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OK, it doesn't matter how much I try I can't make the title say F33; hopefully this doesn't set the tone for this thread from the get go!!!! Anyways my Lightning T4 build in this GB has stalled, due to the simple reason that the CMK resin cockpit that I was using in conjunction with the Aeroclub IM Fuselage conversion bears absolutely no relation to any picture of a 2 seat Lightning that I can find, and I found loads believe me! Reminded me of Blackadder's attempts to draw the German defences in the WW1 trenches of Blackadder Goes Fourth. Go off and draw me an image of a Lightning Trainer Cockpit Baldrick!!! As an aside the opening credits for that series were filmed just round the corner from Chez FC on the Parade Square of the Cavalry Barracks in Colly which have since been upgraded to high-end housing, such is progress eh?!! I've therefore ordered the Neomega Lightning set that was specifically designed around the Aeroclub conversion, but as any of you that have read any of my recent build threads will know I have developed an obsession with making silicon moulds of my resin parts in order to cast my own home-brew copies. As I have 3 of John's Lightning T-Bird conversions then the copies will get put to good use. Now what to do in the meanwhile whilst waiting for the postie eh? Twiddle my thumbs; do some DIY; talk to my family (last time I did that I found out my wife no longer works at Woolworths, so to avoid nasty shocks like that I'll swerve that I think!) or just plain veg out on the sofa to see off the end of this car-crash of a year? No those ideas are far too sensible. Whilst looking through my resin stash, just in case I already had the Lightning set, I came across the Neomega Tornado GR1 resin set. Now this got me thinking. I have quite a few examples of the three 1/48 mainstream versions of the Tornado F3 in the stash, Revell, Italeri and that Airfix Inbred Cousin that nobody in the family talks about! What about a compare and contrast build of the three? There lies madness................. Now that's an Interceptor too I thought, plus I was a bit miffed that I'd missed the Tornado Warning STGB TBH! So the cogs whirred a bit more and the Revell and Italeri kits were hunted down to have their plastic fondled to see if there could be any mileage in this. Now I was aware enought to know that: 1) all 3 of these kits have cockpits that either in the whole, or just in part, bear no relation to any F3 cockpit I again have seen piccies of (these piccies are rarer than the Lightning ones though!); and 2) that there are subtle differences between the GR1 cockpit as per this set and the F3 cockpit. The main area of change as far as I want to acknowledge in my builds are the rear Nav's consoles and main instrument panel and the different square screen, front centre of the driver's instrument panel. If not covering other cockpit differences will upset you, please look away now. For starters I copied the Neomega parts. And what good's an obsession if you really can't go to town on it............... OK I will admit to having 9 or 10 GR1/4 kits from the same Holy Trinity that these will get used on too!! Where's the 12 step programme for us nutters then eh??? I found that the Revell kit had the most convincing "between cockpit console deck" area, but it was still a little bit shy of detail, so I used this as a basis to scratchbuild a buck to mould further copies from. I am not what you'd call a competent scratch builder yet. I've had a couple of goes over the past few builds as my confidence grows, but it's no master-modeller stuff!! This is what I was aiming at....... https://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/wp-content/gallery/tornado-f3/5.jpg?i=670343893 https://www.airteamimages.com/pics/10/10178_800.jpg https://www.tornadosig.com/uploads/4/2/0/0/4200523/8968798_orig.jpg https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/8/2/4/2256428.jpg?v=v40 You'll have to click the link on this one as it's Airliners . Net and I don't want them having a paddy!!! I also removed the detail from the centre part of the Navigator's panel and rebuilt this using Evergreen sheet and swearing. At the time I only had enough Silicon to mould these 2 pieces and when Mrs FC found that I had had a re-plen come through the post this was duly confiscated, wrapped up with a nice bow and put under the Christmas Tree as she didn't have a clue what to get me for the big day that I'd actually want and use!!!! So I can't even copy my Lightning bits either until the Big Man's been down the chimney tomorrow!!! Although I moulded and cast this together with the consoles I wasn't happy with the result of the panel as the details were far too soft .......... More than happy with the consoles though............. So although I was now out of Silicon until after the Turkey gets stuffed I had another go at the Nav's panel..... Not perfect but a step up on the first attempt..... I also removed the round screen from the pilot's panel and made a square one. Hopefully by this time tomorrow the revised nav's and the pilot's panels will be safely ensconced under a layer of pretty pink latex and will be curing nicely in my airing cupboard!! Well not a normal start to a GB build I know, but I've now done the leg work that will allow me to make a fair stab at a proper F3 cockpit, and this should fit both the Italeri and the Airfix plastic. I may even be able to squeeze bits in to improve the Revell Nav's panel. Next up will be some usual box top and sprues shots and then hopefully we can get down to some proper plastic mangling! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope you all have as good a day as Boris (insert you own leader's name here if not in UK) will allow! Stay safe until next time. Chris