1/48 Saudi Tornados

[modelling minion]

Hi all,

I am giving some serious consideration to building a Saudi Tornado (in the older desert camo) and want to know which Revell 1/48 boxing I need to buy to cover the mark the Saudi's use, or even if both boxings have identical parts inside.

Thanks.

Craig.

[Red Dot]

Butterfly modeller!

[stever219]

I don't have either kit but he GR. 4 boxing would probably be nest. The Saudi Tornados were assembled at Warton and wore British serial numbers prior to delivery. IIRC they were pretty much identical to the RAF's GR. 1s, so leave off the GR. 4's starboard under nose fairings and install both Mausers. Weapons like Storm Shadow and ALARM wouldn't be appropriate for this era. Hopefully someone who knows more and better than I wil be along soon.

[Muzz]

The Gr4 kit would certainly do the job provided that kit has the port side cannon port, I think it probably will. You would also have to backdate the front cockpit to replace the square shaped MFD for the original round shaped moving map display. Quite sure someone out there will have the part if they've used a AM cockpit.

Muzz

[modelling minion]

Thanks for the replies guys much appreciated.

Looks like I need to find which of the boxings comes with both Mauser cannons, hopefully the GR 4 as that seems to have the other bits I need.

[Barrovian]

I don't have either kit but he GR. 4 boxing would probably be nest. The Saudi Tornados were assembled at Warton and wore British serial numbers prior to delivery. IIRC they were pretty much identical to the RAF's GR. 1s, so leave off the GR. 4's starboard under nose fairings and install both Mausers. Weapons like Storm Shadow and ALARM wouldn't be appropriate for this era. Hopefully someone who knows more and better than I wil be along soon.

No Port or Starboard on the Tornado .... Left and Right :-)

ALARM is appropriate

No GPS antenna on pre-TSP RSAF Tornado

The rear cockpit displays are different (CRT) TV Tabs not (AMLCD) TV Tabs, CRPMD not TARDIS

[Muzz]

I checked my Gr4 boxing earlier, it comes with both cannon ports but not the earlier cockpit parts.

[modelling minion]

I checked my Gr4 boxing earlier, it comes with both cannon ports but not the earlier cockpit parts.

Thanks Muzz, much appreciated.

I wonder if their IDS boxing has the earlier parts or not, it seems to come with the other bits or at least some of them.

[Darth Vader]

The only difference between the IDS and GR 4 boxing is the infamous missing clear bit 173 that goes on the underside thingy of the RAF birds.

And obviously weapons and decals so I'd go for the cheapest one you can find.

Edited July 17, 2016 by Darth Vader

[modelling minion]

Thanks Darth,

That was what I was thinking.

Seeing as you get next to no weapons in either boxing and the fact that the IDS one has the laser rangefinder (albeit minus the clear part, which shouldn't be too difficult to make) makes me lean towards the IDS box.

[Muzz]

The only difference between the IDS and GR 4 boxing is the infamous missing clear bit 173 that goes on the underside thingy of the RAF birds.

And obviously weapons and decals so I'd go for the cheapest one you can find.

That's not correct, the Gr4 boxing has the RAF specific pylons (I'm not sure which ones the Saudi's use), the FLIR chin pod (not required for an early Saudi airframe) and a new spine with the GPS antenna (not required for an early Saudi airframe nut the early spine is also included), new cockpit console and yes the clear part.

[Selwyn]

That's not correct, the Gr4 boxing has the RAF specific pylons (I'm not sure which ones the Saudi's use), the FLIR chin pod (not required for an early Saudi airframe) and a new spine with the GPS antenna (not required for an early Saudi airframe nut the early spine is also included), new cockpit console and yes the clear part.

RSAF Tonkas used the same MACE pylons as RAF aircraft.

As for weapons ALARM, JP233, UK 1000lb bombs BL755 clusters, and PW II (UK) would all be appropriate for the RSAF.

Selwyn

[Jabba]

I was going to use the Revell GR4 kit to make a Saudi GR1 (when I get around to it) from the 1991 Gulf conflict. Did they carry JP233s at that time?

[Red Dot]

The only difference between the IDS and GR 4 boxing is the infamous missing clear bit 173 that goes on the underside thingy of the RAF birds.

And obviously weapons and decals so I'd go for the cheapest one you can find.

He will, don't worry

[Pete in Lincs]

Scroll through the members section for jim Saudi

and check out his builds from the past.

[Selwyn]

I was going to use the Revell GR4 kit to make a Saudi GR1 (when I get around to it) from the 1991 Gulf conflict. Did they carry JP233s at that time?

Yes.

Selwyn

[Slater]

Saudi Tornados had one of the most striking camo schemes anywhere, IMHO. Pity they seem to have swapped it for a rather boring grey scheme.

[modelling minion]

Thanks again for all of the very well informed input (apart from Andy's smart bottom, but correct, comments).

As Selwyn says the RSAF Tonka's did indeed carry JP233's and used them on the opening attacks of the 91 Gulf War.

Looks like the GR4 kit is the route to go for a Saudi bird, I will use my impending Ebay purchase of an IDS for a Marineflieger aircraft so no problem there, just need to source some decals.

Slater I couldn't agree more, I really like the Saudi desert scheme (not the boring new grey scheme) and it will sit well next to my Iranian aircraft in the Asia Minor scheme.

Pete, thanks for the heads up, I've checked out his builds and want to build one even more now!

Craig.

[Jabba]

Thanks again for all of the very well informed input (apart from Andy's smart bottom, but correct, comments).

As Selwyn says the RSAF Tonka's did indeed carry JP233's and used them on the opening attacks of the 91 Gulf War.

Looks like the GR4 kit is the route to go for a Saudi bird, I will use my impending Ebay purchase of an IDS for a Marineflieger aircraft so no problem there, just need to source some decals.

Slater I couldn't agree more, I really like the Saudi desert scheme (not the boring new grey scheme) and it will sit well next to my Iranian aircraft in the Asia Minor scheme.

Pete, thanks for the heads up, I've checked out his builds and want to build one even more now!

Craig.

If you can find a sheet (and it is a big if) Aviation Workshop did a Tornado at War decal sheet which included a Saudi aircraft.

[modelling minion]

If you can find a sheet (and it is a big if) Aviation Workshop did a Tornado at War decal sheet which included a Saudi aircraft.

Thanks Jabba,

I believe they are a bit like rocking horse poop to find.

Print Scale do a Tornado set which has them on but I don't know how accurate it is, and Caracal are releasing a sheet soon which I might just pre-order.

Craig.

[mirageiv]

Thanks for posting the topic Craig, I want to build the same Saudi jet too! Maybe one with 8x1000lbs, not sure but will go with the GR4 kit too then. BTW Hahen do some very nice Marineflieger Tornado decals if you are searching, for both (3 I think actually) schemes.

Cheers,

David.

[modelling minion]

Thanks for posting the topic Craig, I want to build the same Saudi jet too! Maybe one with 8x1000lbs, not sure but will go with the GR4 kit too then. BTW Hahen do some very nice Marineflieger Tornado decals if you are searching, for both (3 I think actually) schemes.

Cheers,

David.

Thought it might interest you David, especially if I threw the word "Marinefllieger" in as well!

I've seen the HaHen decals and they look fantastic, and will probably be ordered before too long. It amazes me that nobody else produces decals for either Luftwaffe or Marineflieger colours (other than in "special" schemes ), I know that Wingman has a set for the modern Luftwaffe colours but I prefer the older "greener" schemes.

[mirageiv]

From my experince Hahen decals are great, probably the thinnest I've ever used, though sometimes depending on the colours they can be a maybe a little transparent, either way I think they are the best bet for AM Marineflieger decals. Yeah I agree, wish the Cold War Luftwaffe decal options would be increased, a lot of them seem to be short run or long OOP, lucky we have Hahen I guess!

[Jackman]

For Saudi Tornados, you may want to wait for Miliverse's decals. For preview of how extensive the decal sheet is going to be, see BM's very own general melchett's post here ( post #573):

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234966619-revell-148th-raf-tornado-gr1a/page-29?hl=miliverse#entry2331753