321 4644

Tornado GR1

• RAF GR1A, 13 Sqn
• RAF GR1A, 2 Sqn
• RAF Gulf War
• RAF Mig-Eater

Tornado GR4

• IX (B) Sqn Operation Telic
• RAF GR4, 14 Sqn
• RAF GR4, 617 Sqn
• RAF GR4, 9 Sqn
• RAF GR4, 2 Sqn

Tornado IDS

• Aeronautica Militare Italiana, 36 24 Tigermeet
• Aeronautica Militare Italiana, 6st Stormo 154
• Marinefliegers, MFG-2
• Marinefliegers, standard
• Royal Saudi Air Force standard

Included Airbase scenery

• RAF Lossiemouth
• RAF Marham
• Norvenich AFB

Installation
The installation is exactly the same as with other Just Flight expansions and couldn't be simpler. From the autorun menu you have a choice of selecting whether to install the expansion pack into either Flight Simulator 2002 or Combat Flight Simulator 3. The usual, unsubtitled, Just Flight promotional clip runs before installation takes place but you can press the Esc key to quit this and get on with the installation.

Documentation
The expansion has a manual in html format and an online tutorial. The manual covers all the information you could possibly require. It explains all the features of the Tornado and shows, in some detail, what's what on the panels. The manual even includes a brief flying guide to help you adjust to this fantastic aircraft.

I have to be honest here and say that this is one of my favourite expansion packs from Just Flight. The Tornado is a joy to fly and has instantly become my favourite aircraft out of the many I have installed for Flight Simulator 2002. The quality of the aircraft models is outstanding and is as good as anything that I've seen. The only disappointment for deaf gamers/virtual pilots is that the ground proximity warning system is not shown visually. Verbal messages such as Bingo-Bingo, Pullup-Pullup and Altitude-Altitude are not shown but this is a very small disappointment in what is another exceptional expansion.

Overall Game Rating: 9.0/10
Yet again top drawer stuff from Just Flight. RAF Tornado will impress even the most exacting connoisseur.

Deaf Gamers comment:
The ground proximity warning system messages are not shown visually but otherwise there are no problems.