NickD

As the others have said, fabulous. It really brings home, though, what an untidy bit of engineering it was. Bits and bobs stuck on all over the place. The rather beautiful bodywork hid all manner of scruffiness. So different from today. Or from some of the immaculate cars of earlier years. Thanks for sharing Nick

Hi Giorgio, Perfect. Thanks for that. Digging round this morning I was beginning to come to the same conclusion. But I could not find a good source. Yours sounds perfect. It also sorts out why BAE Systems (who should after all know) quote both values. Thanks to all for your contributions. I'm happy now! Nick

Just found this site: https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ausruestung-technik-bundeswehr/luftsysteme-bundeswehr/pa-200-tornado. The german's think it is 17.23m!

Hi Pete, Thanks for getting back to me. My problem is slightly different. There seems to be consensus on the length of an ADV. IDS not so much. All my books at home give 16.7m. Wikipedia gives 16.72m and BAE Systems unhelpfully give both 16.7m and 17.2m. Unfortunately I could not find the info on the Panavia site. Measuring proportion of pictures (always a difficult process) suggested 16.7 wasn't right compared to the span so I wondered if one is with the pitot and one without. What I've struggled to find is a manufacturer supplied picture with the lengths drawn on, like you would get in a Flight Manual. All the best Nick

Hi Paws4thot, Thanks for responding so quickly. I'd seen the Wikipedia article, the 3 view being particularly convincing. Unfortunately it doesn't say where the 16.72m dimension comes from. I did wonder whether the length of the pitot probe accounted for the difference but I could do with documentary proof which I haven't been able to find. Regards Nick

Hi, This feels like a dumb question. How long is a Tornado IDS. Surely there is no ambiguity here. Its not like a 1927 FIAT racer but... BAE Systems produced leaflets (link here: http://www.tornado-data.com/history/pressreleases/bae.htm) which cite the length as 16.70m or 17.20m. Not very helpful really. Everywhere else quotes either one or the other. Panavia don't provide a definitive view on their website. So does the assembled might of the Britmodeller hive mind have a view. Has this been asked and solved before? Does anyone have a credible reference source that is more definitive than BAE Systems managed! Regards Nick

Fun is essential - particularly at the moment. You seem to be having plenty without me though! 😀 (Sorry about the Renault though. That wasn't fun) Nick

Ron, Have loved the build so far. Superb. On the topic of diorama, not sure if you've come across photos of Ferrari mechanics in the day, using the chassis as an impromtu picnic table. Example at this link https://www.snapgalleries.com/product/richard-kelley-ferrari-mangiare/ Clearly we've lost some of the joi de vivre with today's corporate seriousness. Regards Nick

Looking good

Dear Manu, Really looks the business. Lovely to see. Bordino looks fab. Your interpretation of the seat stresses just how uncomfortable it must have been. Not sure I would have wanted to drive it if given the chance! My only observation, which is not in any way a criticism, is how it looks from the side. The body boat tail adds more length than I'd realised. Without it the car looks quite a bit shorter. I've spent a lot of time looking at this car, but even now see new things. Thanks again for sharing. Nick

Looking superb - as always Happy new year all Nick

TheBaron, Yours is one of the threads that's really showing what can be done in Fusion. As the others have said it is tremendous. And you look like it is fun too! ATB Nick

Nick, You've really opened my eyes about what can be achieved with the requisite skill. Now just need the skill Thanks for sharing Nick

Hi Dan, Just wanted to add my voice to all the others. Awesome to see Thanks for sharing Nick

Sorry to be so slow to respond but as the others have said, it's looking fab.

Glad to brighten a cold dull day. Nick

Hi Pascal It's worse than that... He's building a full car that no-one has ever seen from... nothing with no information apart from 7 photos, and a blueprint of the wrong version of the car using an old dremel, a file and a spoon!!!! Hi Harvey, Still enjoying seeing progress. Even for you the nipples are a new level of detail. Looking fantastic. ATB Nick

And then I read this. Outrageous. Bravo. Definitely going to take up knitting. Nick

I have long enjoyed your threads though never achieve your level largely through impatience and rushing. Your recent post gives me hope. Though if even you can struggle like this maybe the rest of us should just give up! Hope you're keeping safe Nick

Hi Codger, Glad to see you seem to be having fun with this. RvdM has said more than once that is the only reason for doing any of this. For me I just enjoy learning that it's OK to rebuild an upright with a nut, a threaded rod, some toothpick, a flat handle and a good dremel. Oh and I love the colour. Regards Nick

The detail is amazing. I'd not come across this company before. They clearly know their stuff. As do you my friend. Regards Nick

So neat as always.

Harvey, Firstly I hope you are,a remain OK in these extraordinary times. I realised something today. The excellence both of your workmanship and photography mean I usually look in wonder at details that have previously only been hazy details on grainy photographs. In doing so it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Today, just before reading Roy's post, I happened to step back and look once again at the whole car. Like Roy, it gave me a shiver. To see such a familiar shape from a novel angle was a joy. Thanks again. To you and all the others here, I hope everyone remains safe. Regards Nick

Hi Sean, Did you translate the article (Google translate is fantastic these days)? It sounds like an eventful trip. Nick

Hi Sean, Glad it was of interest. My dad always felt flying in a Mozzie was much better proposition than Beaufighters or bombers, and as a result, I think, felt a bit of a fraud. Growing up I frequently found myself reflecting on what it must have been like, as a 21 year old, to climb on board and set off in to the blue of a German sky on very long sorties, Many crews were lost, not as many as on other squadrons, but still high enough to surely have an impact on those that were left. Those of us that have not had to serve always felt, I think, that he undersold his contribution. Some of his modest stories were quite hair-raising - both engines stopped on Christmas Day 44 as they flew over a German city; he took photos over Berlin at 2000' silhouetted against unbroken cloud. I, probably like many here, feel that each build is a tribute to those who risk their lives to serve their countries, regardless of the reasons why they served or the difficulties they encountered. Watching this thread I can't help but think of my dad sitting in that seat, using that equipment, or depending on those engines. It's more than just lumps of plastic. Sorry to get heavy Regards, Nick