Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Panavia Tornado F.3 – ZG797/D ‘Desperation’, RAF No. 29 Squadron, 1435 Flight, RAF Mount Pleasant, Defense of the Falkland Islands

1:72 Scale.  Length: 9.25”.  Wingspan: 7.75"


Limited Edition of 885 Models Worldwide

The long association between the Falkland Islands and 1435 Flight began on November 1, 1988 when No. 23 Squadron began to re-equip with the new Tornado F.3. With the Falklands based detachment now reduced to just four Phantom FGR.2s, the flight drew on its heritage during the World War II siege of Malta and the defiant defense mounted by a small number of Gloster Sea Gladiators which were given the names ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’. The fourth Phantom, which acted as a reserve aircraft, was given the name ‘Desperation’.

With the Phantom FGR.2s eventually giving way to the Panavia Tornado in July 1992, the flight continued this proud tradition, with the Maltese cross and the Falklands Islands crest displayed prominently on many of the aircraft. Over the next seventeen years, around twenty-nine different Tornado F.3 airframes made the long journey to serve in the South Atlantic, some on more than one occasion. They defended the Falkland Islands with distinction and the Tornado F.3s of 1435 Flight RAF Mt Pleasant remain as some of the most interesting post war British aircraft. #ZG797 Desperation was one of the last Tornado F.3s to serve with 1435 Flight and was present when the unit handed over to the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4.

The Panavia Tornado was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy in three primary versions: the Tornado IDS (Interdictor /Strike) fighter-bomber, the ECR (Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance) and the ADV (Air Defense Variant) Interceptor. The Tornado is one of the world’s most sophisticated and capable interdiction and attack aircraft with a large payload, long range and high survivability.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Tornado F.3 features: