INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TORNADO F.3 ADV20 Airfi x Model Worldthe wheels). Tamiya’s X-2 Gloss
White was chosen for the legs and
wheel hubs, and XF-85 Rubber
Black for the tyres.
Adding identity
After a coat of Alclad Aqua Gloss
over the entire model, it was
time to crack on with the decals.
There were few stencils to worry
about, so the main decals and
those specific for the anniversary
scheme were applied relatively
quickly. The only tricky items were
the long thin hatched walkway
lines on the wing topsides, and
the long anniversary legends
along each side of the spine...
plenty of water and Micro Set fluid
were essential. All decals bedded
down well with Micro Sol and
once dry, they were sealed with
another coat of Aqua Gloss.
The exhaust portions were fitted
next, along
with several
components for the
thrust-reversers. While the
real aircraft back in 1990 was
kept clean for the air show circuit,
it was felt this model required
a hint of weathering. This was
achieved with Flory Model’s clay-
based Dark Dirt wash, which was
brushed liberally over the main
fuselage and separate assemblies
for the undercarriage, flaps, slats
etc. Once dry, any excess wash was
removed with a combination of
kitchen towel and cotton buds.
Attention turned to both sets of
missiles, pylons and fuel tanks.
The latter assembled easily, and
any seams were sanded before
fitting the fins. In parallel, the
pylons were built and both tanks
and pylons were painted C
Camouflage (Barley) Grey. The
Skyflash missiles received Light
Aircraft Grey on the main body
and gloss white on the nose
cone. It was then time to address
the kit’s AIM-9L Sidewinders
(which were surprisingly poor
renditions), so they were replacedthe wheels). Tamiya’s X-2 Gloss
White was chosen for the legs and
wheel hubs, and XF-85 Rubber
Black for the tyres.
Adding identity
After a coat of Alclad Aqua Gloss
over the entire model, it was
time to crack on with the decals.
There were few stencils to worry
about, so the main decals and
those specific for the anniversary
scheme were applied relatively
quickly. The only tricky items were
the long thin hatched walkway
lines on the wing topsides, and
the long anniversary legends
along each side of the spine...
plenty of water and Micro Set fluid
were essential. All decals bedded
down well with Micro Sol and
once dry, they were sealed with
another coat of Aqua Gloss.
The exhaust portions were fitted
next, along
with several
components for the
thrust-reversers. While the
real aircraft back in 1990 was
kept clean for the air show circuit,
it was felt this model required
a hint of weathering. This was
achieved with Flory Model’s clay-
based Dark Dirt wash, which was
brushed liberally over the main
fuselage and separate assemblies
for the undercarriage, flaps, slats
etc. Once dry, any excess wash was
removed with a combination of
kitchen towel and cotton buds.
Attention turned to both sets of
missiles, pylons and fuel tanks.
The latter assembled easily, and
any seams were sanded before
fitting the fins. In parallel, the
pylons were built and both tanks
and pylons were painted C
Camouflage (Barley) Grey. The
Skyflash missiles received Light
Aircraft Grey on the main body
and gloss white on the nose
cone. It was then time to address
the kit’s AIM-9L Sidewinders
(which were surprisingly poor
renditions), so they were replacedReferences
RAF Tornado 1974 onwards (All Marks
and Models) Owners’ Workshop
Manual, by Ian Black (Haynes),
ISBN: 978-0- 85733-247-
Warpaint No.113 Panavia Tornado ADV,
by Des Brennan (Guideline)
Tornado F3 25 Years of Air Defence,
by J Reuter, M McEwan, G Howie, B
Vissers, G Lee, (Squadron Prints),
ISBN: 978-0-9512656-5- Decals breathed life into was, until this
stage, a somewhat unexciting grey mass.More detail
painting was
conducted around
the nose-mounted
cannon port, rear
engine areas,
tail leading edges
and wingtips. Eduard’s Brassin AIM-9L
sidewinders ensured a splendid
amount of detail and accuracy,
in place of the kit missiles.
Very fine fins, clear nose tips
and PE parts were supplied.
Once assembled, the stark
difference in refinement was
clearly evident...the kit items
are on the right!by those in Eduard’s
Brassin package
(648029). Two of the resin bodies
were warped slightly but this
was remedied with hot, then cold
water. The result, with PE and a
clear lens fitted after painting,
ensured greater fidelity.Pre-flight checks
Flaps and slats were fitted but
they demanded patience. As the
build concluded, though, it became
apparent that with the flaps in