MULTINATIONAL MASTERPIECE
AUGUST 14, 1974 - A FLIGHT MAKES HISTORY
On this day, a TORNADO took to the skies for the first time as part of the flight testing of a new multi-role combat aircraft in European armaments cooperation. The aircraft, painted in white and red-orange with the registration number P.01 D-9591 was flown with the radio call sign LUNA 23 by a British-German crew for test purposes at the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 61. In the front cockpit was Paul Millett from the United Kingdom, in the rear cockpit was the German test pilot Nils Meister. The first flight ended safely and successfully in Ingolstadt/Manching after 33 minutes. As a supplier to the young German Air Force, Hanhart delivered the first service watches for flying crews to the Bundeswehr in 1955. The basic model for the special edition corresponds in its appearance, dimensions and function to the 417 ES service watch of the time.