Revell Panavia Tornado GR.1 (RAF)

[James G]

Afternoon all. I haven't stayed away from the bench since finishing the Harrier. Next up is the well known Revell 1/72 kit of the Tornado GR.1. I will build the 9 Squadron version with ALARM missiles in the green-grey wraparound camo.

Below are a few pics of progress on the cockpit tub. This will be an in-flight build, so I have added some resin crew from PJ Productions. Fitting these guys into the cockpit was a challenge, I'm not sure if the real aircraft is this cramped or the kit is slightly off dimensionally? The pilot in particular has had some major chunks taken out of his thighs (poor chap!).

I have added quite a few details from the Eduard PE set and also from scratch, to the seats and also to the back-seaters monitors. I have quite a few reference pics left over from my 1/32 Tornado GR.4 build from (quite a few) years ago. Any comments and constructive criticism welcome as usual, will post again when the 'pit is painted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alex.B]

RAF Grey-Green and RSAF for me are the two best scheme ever worn by Tonkas.

Definitely following this build

[ColinChipmunkfan]

I have two of these in the stash so definitely watching and learning.

[RAGATIGER]

Hi there

 

Well regarding the Revell Tornado my biggest trouble were the main under carriage as came intto two sections I choose to glue the smallest part to the interiors then got in the trouble later as the leg didn't reach the small part so kit stalled down almost finished

 

Regards

 

Armando

[James G]

6 hours ago, RAGATIGER said:

Hi there

 

Well regarding the Revell Tornado my biggest trouble were the main under carriage as came intto two sections I choose to glue the smallest part to the interiors then got in the trouble later as the leg didn't reach the small part so kit stalled down almost finished

 

Regards

 

Armando

Keep going! I'm sure it will end up a great build. 

[Cklasse]

I have the Eduard desert babe which is a rebox of the Revell kit. Are they the same kit?

 

Will be watching this build since I am working on one ancient Italeri Tornado at the moment. 

[James G]

On 4/29/2024 at 12:47 AM, Cklasse said:

I have the Eduard desert babe which is a rebox of the Revell kit. Are they the same kit?

 

Will be watching this build since I am working on one ancient Italeri Tornado at the moment. 

I think the Eduard Desert Babe boxing is Revell plastic but in 1/48? Not sure if there is a 1/72 version but I wouldn't mind doing a Granby version at some point (along with a GR4 in one of the retirement schemes, and an F3....)

[James G]

Evening all. Here's a little update for you. The pit and pilots are painted and weathered and installed in the cockpit halves. I'm pleased with how this work has turned out, hope you like.

 

 

 

 

[eng]

Nice work so far, that cockpit looks awesome. 

 

If you're planning to build the aircraft with the gear down its worth noting that the nose gear is a touch too tall and gives the finished kit a slightly nose high sit. I've always taken a bit of time to rework the nose oleo (chrome section) and reduce it by 1-1.5mm. Its a bit fiddly but definitely worth it. Let me know if you need any help and I'll make up a quick guide on how to do this.

 

Eng

[James G]

6 minutes ago, eng said:

Nice work so far, that cockpit looks awesome. 

 

If you're planning to build the aircraft with the gear down its worth noting that the nose gear is a touch too tall and gives the finished kit a slightly nose high sit. I've always taken a bit of time to rework the nose oleo (chrome section) and reduce it by 1-1.5mm. Its a bit fiddly but definitely worth it. Let me know if you need any help and I'll make up a quick guide on how to do this.

 

Eng

Thanks for the kind words and offer Eng. I'll be building this plane in flight, my plan is to simulate afterburner flames using perspex rods. This approach might look a bit gimmicky but I can always make them quite short if I don't like the look!

[eng]

Nice! I like the sound of that, seen this done several times and it does look good. 

 

Keep up the good work, this is gonna be very nice indeed.

 

Eng

[Alex.B]

On 29/04/2024 at 01:47, Cklasse said:

I have the Eduard desert babe which is a rebox of the Revell kit. Are they the same kit?

Yes they are! 
 

[Gondor44]

1 hour ago, James G said:

I think the Eduard Desert Babe boxing is Revell plastic but in 1/48? Not sure if there is a 1/72 version but I wouldn't mind doing a Granby version at some point (along with a GR4 in one of the retirement schemes, and an F3....)

There was a 1/72 scale version, I have three I think. I say was as it's no longer on eduards website, this does not mean that it's not available elsewhere as some places may still have stock.

 

Gondor

[sandros]

Nice progress so far!

[Neal]

Awesome 

[James G]

Afternoon all. This is an unusual feeling for me, namely a build progressing quickly! Enjoying this kit, great details and pretty nice fit in the main. The only slight niggle was that the recessed panel line detail does not carry on to the side of the fuselage (necessitating some rescribing) and also there is some strange crazing on the plastic, but I don't think that this will show under paint. Could be that this mould is getting on a bit, the kit is stamped 1998.

One other flaw of the kit is the lack of intake turbines, I 'blanked off' the intake openings and scratchbuilt some turbine faces. They are not the best, and slightly mis-matched in size, but not much of them will be seen. I also glued the perspex rods into the receiving jet nozzles to simulate the afterburner flame, and procured a lighting kit from Jennifer at smallscalelights.co.uk (well worth a visit). Pics below.

 

 

 

[Pete in Lincs]

I hate to tell you this but, the engine faces are way behind where you've put them. In your last picture, see the slot that the wing folds into?

Just below that is a round hole. The APU exhaust, Just behind that is a vertical line which is a fuselage joint. Around there is the location.

So far as I remember from my time on them, that is. It was some time ago!

Other than that it's coming along nicely.

[James G]

On 5/22/2024 at 7:02 PM, Pete in Lincs said:

I hate to tell you this but, the engine faces are way behind where you've put them. In your last picture, see the slot that the wing folds into?

Just below that is a round hole. The APU exhaust, Just behind that is a vertical line which is a fuselage joint. Around there is the location.

So far as I remember from my time on them, that is. It was some time ago!

Other than that it's coming along nicely.

Thanks Pete, I thought that was the case but there is nowhere else inside the kit fuselage to put it! At least not without doing a lot of work. I suppose that's why the engine faces are not moulded in the kit (the gear bays get in the way). With my ham-handed fix there is a least 'something' there when you look down the intakes. Not going for super accuracy on this one! Glad you are enjoying the build.

[Pete in Lincs]

No worries. You made such a nice job of the cockpit that I didn't want you getting nearly finished before you found out that they weren't correct. And when it would be too late to correct.

[James G]

Evening all. Work had stalled on this project, mainly due to the arrival of this beautiful little lady (my daughter Raya, now 3 months):

 

 

But I've nabbed some time here and there, so on to some progress pics. I primed in Mr Surfacer 1500 white this time as the top coat is quite dark, and preshaded in black. I used AK Real Colours for the main paintwork. The dark sea grey looks about right, but the dark green is too light so I will go over those areas with Tamiya XF-62 olive drab (the green on Tornadoes looks closer to this in photos).

 

 

 

More to follow soon (hopefully)!

[Doccur]

Loving your work so far @James G!

 

Congrats on both the birth of your daughter and finding time to do any modelling! I have a 2 month old and am still wondering how to fit any modelling in 🤯

 

cheers

 

Ash

Edited September 3, 2024 by Doccur

[James G]

7 minutes ago, Doccur said:

Loving your work so far @James G!

 

Congrats on both the birth of your daughter and finding time to do any modelling! I have a 2 month old and am still wondering how to fit any modelling in 🤯

 

cheers

 

Ash

Thanks Ash and congrats also on your new arrival!

[amos brierley]

I’m liking your excuses.  Congratulations.    🍼.       😉

[stever219]

4 hours ago, Doccur said:

Loving your work so far @James G!

 

Congrats on both the birth of your daughter and finding time to do any modelling! I have a 2 month old and am still wondering how to fit any modelling in 🤯

 

cheers

 

Ash

When my daughter was born I got an hour's worth of plastic-bothering every morning when she had her 3 a.m. feed.  I still managed to stagger in to work five days a week too, although (allegedly) I sometimes bagged some nap-time at my desk.

[James G]

7 hours ago, stever219 said:

When my daughter was born I got an hour's worth of plastic-bothering every morning when she had her 3 a.m. feed.  I still managed to stagger in to work five days a week too, although (allegedly) I sometimes bagged some nap-time at my desk.

Wow that's dedication!