1/48th 41 sqn Tornado GR4

[PaulR]

Hi all,

prompted by the recent article about 41 sqn in an issue of AFM, I thought I'd have a go at doing ZA600 in her overall MSG scheme. Happen to think this is the best tornado scheme since the desert pink of GW1, as it shows off the red and white squadron markings to good effect, as well as being simple to paint. The basic kit is the Italeri effort, with Airwaves GR4 conversion, Aeroclub EJ seats, Paragon thrust reversal mechanism (but not the afterburner cans - mine were way too small in diameter??) and the Paragon fin correction. For what it's worth, this kit has had two lives; I originally did it in 12 sqn 90th anniversary markings courtesy of Model Alliance, but I made a real hash of it. It sat on my shelf for a year, and I was about to bin it when I saw the article in AFM about 41sqn, and so I sanded it down, refilled and generally made good before spraying it in Tamiya's Medium Sea Grey 2, which I think is a really good version of this colour. It's certainly alot closer to my mind's eye than, say, the Xtracrylix version which is way too dark.

Anyway, really got into this refurb project, and added extra details with reference to the AFM article and Airliners.net photos of ZA600. I added an Isracast Litening targetting pod, which I modified into the RAF version (where the intake is on the portside of the pod, rather than the starboard) by the simple expedient of sawing off the front end and glueing it on 'upside down'. The Paveway IV was equally a homebrew effort based on the Hasegawa GBU-12, with the saddleback made of millput and the lumps and bumps on the nose made of scrap plastic. I was really pleased with the final effect; if I was able to cast resin I'd have made some copies. I also caught the new'ish T shaped antenna that seem to be appearing on the rear-undersides of current GR4s. Finally, I put on the 41 sqn marks from the Xtradecal Tornado sheet. These are intended for the F3s the unit used to have, but the GR4 markings are identical. I added the EB-G BoB anniversary codes from a modelsheet of white RAF codes. The only thing I would like to have added was the new TERMA countermeasures pod, but until someone brings one out I stuck with the Sky Shadow pod.

Anyway, here it is for what it's worth - a 'test Tornado'. Next up; An Italeri Tornado F3 (a a recent Ebay victory!) with lots of resin and PE goodies, to be done as ZG753 - the 111 sqn boss bird from a couple of years ago, and to my mind one of the two best F3 schemes! (The other being 23 sqn, but that's another story!)

Paul

Edited November 14, 2010 by PaulR

[Alan P]

Wow, deja vu! It's just as good the second time!

[Angels49]

That is sweeeeeeeeet!!!!......most definitely a winner, trophy class build....

[Skii]

Very nice indeed, great work.

[Stephen]

Lovely work.

Stephen

[Shaun]

Looks very good, the GR4 does look nice in the MSG colours.

What did you use for the panel lines?, I like the dirty look you've give them.

Nice build

Shaun.

[Tim T]

Just superb. Love it

[Evalman]

Nice looking GR4