Aviation prints by aviation
artist Michael Rondot. Aviation print entitled 'Operation TELIC' by Michael
Rondot, depicting RAF Tornado GR4s over Baghdad during the Gulf Crisis in
2003.
Operation TELIC by Michael Rondot. During February 2003, Tornado GR4s from the Royal Air Force Marham and
Lossiemouth Wings deployed to the Gulf region as part of Operation TELIC
(the UK code name for Operation Iraqi Freedom). As the deadline for
war in Iraq approached, the detachments at Ali al Salem AB, Kuwait, and Al
Udeid AB, Qatar, prepared for action 12 years after the end of the first
Gulf War in 1991. This time, however, the RAF was much better
prepared, with new weapons systems and tactics developed after long years
of operational combat experience on Operation Southern Watch over Iraq and
in the skies over the Balkans. Operation TELIC was a high-tech air
war for the Tornado GR4 using long-range reconnaissance systems and medium
altitude attacks. It was almost exclusively a precision-guided
weapons conflict in which the Tornado GR4 Force, its aircrews, groundcrews
and support teams performed with distinction. This striking new painting by artist Michael Rondot depicts a pair of
Tornado GR4s on station over the Baghdad killbox. The aircraft are
powerfully set against the ominous background of central Baghdad sprawling
beneath the dark smoke of oil fires deliberately lit in an effort to mask
the city from airborne targeting pods. Many RAF aircraft received
colourful nose art during the conflict and these Tornados were no
exception; ZA542 'DM' and ZA560 'BC' became "Danger Mouse" and
"Brave Coq", and both carried tributes to favourite Scottish
Whiskies alongside their mission markings. With their paint finish
battered and weather beaten by the scars of battle, the aircraft are
portrayed in a typical Interdiction / Close Air Support fit, armed with
Paveway II GPS / laser guided bombs, TIALD pod and RBL-755 cluster bombs
to represent all Tornado GR4 Op TELIC operations.
ALL EDITIONS SIGNED BY:
Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian
Burridge KCB CBE ADC
Air Marshal Glenn Torpy CBE DSO
Group Captain Paddy Teakle DSO
OBE
Group Captain Mark Roberts MBE
Artist proof edition also
signed by Operation TELIC aircrews
