Revell 1/32 Tornado GR4

[twentyten]

Welcome to the lesson on how not to build the Revell Tornado.

I've taken the plunge and started my first build thread, don't expect regular updates, because I don't have nearly enough time to devote to modelling as I'd like to But, I will endeavour to see this through to the end, this may result in a finished model or a pile of plastic lying at the bottom of the wall it's just been launched at.

Any hoo, as the title suggest's here's what I'll be using,

Closer look at the Flightpath set,

Where I'm at to date

It'll be converted to a GR4, and if I can find current pictures of a GR4 cockpit, will be bang up to date.

Scratch building anything not included in the Flightpath set, at least until my talent runs out.

As for the finished markings, I've not decided, But as I live not too far away from Lossiemouth, It will be one of the local Squadrons. 15sqn would be nice but I'd have to make the markings myself, or the easier route 617sqn, using the kit decals but incorperating any changes needed to make a Grey jet.

Any encourgement and pointers gratefully recieved

Thanks for looking

Mike

Edited September 26, 2012 by twentyten

[SaintsPhil]

I'm along for the ride! I'd love to do this very project one day but I'm limited to 1/72 by space currently!

The guys posted a fair few very useful ref pics during the group build recently, take a look there!

Phil

[jacksdad]

Hi Mike,

As Phil says, have a look in the 'completed Group Builds' at the Tornado GB done recently. You should find all the info you need in the reference section.

Good luck with the build and completing it in 617 Sqn markings.

Steve

[Alan P]

Hi Mike,

I made the same kit, same detail set. If it helps here's the LINK to my build, it might help with some of the more inscrutable parts of the Flightpath instruction sheet!!

Keep up the good work mate

Al

Edited October 16, 2011 by PHaTNesS

[twentyten]

Phil, Steve & Al, thanks for looking. I've had a look in the GB thread, as you all say there is a lot of great info and reference material in there.

Al, your build is fantastic, so much so, can the Mods please delete this thread as it serves no purpose.......only joking!

I've made some progress with the ejector seat (I keep telling myself that the second one will just fall together)

The one thing I could really do with is a decent picture of the ejector seat headbox, as the one that FP gives you looks a bit big.

I'm finding that my eyesight isn't what it used to be, despite not needing glasses I find it very difficult to focus on the small parts, quite how I managed the last time I used a FP set about 10-15 years ago I don't know!

I also forgot that I have some other goodies for this project.

and

I also have a boarding ladder somewhere too, but I can't find it

Apologies for the Photo's, I'm afraid they're only off my phone.

Thanks for again for looking

[spike7451]

Phil, Steve & Al, thanks for looking. I've had a look in the GB thread, as you all say there is a lot of great info and reference material in there.

Al, your build is fantastic, so much so, can the Mods please delete this thread as it serves no purpose.......only joking!

I've made some progress with the ejector seat (I keep telling myself that the second one will just fall together)

The one thing I could really do with is a decent picture of the ejector seat headbox, as the one that FP gives you looks a bit big.

I'm finding that my eyesight isn't what it used to be, despite not needing glasses I find it very difficult to focus on the small parts, quite how I managed the last time I used a FP set about 10-15 years ago I don't know!

I also forgot that I have some other goodies for this project.

and

I also have a boarding ladder somewhere too, but I can't find it

Apologies for the Photo's, I'm afraid they're only off my phone.

Thanks for again for looking

The's photo's of the seat in my Tornado reference sticky in the resources board.As to the seat,the headbox of the brass one is wayyy to big,personally I'd go with the resin one as it'll be easier to reshape the headbox as it's totally different on the GR4 than the GR1.

Merv (Tornado Armorer retired)

[twentyten]

Thanks Spike

The brass one is "supposed" to be a GR4 headbox, comparing it to photo's of the real thing it does look the right shape,but in comparison to the standard GR1 sea,t the headbox looks grossly oversized, but I'm no expert. Also there is much more detail to add, it may not look so big when its more busier????

Thanks for the heads up on your sticky there is a wealth of info on it

Speaking of which, in post 20, the 7th picture down, is that the current configuriation of the Nav's IP or do they mostly still have the shrouded ??radar?? display?

thanks in advance

[jacksdad]

Doing well, so far, Mike.

I, also have the two Flightpath sets, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you tackle the slats n' flaps set.

Steve

P.s. If you can, get yourself a copy of the HTmodel book. Probably the best photo reference book on the Tornado.

[paganbronze]

Phil, Steve & Al, thanks for looking. I've had a look in the GB thread, as you all say there is a lot of great info and reference material in there.

Al, your build is fantastic, so much so, can the Mods please delete this thread as it serves no purpose.......only joking!

I've made some progress with the ejector seat (I keep telling myself that the second one will just fall together)

The one thing I could really do with is a decent picture of the ejector seat headbox, as the one that FP gives you looks a bit big.

I'm finding that my eyesight isn't what it used to be, despite not needing glasses I find it very difficult to focus on the small parts, quite how I managed the last time I used a FP set about 10-15 years ago I don't know!

I also forgot that I have some other goodies for this project.

and

I also have a boarding ladder somewhere too, but I can't find it

Apologies for the Photo's, I'm afraid they're only off my phone.

Thanks for again for looking

You're quite right, the headbox is way too big. Do a google for martin baker mk10 for some decent images

[AndyC]

Mike

Blimey she is not going to be short of detail is she?

A good decision on the Master pitot and the SAC undercarriage as they are good like-for-like swaps and far better in detail. Will relax in the armchair for this one and watch your progress. Having done the ECR for the GB I'm tempted (if I can get one at a decent price) to go for an RAF one...

Andy

[Moofles]

This is going to be a cracker, love the amount of goodies you have for her, cannot wait for the next update.

[spike7451]

Thanks Spike

The brass one is "supposed" to be a GR4 headbox, comparing it to photo's of the real thing it does look the right shape,but in comparison to the standard GR1 sea,t the headbox looks grossly oversized, but I'm no expert. Also there is much more detail to add, it may not look so big when its more busier????

Thanks for the heads up on your sticky there is a wealth of info on it

Speaking of which, in post 20, the 7th picture down, is that the current configuriation of the Nav's IP or do they mostly still have the shrouded ??radar?? display?

thanks in advance

Thats a pre service photo of the TARDIS display,which the Tornado is currently being upgraded too,years late of course..wouldn't be right if it was done on time or in budget...so not all jets have been upgraded as yet from what I gather.

[DJPFlightpath]

Thanks Spike

The brass one is "supposed" to be a GR4 headbox, comparing it to photo's of the real thing it does look the right shape,but in comparison to the standard GR1 sea,t the headbox looks grossly oversized, but I'm no expert. Also there is much more detail to add, it may not look so big when its more busier????

It is an NVG compatible headbox designed from 1/4 scale Martin Baker fully dimensioned drawings [as was our original seat] and so each dimension can be verified. At the time the set was designed in 1999 was the proposed fit for the GR4/A upgrades. I've no idea what has happened since as I have not kept up to date with Tornado matters.

It is interesting to note that as we are [very very slowly] working through the development of our 32nd Hawk Detail sets we are finding that many fittings on the Revell kit are as much as 15% undersized when compared with drawings and dimensions taken from the real thing. The whole kit feels slightly miniaturised to us!!! In part, this a function of everything having to be over-thick in plastic kits I suppose and so this is especially noticable on internal items due to clearance considerations.

Regards,

David Parkins,

Flightpath

[Alan P]

EDIT: Sorry made an off-topic comment!

That TARDIS display looks groovy, more the sort of thing you'd expect to see in a modern fast jet back seat. Wouldn't be too hard to scratchbuild either?

Edited October 19, 2011 by PHaTNesS

[twentyten]

I've done very little on this I'm ashamed to say, We were away for a weekend on a Family celebration, and I've been busy at work.......Blah Blah.

I've also been making arrangements for another project, and I'm pleased to say that I'm getting on alright with it, just a few more small things to do and It'll be finished.

Here's a WIP photo...

Just the roof shingles to be nailed on, they're not here yet, and then SWMBO needs to to decide on a clear coat or which colour she wants it.

I'm quite pleased with it

Mike

Edit, Hopefully I'll have some Tornado related progress next time.

[woody37]

Cool, a dedicated modelling room, how supportive your missus is

Tell her you want to paint it camoflaged !!!!!!

[twentyten]

Cool, a dedicated modelling room, how supportive your missus is

Tell her you want to paint it camoflaged !!!!!!

Now there's an idea

I Wish!!!!!!!

[Squipps]

Hi Mike,

Nice build on the Tonka,will be following this closely as i have a couple of these in different guises. I also have just finished off a similar if slightly smaller man space.

Keep up the good work.

Regards

Mark

[Sparky]

An awesome job on that Tornado! I'm amazed at the beautiful work you've done so far - and you haven't painted anything yet!

Perhaps someday I'll be as good as you.

[shan]

wow, cant wait to see the finished model. The flightpath PE stuff looks totally amazing.........

[shark 64]

Love the stuff from FlightPath. Great looking seat.

Will be watching your build.

Oliver

[twentyten]

4 and a bit months later I'm not much further on I'm afraid, I've kinda put the seats to one side, but I'm on version 2 of the paint job in the cockpit after getting carried away with the weathering on version 1

Hopefully I can take some Pictures soon for an update.

Thanks for the comments.

Mike

[twentyten]

For those of you still hanging in there, I have been pootling about with this in the last 6 months, whilst Work, Life, Holiday's, the Garden and did I mention Work!!!, have been conspiring to keep me away from the Modelling bench.

Anyways, here's a couple of pic's of the Cockpit thus far,

and,

It's just a work in progress, I've fitted it in to the Fuselage halves to see how it looks, with a view to gauging how much additional detail i can incorparate.

However, I've had enough of the cockpit for the moment, and have decided to have a bash at the Flightpath Flaps and Slats set, my logic is that this has the most potential for me to make a hash of and waste any work that went before it.

I've started with the Flap bays,this pic is one of the main flap bays seperated from the fret and cleaned up

For anyone familiar with Flightpath etched sets, you'll probably be aware of the "push-through rivet detail.

During, you can see the "tool" I used in the backround, a short piece of stainless steel TIG welding rod sharpened to point.

And the result, lovely raised rivets.

This is where i am as of now.

I've folded the flap bay and also folded the flap guides, I've then sat the guides in position to see how it looks, I don't know if there are any of you who have used this set and can comment, but i think the top surface needs to bend down a bit more to match the slope of the guides.

Anyway I think thats it for now, see you all in another 6 months.

Mike

[Alan P]

Hopefully a bit less than six months!!

Keep it up, I've not seen the full Flightpath combination done in-prog before.

Al

[AirfixAndy]

Would love to see more as Im about to do a GR1 with the Flightpath set and Im a newbie when it comes to PE

Andy