Tornado F3?

[kgambit]

Anyone have any experience with any of the available kits in 1/72 scale for the Tornado F3? I believe Revell and Hasegawa both have a kit for the F3 but there are some questions on the accuracy of the Hasegawa kit. I believe Revell also has a Tornado ADV F.MK.3 as well a relatively new Gr1 which is supposed to be superb.

I know this is a bit out of place for a WW2 forum but I hoped someone here might have some answers.

[Airframes]

I'm afraid the only experience I have , in 1/72nd scale, is of the Airfix Tornado F3. To me, it seemed rather plain, but then I am used to larger scales, but it went togther easily enough, without any major problems that I recall. I have to admit though, at the time, I was building it to use for poses for one of my paintings, so wasn't really going into detail. I actually bough two, one of which I gave to rochie recently, but whether this kit is still available, I don't know. I believe the Revell kit is rather good, and I think might be re-boxed Italeri.

[kgambit]

Thanks Terry.

You're right about the Revell F3 - it's a reboxed Italeri mold. The Revell GR1 is a new casting. The Airfix kits are definitely not up to the Revell level, and from one posting over at Britmodeller.com, the Revell Gr1 is a cut above the Revell F3 as well.

Hasegawa has an Operation Telic F.Mk3 as well as a 25th Squadron F.Mk3 and a Gr1 from Desert Storm.

I found both the Revell Gr1 and F3 on line for 11$ each, and the Hasegawa kits are going for around 23$ each. I was hoping that someone would know whether the Hasegawa kits are worth twice the price, especially over the Revell Gr1.

[Airframes]

From what I've read, I'd say no. Bear in mind this is not 'my' scale, but I have seen comments about the Hasegawa kit not being as good, or as accurate in outline, as even some of the older kits, including the Airfix one. I know the latter is not up to the Revell standard, being first issued around the mid 1980's, but it did look accurate. The Rvell (ex-Italeri) F3 comes out over Hasegawa, and the Revell GR3 above both, regarding accuracy etc, according to the bulk of the reviews or articles I've seen.l

[kgambit]

Well that pretty well tears it. Sounds like revell gets the cash and I save 12 bucks which I will go ahead and spend on another kit anyway.

[B-17engineer]

Surprising, you have more than a closet-full of kits but no Tornado? That's blasphemy!!

[Vic Balshaw]

Well that pretty well tears it. Sounds like revell gets the cash and I save 12 bucks which I will go ahead and spend on another kit anyway.

Looking into your thread I came across this site that may give you some pointers. Like Terry I'm a 1:48 man and am just completing an Italeri F.3 Tornado kit which is being followed up by a couple of the same in a very inferior Airfix kit.

Tornado page 2 Gal_Fea Archives

Hope it's of help

[kgambit]

Surprising, you have more than a closet-full of kits but no Tornado? That's blasphemy!!

No. The fact that I don't have a Spitfire, and probably won't ever buy one either, is probably blasphemy.

[Airframes]

Useful stuff there Vic, thanks. Now that I've seen decent pics of the Airfix 1/48th F3, and know it's shortcomings, I think I might go with it for the 56 Sqn build, seeing as I can't get anything else until the Hobby Boss kit is released. I reckon I can do a reasonable job on it, and as I can obtain it at half price, I think it's worth the risk!

[kgambit]

Looking into your thread I came across this site that may give you some pointers. Like Terry I'm a 1:48 man and am just completing an Italeri F.3 Tornado kit which is being followed up by a couple of the same in a very inferior Airfix kit.

Tornado page 2 Gal_Fea Archives

Hope it's of help

Thanks Vic. The review by Patrick Vossenberg will help a lot. Especially since I wanted to do the Gr1 in the Opeartion Granby scheme. Now to see if i can find the right decals for it.

[Airframes]

I'm not sure, but I think I saw 1/72nd scale decals for Op Granby, covering Tornados, Buccaneers and Jaguars, at Hannant's web-site. I think they might be Xtradecal sheets.

[kgambit]

I'm not sure, but I think I saw 1/72nd scale decals for Op Granby, covering Tornados, Buccaneers and Jaguars, at Hannant's web-site. I think they might be Xtradecal sheets.

Checking Hannants out now.

Bugger ..... found one set and it's not really what I want. Still looking

[Airframes]

Here's a quick shot to be going on with.I'll post a couple more here, and e-mail the rest - there's a lot!
This is a GR1 (GR4 update I believe), in the later grey scheme, taken at Duxford a month ago. The ordnance and some of the details might be useful for now.

[kgambit]

Awesome pic.

Decals aren't looking good ..... Xtradecal did a TON of them for Op. Granby and I couldn't find any at Hannants, the only one I could find was a Hi Decal sheet.

[109ROAMING]

Kgambit , I have a revell Tornado , no idea what one it is ( Luftwaffe Tigermeet boxing)

Its a great kit by the looks of it though , real nice recessed detail

Want some pics? I'm proberly gonna build it soon