How about a 1/48th Tornado F3 conversion set?

[PaulR]

Hi all,

can't be alone in being a big fan of the F3, and being frustrated by the non-availability of the Italeri 1/48th scale kit. Given that the Airfix kit is rather rubbish, to put it mildly, and the the Hobbyboss version is v.expensive and inaccurate, would there not be an opportunity for some enterprising aftermarket company (can't think of any in particular . . . ) to produce a resin conversion for the Italeri IDS/Gr1 kit? A new nose, wing gloves, and fuselage (behind cockpit and near exhausts) extensions would do it, and would literally be drop fit since the Italeri version is designed for the modular build.

Anyone else?

Paul

[spike7451]

You forgot the extended engine exhausts,the different fin,Missile trays for the fusalage,different rear cockpit..All you'd be able to use of the IDS would be the wings,tailerons & top half of the fusalage,landing gear.

Not worth it IMHO.

[Tedfellows]

And the price of this and the IDS kit would outweigh the cost of the Hobbyboss F3 version.

Adam

[Mark M]

ive got both the italeri f3 and several gr's there is a whole spruse different and that without weapons i cant think what the cost would be!

[PaulR]

Cheers for the comments, chaps. I really got the idea from one of the threads hereabouts, where some dude did a conversion for the 1/32 revell kit. I hear the comment about the cost exceeding the Hobby Boss kit, but the thinking here is that it would be rather more accurate. I was thinking about the cost region of say the CMK F16D blk52+ conversions, which coupled with the cost of the Italeri IDS would weigh in for around £30; still less than an Ebay Italeri F3, if one is available. Oh well - just hope that Italeri do the decent thing and re-release their ADV thus rendering the whole discussion moot . . .

Paul

[Mark M]

well they are re releasing a lot of kits at the moment, e.g. re boxing the hawk as a reds kit so who knows, im too scared of messing my f3 up i keep looking at it, fondling it and putting it away

[PaulR]

Aww. now you're just teasing me - don't suppose you'd consider selling?!?

Yours jealously,

Paul

[ollieholmes]

Id be more tempted to do a correction set for the Airfix kit. To me even just a new fuesalage half and cockpit would make a hell of a difference. It wouldnt even have to be a complete center section, just a replacement for whichever half is wider. I cant remember off the top of my head and the kits buried at the bottom of the stash.

[jenshb]

An F-3 conversion set for the Italeri IDS/GR.1 would be a lot of resin and expensive. Maybe it would be easier to get a HobbyBoss F.3 and use the bits off that to convert the Italeri kit? This also gives you the benefit of plastic to plastic joins that are easier to bond and align.

Jens

[spike7451]

Id be more tempted to do a correction set for the Airfix kit. To me even just a new fuesalage half and cockpit would make a hell of a difference. It wouldnt even have to be a complete center section, just a replacement for whichever half is wider. I cant remember off the top of my head and the kits buried at the bottom of the stash.

Top half was the new mould & the wider bit Ollie with recessed panel trenches,the rest of the kit has raised panel lines which means loads of sanding & rescribing if you can be bothered.

[Giorgio N]

Now, I don't know the airfix offering, so forgive me if I say something very stupid, but is there any chance of succesfully crosskitting the airfix F.3 parts into an Italeri Gr.1 ? Or would it be a waste of time and money ?

[spike7451]

Now, I don't know the airfix offering, so forgive me if I say something very stupid, but is there any chance of succesfully crosskitting the airfix F.3 parts into an Italeri Gr.1 ? Or would it be a waste of time and money ?

I did sucsessfully cross breed a Italeri GR1 cockpit,canopy & wheel bays into an Airfix GR1/GR4.

The main fusalage of the Airfix F3 is 47mm wide just behind the wings & the Italeri is 46mm in the same place.It might work.

[AnonymousAA72]

Now, I don't know the airfix offering, so forgive me if I say something very stupid, but is there any chance of succesfully crosskitting the airfix F.3 parts into an Italeri Gr.1 ? Or would it be a waste of time and money ?

I did start that very project - a year or so ago. The plan was to use the "new" Airfix upper fuselage half (with recessed panel lines) and graft that onto the lower Italeti GR1 section - with obvious cut outs and filled extended sections (fuselage/tail area radome etc). I never really got that far - I had commenced work on the cockpit - and thats as far as I really got!!! BUT it would work - I think. Probably be as much work as correcting the Hobbyboss kit... may work out cheaper though - depending on how much you can get the donor kit for!)

[ollieholmes]

I won my F3 on ebay for £3 plus postage. I will eventualy start it and its going to get a complete rescribe and be bullied into fitting. I have the Firebirds display aircraft decals for it.

Edited September 15, 2010 by ollieholmes

[Smiffy]

Hmmm, I dunno.

You know what'd happen don't you.

I'd fear you'd put all the effort, time and expense in and then Italeri would re-release their F.3 kit and you'd be stuck with a load of resin conversions that you couldn't shift.

Plus someone mentioned cost. Well I got an Italeri F.3 from e-bay for £30. Not exactly expensive.

I think I'd be more inclined to go for a 32nd scale conversion for the newer Revell GR.1/ECR kit.

I did start that very project - a year or so ago. The plan was to use the "new" Airfix upper fuselage half (with recessed panel lines) and graft that onto the lower Italeti GR1 section - with obvious cut outs and filled extended sections (fuselage/tail area radome etc). I never really got that far - I had commenced work on the cockpit - and thats as far as I really got!!! BUT it would work - I think. Probably be as much work as correcting the Hobbyboss kit... may work out cheaper though - depending on how much you can get the donor kit for!)

That's interesting.

Got a couple of Airfix ones and I've often wondered how difficult an option that would be.