Static Display Photo Gallery

Panavia Tornado GR4 ZA614 "Gp Capt Don Finlay"

(in colours commemorating Group Captain Don Finlay DFC AFC, 41 Squadron's Commanding Officer from 1940 to 1941)

Royal Air Force (41 Squadron, RAF Coningsby)

Group Captain Donald O. Finlay DFC AFC was the Commanding Officer of 41 Squadron, from September 1940 - August 1941.

Gp Capt Finlay was an Olympic hurdler. He joined the RAF in 1935, and managed to combine his RAF career with his athletics. For 2012, the year of the London Olympics, this aircraft commemorates his sporting achievements.

Gp Capt Finlay won a bronze medal for Britain in the 110m hurdles at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1932. He also won a silver medal in the same event at the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936.

He also competed at the 1948 London Olympic Games. Although he did not win any medals this time, he was chosen to read the Olympic Oath at the beginning of the games.

The EB-Z markings on the tail of this aircraft are those of Gp Capt Finlay's Spitfire Mk.IIa (s/n P7666) in November 1940.