Take a look at the RAF Tornado given a permanent North Wales home

The aircraft is here to stay days after a final flypast of the iconic jets

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By

Owen EvansContent Editor

19:13, 20 FEB 2019

Tornado jet is stripped and prepared for installation at the front of DECA Sealand (Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)

An RAF Tornado is being given a permanent home in North Wales.

One of the iconic jets - which is heading out of service after 40 years - has arrived at the MOD site in Sealand as a "Gate Guardian".

The jet, donated by the RAF, arrived at the site broken up into parts before workers began reassembling it at the front gate.

The site, which is now home to the Defence Electronics and Components Agency, has been involved in the repair and maintenance of the jets for many years.

The trio of fighters involved in the final farewell tour flew over the Flintshire base as hundreds watched this week.

What RAF Tornado pilots say about flying the jets home for the last time

They then flew over RAF Valley, a training site for Tornado pilots, as part of their last tour.

DECA Sealand, which has been chosen as the global repair hub for the F-35 Lightning II - a replacement for the Tornado - will now have a long-lasting reminder of the iconic fighter jet.

Here are some of the images taken by North Wales Live chief photographer Ian Cooper as the jet arrived today.

Setting up
Tornado jet is prepared for installation at the front of DECA Sealand
(Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)1 of 25
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Work is on
Tornado jet is prepared for installation at the front of DECA Sealand
(Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)2 of 25
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The tail
Tornado jet is prepared for installation at the front of DECA Sealand
(Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)3 of 25
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Working away
Tornado jet is prepared for installation at the front of DECA Sealand
(Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)4 of 25
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Many hands
Tornado jet is prepared for installation at the front of DECA Sealand
(Image: Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)5 of 25
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