In the 1990s, as many RAF squadrons marked their 75th anniversaries, special commemorative paint schemes became a tradition—none more striking than No. 16 Squadron’s Tornado GR.1 ZA591. Celebrating its anniversary in 1990, the aircraft received a dramatic all-black finish and quickly earned nicknames like “The Black Pig” and the “Stealth GR.1” in homage to the F-117 used during the Gulf War.
Representing No. 16 Squadron—originally formed at Saint-Omer, France, in 1915—the aircraft proudly bore the squadron’s golden "Saint" logo on its tail, inspired by the iconic spy character famously portrayed by Roger Moore. Though No. 16 Squadron only flew the Tornado from 1984 to 1991, including during the Gulf War, ZA591 stood out as one of the most visually memorable jets in RAF history. The squadron disbanded in 1991, with its number later adopted by No. 226 OCU, flying Jaguars until 2005.
