After about 2 years of modelling I've decided now is the time to start posting. I was going to build a Tornado GR4 anyway but then I notice this group build, the perfect oppotunity to start.

My Tornado will be based around the Italeri 1/48 IDS model using additional parts from the Airfix kit, the Neomega cockpit and the Paragon slats and flaps.

I haven't decided upon the final scheme yet but I have Model Alliance sheet MA-128 (Anniversary Tonkas)on the way.

The 2 kits I'm using:


My first attempt with resin:


The Neomega cockpit (very nice) with a basic layer of paint:


Under wing stores: I decided to start early on these because I normally complete the basic aircraft and then can't be bothered to finish it with the stores:




The cockpit weathering process in full flow. I've used gouache water based artist paint for the wash:


The cockpit completed (note the ejection seat obviously haven't been finished):




I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Justin

Cockpit looks fantastic, what colour did you use for the base? I'm thinking the lighting for the photo has given it a green-ish tint.

Certainly off to a cracking start, I've been building kits on and off for nearly 30 years and mine aint anywhere as good as this!

Keep it comin.

Rgds,

Eng

Looks awesome so far Justin, keep those updates coming.

Looks awesome there! Well Done - Look forward to seeing this one progress

Very nice work,just one niggly thing is the Navs CRT displays dont look right to me,they should sit flat,not angled down....

Nice work so far on the cockpit. So the Airfix GR4 now includes Storm Shadow (prevously only available in the Revell Typhoon or possibly soon from Flightpath) & RAPTOR; more useful parts in an otherwise uninspring box!

That's a good start, those Neomega cockpits really lift kits to a dfferent level. Keep the updates coming Justin.

Tony

Very nice work thus far. That cockpit really does make one big difference.

Keep up the good work.

Eng,

I used Tamiya XF 20 Medium Grey. Not sure if it is the right colour but it's all I had.

I might get an update out later but if not it won't be until next weekend as I'm away with work.

Justin




I think you're right, I hadn't noticed. Don't think my skills are up to changing it even if I had noticed.

You could 'hide' the CRT screens with strips of green painted thin card cut to shape & glued in place as the are 'glare screens' fitted on Telic to them.
(Photo's in the GR4 reference sticky)
Use the Airfix shoulder pylons if you're doing an RAF jet,the are fairings over the sway braces that are not on other nations (except S.Arabia & us)
See the photo's in the "weapon's reference" sticky,
Oh,the cockpit floor in the GR4 is black non slip,I used very fine glass paper cut to shape & glued in place (no painting needed!) for this.
Looking very good so far.
Merv.

Time for the next instalment...

I've been busy at work recently so I haven't progressed as mucha as I'd hoped.

I've also received my decal set and have decided I will probably make Shiny Two. My
only issue being that I want to load it out with hindenberg tanks and the raptor pod, but
I've only seen pics of it with the smaller tanks and I don't know if 2 Sqn have a recce
role. Anybody know the answer, your thoughts are appreciated.













The intakes aren't great so I'm copying Mish's technique to create the soft engine blanks.
I've used good old bounty kitchen paper because it's nice and strong even when wet!!!

All Tornado's are Raptor capable now & the is'nt a dedicated Recon sqn anymore.sqn's can now have a mix of GR4 & GR4A's.
Merv

Looking brilliant and your flightdeck looks AWESOME..


Keep those progress pics coming..


Houston....

Cheers guys, Merv you're a very knowledgeable/ useful chap to know! Decision made, Shiney Two it is.

Coming on very nicely there! Doing engine blanks for my tonka as well, need to carry on with it soon!

Keep the pics coming !

After a busy weekend I still seem to have made little progress. I am however on the verge of painting now. Just waiting for the correction fin and exhausts to arrive (hopefully Tuesday).

Here are the latest pics.

I'm gutted because I spent ages sanding the tops of the intakes down to a smooth finish only to then read that they are supposed to have a gap at the top. Oh well I'm committed to having them sealed now. I'll remember for my next tornado!






From the airfix kit, seams still to be cleaned up:


Just in case anyone was interested in what the Paragon Slats and Flaps instructions look like:

Jussie,
I have spare intakes from an old kit if you want them.
Merv

Merv,

thanks for the offer but I think I'll just accept the hit and learn for my next Tornado.

Justin

Hmm, interesting. My Paragon flaps n' slats instruction sdon't look like that - an older version perhaps?

Build looks great so far jussie.

James

Not sure James, I only bought them from modelsforsale (I highly recommend using Vince if you don't already, a fine service) just before christmas.

As for my build it has stalled at the painting stage. I thought Tamyia XF24 and 53 would be good matches for the colour. Turns out I was wrong, gutted. I'm currently waiting for my order of Xtracylic to arrive, that'll sort it. In the mean time I'm progressing with my Jaguar.

Nice progress Justin, coming along nicely.




Are you doing 1/32 or 1/48? Instructions are diferent for both scales.

I have a old set of 1/72 Paragon? Tornado wings which I bought over 15 years ago from the model shop in Shirley I'm going to recycle on my next build,just need some minor repair work on the dropped flaps.
Merv

They are the 1/48 instructions. Cheers for the comments Neil. Your resin goes together really well, I'm a big fan.

Finally managed to get some serious work done on this bad boy.

Since my last update I've managed to get hold of Paragon resin for the fin, wheels and exhaust, see below. I fitted all of that and started painting. I thought my Tamyia greys (XF 53 and 24) would do the job. To start with the base layer grey (XF 53 I think) looked spot on but then something changed (don't know what) and the true colour started to appear from the end of my airbrush. I think this was all to do with left over black paint in the airbrush. Anyway I made several attempts to replicate what I was orginally doing but it wasn't working. I had to buy the xtracrylic 004 and 036.

This stuff was just perfect which made me very happy as I could now get to where I am today in short order. What do you think? Better photos to follow.

M8 youve nailed that The pre shading has worked a treat, and as for those decals, well they are awsome! Just a shame we cant get them for 1/32, now that would be something!

and before anyone says, Im rubbish at creating my own decals!

Keep up the good work .

Blimey that was quick!

I have made decals before, but something like that is way beyond me. I suppose we can only wish, eh? I console myself that there are about 9 million decal options for the Tamiya F-16C, wouldn't want anyone to think i was complaining or anything

Yip agree with you guys, I don't know why the 32nd Tonka has been ignored. Shame on you UK decal manufacturers

Great build there Justin, lovely looking Tonka

Graham.

Very nice work,top drawer!
Merv

Fantastic looking bird, very inspiring!

Superb build! So nice to see Shiny Two in model form, I designed this scheme whilst stationed at Marham along with the Canberra PR9 'end of an era' scheme on XH134. Well done fella.

first post , but obviously not your first model !! it is great !!

its looking amazing mate!
great attention to datail!

Finished!

She's been 98% completed for the last 2 weeks but I haven't been able to find the time to finish the last 2% until now. I know I need to work on my photography skills so any advice is welcomed, always learning.

Anyway here she is, 'Shiney Two':

there are great photography tips on these very forums to help improve your model photography , take a browse in the photography section , superb model !!!

Nice Jussie,
Can you place photo's HERE
Merv

WOW..WOW ..Jussie, this is really a BEAUTIFLLY STUNNING Tornado...

I am impressed by the colors and your workmanship...


Houston..

That is one really nicely executed build with lovely markings only wish they did em in 32nd.

One observation though if I may, a bit of a spotterish thing actually, nothing at all to do with your execution, Shiny Two was / is ZD 748 which is a "standard" GR4 not a GR4a which means there are no SLIR windows on its flanks.

(I think he knows - I wanted to do the same)

Brilliant build - Gourgous Bird !

Loved the build. Plus, it's a really attractive 'piggy bank'

Great build and finish but are the slats upside down?

cheers Bob


Sorry I meant are the flaps on upside down?

cheers Bob

Great build , very nice Tonka

Andy