THEY died doing what they loved … "flying a fast jet on a beautiful summer's day".
Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson and Flt Lt Nigel Morton were named yesterday as the crew of the RAF Tornado fighter that crashed at high speed into a hill.
While air investigators continued to search the crash site at Glen Kinglas in Argyll for
clues to the cause of the accident, RAF colleagues paid tribute to the men, who were described as true professionals.
Piloting the £20 million jet was Flt Lt Thompson, 27, from Glasgow, while the weapons systems officer was Flt Lt Morton, 43, a veteran of operations in Bosnia and Iraq.
Both were killed on Tuesday morning when their RAF Tornado F3, which was on a routine training exercise with another F3, crashed into a hill at Glen Kinglas, near Arrochar. No mayday signal was sent from the fighter, which had set off from RAF Leuchars.
The family of Flt Lt Thompson said: "Kenneth is from a military family background. He was passionate about his career in the RAF, his flying and he loved life.
"We, the family, have lost our son and brother but take some comfort from the fact that he died doing what he loved – flying. Our thoughts are also with the family of his navigator, friend and colleague at this most difficult time for us all."
The family of Flt Lt Morton described him as "Beloved father and husband, son, brother and son-in-law, respected by all who worked with him", adding: "Our thoughts are with Kenny's family at this terrible time."
Flt Lt Thompson, a university graduate with close ties to RAF Leuchars, was a passionate flier who had his own plane and regularly took friends on trips to the island of Tiree.
His commanding officer, Wing Commander David Hazell of 43 (Fighter) Squadron, said: "Kenny was a young pilot with an extremely bright future ahead of him. He was enthusiastic about everything in life; in particular he had an enormous thirst for flying."
Squadron Leader Wayne Smith, his flight commander, said: "Flying was what defined Kenny and when he wasn't in a Tornado F3, he would be flying his own aircraft around Scotland. Trips to Tiree with Kenny in his plane were the talk of the summer at Leuchars.
"It is with some consolation that his squadron friends know that he died doing what he enjoyed the most; flying a fast jet on a beautiful summer's day in the West of Scotland."
Flt Lt Morton, a veteran aviator who was married with a son, had notched up more than 3,000 hours in the Tornado F3 and was in charge of the flying programme.
Squadron Leader Smith said: "He was a superb instructor, supervisor and font of technical knowledge.
"Nige was so approachable, which made him such a great man on the Tornado F3 Force. I will miss Nige tremendously, not just in squadron daily life, but also in his other love on the golf course. Our thoughts are with his wife and son at this terribly sad time."
Yesterday, a specialist team of crash scene investigators from the RAF were searching the hills for debris from the plane in order to determine the cause of the accident.
In the 23 years since the Tornado F3 was introduced into service, 13 have crashed in the UK, including four in Scotland. In 1994, an F3 crashed at Glen Ogle, killing both crewmen.
A spokesman for RAF Leuchars said: "As yet we have no clear idea of what caused the crash. There was no mayday call, but the scene will be thoroughly investigated."
Air Commodore R J Atkinson, Air Officer Scotland and Officer Commanding RAF Leuchars, paid tribute to both men. He said: "Flt Lt Nige Morton was a wonderful energetic and professional member of our team.
"Constantly enthusiastic and steeped in experience, he has been a highly valued member of his squadron and RAF Leuchars.
"Well known by everyone, Nige will be sorely missed; my thoughts are with his wife and son at this desperate time.
"Flt Lt Kenny Thompson was a bright and effervescent young man with a zest for life.
"I shall remember him for his constant smile and inspirational attitude that brought much happiness to all; he will be dearly missed by all who have known him. My thoughts are with his family."
Tribute to a 'passionate' young pilot FLIGHT Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson, 27, was from Glasgow. A university graduate, he was described as a "passionate" pilot who had his own plane and regularly took friends on trips to Tiree.
His commanding officer, Wing Commander David Hazell of 43 (Fighter) Squadron, said: "Kenny was a young pilot with an extremely bright future. He was enthusiastic about everything in life; in particular he had an enormous thirst for flying."
'Experienced and approachable' aviator
FLIGHT Lieutenant Nigel Morton, 43, from Fife, was a veteran of operations in Bosnia and Iraq. He was married with a son.
An experienced aviator, he had notched up more than 3,000 hours in the F3 and was in charge of the flying programme.
Yesterday Squadron Leader Wayne Smith said: "He was a superb instructor and supervisor. Nige was also approachable, which made him such a great man on the Tornado F3 Force."
The full article contains 894 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
