Flying the Tornado GR1 | John Nichol (Full)
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- In this interview, we talk to former Tornado GR1 nav John Nichol, as we chat all things Tonka, the Gulf War, and John's brilliant new book, “Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm”.
“Tornado: In the Eye of the Storm” - amzn.to/3rVJdAS
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It’s guy’s like John that deserve knighthoods not millionaire sports stars and actors
Spot on!
It depends what you think knighthoods are really all about.
@Martin Hall EXACTLY.
Never happen bro, Tik Tok stars are WAY more important!
Absolutely!!! Couldn’t agree more 👍
A modern day hero, no doubt. Seen him in Stoke a while back, an incredibly entertaining evening. A genuine nice guy.
Great guy, I was launched in a Chinook the night he was shot down to go and pick him up but was recalled due to them believing it was a trap (which speaking to John many years later was correct) looking forward to reading the new book, well done John. Dave McMullon
No you wasn't
@@thirstybonsai1888 Yes I was, ask John
Still can't believe the terrain following radar was completely hands off. Imagine 420 kts, 200 foot off the floor, at night, NO night vision goggles, as the jet flies itself onto target. Amazing
I’m amazed at how many people didn’t know that.
The Tornado had that capability from day 1, it was a large part of its identity.
TFR has been around since the 60s, and was first used in the F-111.
Later, the B-1 had it as well.
By the time the Tornado got it, it had been around a long time, and gave the aircraft a great capability.
It would do over 600 knots hands-off.
The radar was connected to the autopilot. The radar basically acted as a radalt and if it saw the ground getting closer in front of the aircraft (flying towards a hill) it would send a climb signal to the autopilot.
Late to the party, the TFR could fly the plane as low as 50 feet at 600 kts, with three “ride” settings soft, medium and hard.
I'll never forget the lecture that John Nichols and John Peters gave at RAF Cranwell after the incident in Iraq in 1992 I think it was. I was in the air cadets at the time and they have a good hour lecture and told us everything that happened. It was amazing to meet them. I'll never forget that. RAF Cranwell is a stunning building as well.
I read Tornado Down about 15-20 years ago. Always had so much love and respect for what John Nichol & John Peters achieved and went through during those times. After seeing this interview, I’ve ordered the new book and really looking forward to reading it!!
Would love to somehow get my copy to John and see if he would sign it
He is very active on Twitter.
I just came across this video by sheer happenstance and found it quite engaging and highly entertaining. I served for twenty five years in the USAF in the Air National Guard as an enlisted troop in an engineering squadron. The base I was assigned to was an air refueling wing-KC 135’s-and I remember getting to fly in the jump seat between and just behind the pilots and next to the navigator. There was one navigator who loved to set up the sextant and show us how to find our positions based off of the sun. Fascinating to say the least, then the Air Force implemented its PACER CRAG program that did away with a traditional navigator and relied on GPS. Lots of navigators either cross trained or retired outright as a result.
Anyway, I live next to and use to be employed on a large fighter wing base (F-16’s, now F-35’s) and on occasion a squadron of Tornadoes would come train with their Yank counterparts. Love the Tornado, and am thankful for Our British counterparts.
Cheers from this old retired Master Sergeant.
I am a retired F-4 WSO and I am fascinated by your book John, (I just got it a few days ago). The story is always about the people. If I wanted to know the mechanical details I would read the Technical Order on the aircraft.
Top man, great orator and good fun. Feels like he's been around forever but never seems to age. All power to him.
Nice to see you here Scott! Don’t know if Mike can find an ex FW190 ‘butcherbird’ pilot to interview though lol
What is a favourite semi flex wielding deer, deer friend doing here?!
Purchased the Tornado down book a few years ago and when it arrived I found out it was signed by John Nichol. Happy surprise indeed
Nice one, Jake.
Just read Tornado by John Nicol. Thoroughly good read and heartedly recommend!! Those guys then, and subsequent aviators, are awe-inspiring!!
John Nichol is really a natural communicator !!!
It was a pure pleasure to listen to him here !!!
Would be nice to hear from John Peters side of the story on aircrew Interviews
Great shout out by John for the local bookshop. More authors should do that.
They should.
So many small businesses are being pushed-out of existence.
I could listen to John all night! Very interesting man with a superb zest for life and loves talking about his achievements! It’s about time both he and John Peters were rewarded for their service.
Lovely interview. I met John at fairford air show around ‘98. Me and my dad had a great chat to him about the incident, and I got him to sign a tornado poster, which I still have framed in perfect condition.
The CRPMD was incredible tech for its time. I used to provide spares support to the workshops that repaired the item. This thing was a physical rolling map inside an electronic box that was pre loaded prior to mission and whilst in use the instrument took all the data from the jet and then moved the map display in correlation with the aircraft position. Not bad for 1970s tech. I also served at John's "home unit" in Germany when he was captured, and was there when he was later released. I cannot describe how happy and proud we were when he returned. And how angry we were about him being used for Iraqi TV propaganda after being beaten up. I passed John in the base supermarket about a week later, whispering to my mate "is that John? The pilot who came home last week?" feelings were still too raw to say hello to him.
Thought I'd just watch this for 10mins and ended up watching the lot. Mr Nichol gives a good interview.
John is a total legend, I really enjoy his books too👌
Really good interview of a RAF Navigator and Gulf War POW. Very inspiring and I plan to order his book !!
My son bought me a book for fathers day two years ago. Very nice and I thanked him, another Spitfire book. I've read a few. So I eventually decided to read it. Then after a few pages, I thought who's written this and then I realised it's John. What a fantastic book and I've read the Lancaster and Home Run. John's books are so easy to read and full of great stories. Currently reading Roland White's Harrier and that is very good as well as his Phoniex squadron and Vulcan 607. This is next after Harrier 809. John talks so well and you had some great questions, Thanks
Amazing book!!!!!! Bought yesterday and I’m half way through! Can’t put it down. Balls of steel.
That was an absolutely fantastic interview
From start to finish, the detail he spoke was the best ever.
What a bloke! Nice one Mike👍👍
Cheers!
I have a signed copy of Tornado Down, which I bought Circa 2001 at Waddington airshow whilst in the Cadets.
I saw that two guys were giving away signed copies to a steady stream of people so my mate and I thought we'd buy a copy from these two unknown chaps in civvies. Of course as a 14 year old in the ATC I'd heard about their story but still didn't know who they were until I looked at the photograph on the front cover in flying suits and put two and two together. As a shy lad even as the penny dropped I didn't really want to engage in much conversation so I uttered my thanks and off I went. Now the copy sits proudly on the book shelf.
This man's energy is amazing!
Excellent story telling.
This is outstanding. Incredible.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Very nice chap, I spoke to him very briefly at Lakenheath and Mildenhall airshows.
We don't hear so much from John Peters, I get the impression that he didn't handle
the after effects of his experiences as well as John Nichol did.
I was at your talk at New Scotland Yard a few years back. Fascinating insight John. I remember you talking about the flat battery. I was in the Gulf but fortunately had an easier time than you guys. I asked you what allied plane you'd have chosen had you had a choice. Sounds like you are sticking to the Tornado... Fair play. You're certainly no failure. Not in a million years
John was on everything when I was younger. Top man, loved seeing him going supersonic in a lightning. Thanks for this
Despite its age, I've only just watched this interview, and I have to say what an amazing guy John Nicol is. I bought and read his book, Eject, Eject and can't recommend it enough. As John says, the focus is on the people not the technology, although he gives a great background to the Martin Baker ejection seat and it's history to provide context to his book, it's the personal accounts that make this book stand apart - I'd recommend it...I'd also love to buy John Nicol a few beers and just listen to his stories, what a fascinating and engaging raconteur he is!
What a wonderful interview.
I was surprised that John mentioned Tabuk. You don't normally hear about it in any interviews with veterans I've ever seen.
The Tornado did perform another duty during GW 1. That mission was air defence suppression using the ALARM missile system . This system was still under development and rushed into service for GW 1.
Loved Team Tornado and love both Johns' willingness to pull back the curtain on military flying long before it was really popular to do so. Great interview, great nav!
Cheers David.
Was really looking forward to this. John Nichol is such an awesome character. Great to see him still so animated and full of life 30 years on. Fantastic interview!
Such enthusiasm. Fantastic to listen to!
Noticed that he did not talk about the GR1 that was lost on landing at Tabuk when the Saudi's raised the barrier at the wrong end of the Runway. Shortly afterwards the Saudi controllers were replaced by USAF/RAF employees. Saw that poor thing nose down off the side of the runway for weeks afterwards. Desert Sheild loss.
In the run up to GW1 the amount of low level flying up the dale where I live went ballistic. I counted about twelve aircraft in five minutes one day. Today we get the occasional Osprey, Typhoon, F35 and the occasional 100 squadron Hawk from Leeming. It's all very quiet these days.
True British hero, what a man.
Books are good too.
Absolutely Brilliant Mike. John speaks so well. I was glued from the start to he finish. Brilliant!!!
Cheers Craig!
Likewise. Once I started hearing John telling his story and experience, I didn’t want to stop. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Excellent interview wirh a cracking guy. I'm impressed that he managed to go from JT to officer. I was a Mechanic then a JT and served time at RAF Finningly.
Was at Laarbruch serving 84 to 87 best days of my life great guys great books
Surprised 2 people dislike this video ??--Love that John is so animated--I remember when I was at British Aerospace at Warton in the ADV design office (albeit as a trainee), we were all taken out to the runway when Dave Eagles was to do the first T/O on the ADV--Sadly it didn't fly that day due to a major problem--we watched it roar down the runway then screech to a halt before rotation--It was taken back to the hangar,we were all sent back to the office and the atrcraft took off later with no spectators.When I left BAC, to diversify onto diving systems etc, I didn't get to keep my car park sticker(A Tornado silhouette). Bah !
I have landed on that runway many times at Warton.. (Blackpool charge too much) and I can tell you that its not that big and nowhere at the ends to crash land :D The idea of having an issue in something big and fast make me have cold sweats!
Great interview! Really enjoyed listening to John's insights....and obviously just pre-ordered the book!
Cheers!
John, thank you for your service sir...wonderful stories
I love John Nichol. I like his shows a lot. Tornado Down is a wonderful read.
He tried to blame the jet for his cock-up though.
Best interview yet. And probably one of the nicest people too.
Cheers!
The guys a legend and so humble.
What an animated man! Fun to listen to.
This channel is criminally under-subscribed :(
I found John's stories very entertaining, great listening.
Love this interview.. going to buy this book. Warm wishes from Malaysia.
My god this man can tell and write a good story! I was hanging on every word of this interview. Just recently heard John on Radio2 and had goosebumps whilst he talked about "Eject! Eject!" - the book was ordered before he finished. Half way though "Tornado" now, biting off big chunks and having very late nights. It's utterly brilliant btw.
Love this guy
Really enjoyed this as I was at Cranwell on the same officer course as him. By a strange coincidence I’m reading his “Spitfire” book at the moment.
Once you knew you were basically in, did you used to chuckle when the NCOs would start ranting and raving and muddle up their use of a word or a phrase. There was something ironic about someone trying to squeeze every last excuse they could to have a go at you. I think it would have been very different in the first month's.
What a legend John is.. so good to see and hear him every time he appears on film!! I must have made parts in his Aircraft on at least one of his sorties..
John is an interesting and entertaining man.
Great interview. John is a total legend.
Excellent interview, reading the book at the moment and it’s fascinating.
Love this, hats off to both Mike and John.
Cheers Kevin.
Great interview. And great shout out to local bookshops
Can't help loving this enthusiasm and devotion. Sincere respect.
Glad you w joyed it.
@@Aircrewinterview A privilege to listen. Thank You Sir.
As soon as I saw the title I knew this would be a great one... and I was not disappointed! thanks you so much. (I'm now going to buy Johns latest book)
Thank you
Very interesting interview.
This brings back memories of watching the early press briefings when the press officers were describing how the Brits kept losing so many more planes, and I kind of thought the Tornados must have been poor planes, but then I realized they were on the most difficult missions, and then I just thought it unfair the yanks weren't pulling their weight. Great to hear that the B52 were also doing crazy low flying too.
Mike your definitely have to try and get John on again . Sounds like he has loads of stories to tell . Does anyone remember him doing the program airshow world?
Awesome interview man! John is fantastic
Fantastic interview. Very enthusiastic in John. Yes, he's right even the B-52's went in low. As well as air-superiority F-14's, F-15C's and Tornado F-3's, the main attack force which went in med-hi on the first night were the stealth F-117's
Sorry that’s not true. The B-52s planned to attack at low level but a last minute threat assessment changed their minds as they would have suffered high attrition. Tornado F3s weren’t even allowed “sausage side” in the early days. I never witnessed either F-14s or F-15Cs low level….they’re air superiority fighters; wrong place for them. Tornado GR1s were bombing on first night at 150ft manually flown over the airfields dropping JP233.
@@flappingarms9335 The initial phase of the 1991 Gulf War was at low level for many of the players and was planned for three days. F-111s, F-15Es and even B-52s were in those initial days flown at low level to strike targets. A number of B-52Gs suffered combat damage at low level. One F-15Es was lost during a low-level mission near Basra. Again during this low level phase other Coalition aircraft suffered damage. One French Jaguar returned with its tail shredded.
After the initial part of the low level phase CENTAF ordered the switch to medium level operations. Details of the low level phase were highlighted in Operation Desert Storm - Evaluation of the Air Campaign - General Accounting Office - House of Representatives.
B-52 low level info.
Colonel Ramsay bio
From USAF Colonel Ramsay bio. In January 1991 he was the flight leader for the first night, low-level combat mission ever flown by a B-52G, leading 14 aircraft to strike five Iraqi airfields in the opening minutes of Operation Desert Storm.
'On 17 January 1991, seven B-52Gs, known as the "Doom Flight", took off from Barksdale AFB in Louisiana to help kick off the air campaign. They performed a flight that lasted 35 hours and took them almost halfway around the world to launch 35 CALCMs and then go back home. The routes of the missiles were planned so that they would impact almost simultaneously, and 33 of them hit their assigned targets. That same day, the B-52G followed up this strike with the first low-level attacks conducted by the type after decades of training. Buffs swept into Iraqi airspace at an altitude of 90 meters (300 feet) to pound four airbases and a highway.
With Iraqi air defenses disabled, the B-52Gs then returned to high-altitude bombing, with three-ship formations pounding Iraqi troops concentrations in Iraq with 340 kilogram (750 pound) bombs and cluster bombs. The B-52 performed 1,600 sorties in the Gulf War and dropped 22,725 tonnes (25,000 tons) of munitions.'
Major James Riggens, USAF also highlights the initial low-level phase in the following.
'Brilliant Attack: The Need For Autonomous Standoff Weapons in Airfield Attack Missions'
See also accounts online of low level operations - B-52 Stratofortress Units in Operation Desert Storm by Jon Lake
"John Ritter, a 42nd BW piloot who flew with the the 4300th BW(P), recalled that, "We sent representatives up to Riyadh to advise the central air planners on how best to use our aeroplance. 'We wanted to fly low, preferably at night, protected by fighters and radar jamming aircraft. In the end, the planners decided that the B-52s would 'sneak in below radar cover for the first few nights and then go high bombing when it was safer'. Heavy casualties were expected according to John Ritter.
.....
'I flew several mission after that one - each is notable in its own way. Some nights the flak was so intense I felt I could have walked on it. Other nights, I just wanted to rain bombs down on the enemy, lie the night Navy Lt Jeffrey Zaun appeared beaten on Iraqi TV. None, however, can compare to that first mission because of the way it changed us.'
Whatever the reason , Brig Gen 'Buster' Glosson soon ordered that all coalition aircraft should observe a minimum attack level of 12,000 ft.
Account by EF-111 pilot on 17th January 1991 providing the jamming for strike packages. He highlights the following '10 F-111Fs and 2 Mud-Eagles (F-15Es) were coming in on the deck against two different targets.'
See online pages of 'F-15E Strike Eagle in Combat 1991-2005 by Steve Davies'
F-15E
'On the first night of the war there were 21 F-15Es that went into Iraq. The original plan was for 18, but three more were added near the start time...... Once the refuelling was completed , we headed north and descended to low level.... We were all on the Terrain Following Radar at 200ft in radio silence - the pilots were hand-flying the TFR steering while concentrating on the FLIR picture in the HUD .....'
@@Tomteeejay yes you’re absolutely correct, the initial days of the GW1 were planned at low level for many players, I was flying GR1s on those missions. The GR1 was expected to fly operations at low level for longer than 3 nights, but the attrition was too high not to mention the assessment by ourselves after flight to the probability that we wouldn’t have much of a GR1 fleet left if kept doing it. The B-52 pulled out of our particular missions and was told by a senior officer at the time that their inclusion was changed because of risk. Initially they were planned to come in at 300’. Not to mention the fact that having just dropped JP233 accurately on an airfield taking out taxiways, HAS entrance/exits and runways that a few B-52 would undo everything we’d done.
Yes F-111 and F-15E were operating at low level but I never witnessed air superiority fighters like the F-14 and F-15C operating at low level. Most of the time we had fighter cover from F-15C and F-18.
@@flappingarms9335 Thanks for the reply. Great info!
@@flappingarms9335 Read again. I said the likes of F-15C's, F-14's and Tornado F3's remained med-high altitude. Most attack aircraft went in low on the first few hours with the exception of the likes of some like F-4G's, certain F/A-18's, A-6's and A-7E's firing HARM's and air launched decoys. The bulk of F-111's, F-15E's, Tornado IDS/GR-1's, A-6E's went in low.
wow miss the Tornado loved seen her low level respect to you all ...
At 6:13 John’s referring to the CRPMD Combined radar and projected map display. Quite a sensitive bit of kit and explains why I got told off taking one from the flight sim up to the EEW workshop, cadging a lift on a passing contractors dumper truck!
Such a legend! I can't think of anyone who writes like he does. A mixture of story telling and interviewing the actual people who were there. Can't wait to read his new book
Tremendous interview.
This is absolutely fascinating, I’m going to have to get one of his books 👌
Tornado stunning design
Iraq 1991 was arguably the most heavily AAA defended territory on earth
All pilots had to train in escape and evasion then eventual capture and “interrogation”. Don’t apologise for being shot down! You survived the real deal, getting blown out of the sky, getting captured and then nasty horribleness and coming out the other side. A proper warrior dealing with terrible combat stress. This is more about the true elements of warfare not sexy flying stuff. Remarkable
TFR was a British invention. Initially designed for the TSR2
Extraordinary man!
John is a great story teller.
What an amiable bloke
As a paramedic, I totally get that x
Oh my god... really enjoy your Chanel, but this, was something else.. thanks for this all staff. I will read the book.. keep pushing!
Thank you!
I am always surprised how many fighter pilots never had any interest in flying. Just happened to stumble into it.
Probably a lot less than guys who would have loved to be a fighter pilot but due to bad eyesight or other circumstances didn't get to do it. That's us standing around at air shows 🙂
@@dougerrohmer 🙂
He's a great bloke
Respect sir.
I will be purchasing your book.
Tornado was such a strong reliable aircraft closest we have to it now is the typhoon
Fantastic.
Outstanding interview and a fantastic book. I saw the damage done by them during a tour of Iraq . The RAF at its best
Cheers!
Absoloutely incredible
Otter burn ranges
Myself and everyone woukd witness these tornadoes training pre 1st gulf war low level over Northumberland
Great days !!
Great days...... My Grandfather's farm house was used as a nav-aid for the low level line-up by the pilot's going into the range flying nap-of-the-earth. The late 70's and early 80's were heaven for me, F104's, F4's, Jaguar, Tornado, Vulcan, etc, etc....... Great days, great days.
@@totomesch1940 great
We followed them in from coquet island as a nab point then over Alnwick moors into Cheviots then up your grandfathers farm
I remember those days vividly
Jags, bucs,f-4s then the yank f1-11’s
Sadly missed hardly anything now
Although seen a few USMC ospreys flying over lately
John - you need to do a book on the Canberra - there are still some some pilots/Nav's around
I listened to the audio book it was brilliant
Do the F4 Phantom please John, my late dad was a Phantom jockey in the Royal Navy, Aplha and Omega squadrons
I think his 'next' project was EJECT EJECT ! which in 2024 is a fantastic read, John is a very accomplished author.
great interview thanks can anyone please tell me the name of Jenny Green's book
Cracking interview…
Cheers Chris.
@@Aircrewinterview He went through Swinderby and Locking around the same time I did!
Looking for a new book John; try the Sopwith Camel!
I know both the ‘John’s’. Disparaging comments re their shoot down shows a lack of understanding of stress in combat conditions. People make mistakes even after intensive training. JN is very good at communicating some of the experiences flying a FJ in the RAF.
I'm not sure how much good NVG would do in a European war in some weathers anyway.
In northern Sweden the NVG don't work in the winter if there is a thick cloud layer.
There is just no light to augment.
With decent NVGs you can see the stars through the clouds.
John, can you explain the difference between the LOW LOFT and HIGH LOFT button in the rear cockpit of TORNADO?
Can’t beat the Tonka
Does anyone know if John got into trouble for talking - not being sinister , maybe reprisals on his career or comments from colleagues etc ? I am guessing John continued to serve after the war on the F3 reading between the lines ? That's a horrible situation to be in :( (just ordered both his books)
how on earth do you get a dislike within 30 mins of upload?
Probably an Iraqi 🤔
@@SPiderman-rh2zk 😂
An Iraqi who had his chippy bombed.
I never got to join the RAF, but I enjoyed my time in air cadets and got solo standard at they central flying school RAF syerston, and also got to do a 5 hour solo flight ridge soaring over Scotland. We had to land by a certain time for high speed jet fly by... At the time we had air commodore Kennedy visiting us for the day, and literally 5 minutes after these jets should have flown past, but didn't, he told his assistant/driver to get whichever base it was on the phone.
I didn't catch everything, but something about a bunch of cadets on a gliding course are grounded because of this flight, and could something be done and a few minutes later we were winched up as he'd sorted it. I always thought it was funny. I also couldn't help but notice the rules on what moves can and can't be done, and at what heights didn't apply to the air marshal at the flying school. He literally took one of the gliders for a circuit and did a loop on final approach. Great memories, I know it's not tornado related, but it brings me back listening to this and the era back then before the eurofighter