Yep, you read that correctly, the Airfix 48th Tornado. Why? Because I have it around 80% complete and the Revell jobby will take me an age to throw together.
Intentions are to have it in flight, low level over a blured desert backdrop with magnets for JP233, LGBs and wing tanks so they can be changed around.
But I have few questions, if I may, that I think you lovely lot can help me with rather efficiently:
1: Decals. I see the Printscale 48040 set that is very comprehensive with white stencils included and the Kitsworld KW148126 set that is half the price but without white stencils. Any thoughts on these or any others with particular thought re the shark mouth fitting the Airfix kit properly and stencil requirements?
2a: Cockpit.... Is there any aftermarket or did noone see the point for this kit?
2b: Seats with crew. The best way of going about this? Kit seats and crew with tape belts? Is aftermarket really worth it here?
3: Fuel tanks. Am I right in thinking that in the early days of the conflict they flew with the smaller tanks with the JP233 and later with the LGBs they switched to the larger F3 tanks?
4: Magnets. 1x1mm will do the job? I was thinking 2 magnets per bomb and per tank, 4 for the 233s? Any links would be great.
5: Mounting the thing. Steady now... I was thinking predrilled perspex rod up the exhausts with some fairly heavy Tig welding wire down the centre, bent down to a predrilled picture frame base. Sensible? Or are there better/easier ways bearing in mind the kit is about 80% complete?
This is for a 17th birthday, in 4 weeks time, so any help (or abuse) is welcome, as always