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I started
this model while stationed in Panama with the US Marines in 1993. It was the
first 1/32 scale version of the Tornado by Revell. The model represented a
German Navy Tornado, but I was interested in building a RAF Tornado GR-1A, the
electronic combat version. Because of its size, I knew that the model would look
awkward without a great amount of detail. Due to the lack of custom accessories
and detail sets for this particular model, I decided to make it a long project
and do everything myself.
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collected as many reference documents as I could, but the Verlinden
Tornado walk around book proved to be the best source of reference
for all areas of the Tornado. I started with the heads-up-display
and built it completely from scratch.
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Next I
worked on the instrument panels. For the CRT's, I used photo film because it
best represented the reflective surface of the scopes. I scratch built the
interior walls and the center console for the Navigator. I spent a considerable
amount of time detailing the wiring for the Navigator's instruments.
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I wanted
the flaps and slats out, which meant I had to build them from scratch also.
Because the flaps have two layers, this took a long time and much patience to
complete. Next I worked on the landing gear and everything that was in the
reference photos, I put on the model's struts. The fluid lines were particularly
tedious.
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To make the
GR-1A, I had to modify a few things. First, this version doesn't carry the 20mm
cannons found on the IDS version. I covered the openings, filled them with
filler and sanded. The GR-1A has side looking reconnaissance equipment and there
are windows on either side of the jet. I used camera film to represent these.
This version has a laser designator and more reconnaissance equipment on the
underside of the jet. All were scratch built using spare parts from my box of
left-over parts. Next I tackled the refueling probe, also completely
scratch built.
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By now, I
was about 6 months into the project and ready for painting. I used Gunze Sanyo
Aqueous colors (Dk. Green and Dk. Sea Gray) and airbrushed the patterns free
hand. I started looking for decals in this size and that represented one
of the two squadrons flying this version at the time. As I had suspected, I
didn't find any decals, so I painted all the markings for Number 13 Squadron.
The model included ordnance used by the German Navy. The RAF Tornados fly around
with a chaff dispenser on the right wing outer pylon and an electronic jamming
pod on the left outer pylon. The chaff dispenser came with the model, but I had
to scratch build the electronic pod.
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I finished
the model by completing the details to the canopy and upgrading the ejection
seats from scratch. This has been the most satisfying model I've built to date
and I plan to stick to this scale because of the enormous amount of detailing it
permits. I hope you've enjoyed my photos.
Miguel
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