"Last year of the Tornado - competition entry"

The following image is used with the gracious (written) permission of Philip Stevens.

UPGRADES

For the actual aircraft I am intending to add a bit of detailing to the kit and the main part of this will be from the Eduard set BIG49150 Tornado GR.4.

While there is an overall saving by buying the various sets in one big pack I still cannot get over just how expensive these brass sets have become.

This particular set is made up of 6 sets as can be seen in the first picture below.

Additional upgrades I am planning to use are as follows:

Master Model Pitot Tube and AOA Probes

Master Model Refuelling Probe (this is a still to be decided part as the refuelling probe in the kit is moulded in the closed position which may make this part redundant)

Scale Aircraft Conversion Landing Gear. This set is actually designed for the Hobbyboss kit so again undecided how, or even if, this will fit until later in the build.

Eduard Brassin Replacement resin wheel set

Airies Resin Exhaust Nozzle set

MARKINGS

While the kit supplied markings really are very nice and I was so tempted to use these in the end (and after much, much deliberation) I have settled upon a set from the Xtradecal range – in this case set number X48139 Royal Airforce Update 2013-14

This set will allow me to use the markings for “Tornado GR.4 ZA412 617 Sqn Dambusters 70th Commemorative”

PAINTING

Well very far away from that at this stage but having sorted through some of the sets I have I have put these along with some “Xtreme Metal” paints (not shown in the pictures) to one side and will decide later on just which I use.

PITFALLS

I mentioned at the start of this log that I was surprised how “scarce” this kit seems to have become. Even the Revell Shop had it listed only to cancel my order when I had placed it due to it being unavailable.
When I received my kit, I had a quick look through the instructions to see what was to be expected in the build and it was then I noticed an error.

In the below pictures you can see parts 172 and “CLEAR PART 173” being joined to form the “LRMTS” pod. However, looking at the parts layout in the instruction book there is no part 173 on the clear frame and same with the actual clear parts themselves.

Now at first, I thought it a case of the wrong clear parts being added into the kit but then realising the instructions parts breakdown do not show it thought this needed further investigation.

I am no expert on the Tornado but apparently you cannot build a GR.4 without this pod.

It is possible to pull this from the older Airfix or Italeri kits but unless you have one on hand it gets expensive to buy these just to get that one part.

Similar with aftermarket sets such as Flightpath and Olimp which both have this item as part of their upgrade sets but again an expensive way of obtaining this part.

Having done an internet search on “Revell Part 173” a number of refences to this issue were found. It appears that when this kit was launched the manufacturers in Poland had not been advised to “switch on” the part of the clear mould that produces part 173.

There are references to a number of companies in the UK pulling this kit from their shelves due to this issue. While Revell did rectify this by providing a replacement clear part through their spares service it would appear that a number of the kits people are selling on eBay are first production kits and are missing this part.

In my case luck was on my side in that the Revell Spares desk is still operating and a quick email to them saw the replacement part arriving a week or so back so what could have been an awkward situation is no resolved.

Nice intro Tony,look forward to seeing it come together with all those additions.Good luck in the comp.

Al

Hi got your work cut out for you there, hope all goes as planned ,as will enjoy following your progress .cheers mick.

Wow Tony looks like you've bought the entire shop. It all looks fantastic, I'm sure you'll enjoy this build. A very thorough intro, well done

PICTURES 13 & 14

Next, we move onto the Cockpit tub using Revell Parts A3 & A4. Again, we refer to the Eduard instructions to see what parts have to be removed or modified ready for the etch parts.

PICTURES 15, 16, 17 & 18

In the rear bulkhead Eduard will have us remove a moulded in Box and it does show that when this is removed we are left with a through hole in the part.

As its easier to fill something with a back to it I decided to fill this void now with the hope that when the “box” is removed from the front of the bulkhead we will be left with a nice already filled void.

For the filling I have used Squadron White Putty. Its not designed for filling very deep voids as its Toulene based and if you use this in large quantities you stand a very good chance of completely melting the plastic part.

PICTURES 19, 20, 21 & 22

From the Eduard instructions we can see in PICTURE 19 that we remove the moulded in foot pedals and the rails leaving this area clear to add etch parts.

PICTURE 20 caused me some confusion because if you look carefully it appears to show the toot pedals are reduced in height (to the same height as the rails) and onto these some etch strip and replacement pedals are added.

This area seemed a bit odd to be and I did wonder if this complete area should be removed but looking at the etch replacement parts they will need to be mounted against something so I guess leaving some of the original parts (albeit modified) is the correct path to take.

In PICTURES 21 & 22 we can see the modifications I have made to this area.

PICTURES 23 & 24

Having removed the moulded in part that prefilling of the void paid off. However, because this is a very confined area to work in I managed to removed some of the moulded in cable detail.

PICTURES 25, 26 & 27

Rather than just leave off the detail I damaged I thought I would have a go at replacing it and was fortunate enough to have some 10” thou plastic rod in my modelling box so used that to replace the damaged cable runs

PICTURES 28 & 29

Having rubbed down so much plastic the parts have dust and debris in all of the crevices so to clean this up A soft toothbrush (not one I am using 😊) and some warm soapy water cleans up the parts well.

And the final picture here is a dry assemble to see what it all looks like so far.

Having opted to use Eduard etch rather than going with a complete resin cockpit replacement does mean a lot of time is spent removing bits and pieces before you can press on but please with how it looks so in the next update I should be in a position to start adding some paint and some of the etch.

Until then “Happy Modelling”

Great start Tony, it will look superb with the added detailing.

Graeme