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| The Tornado ADV (Air Defense Version) is one of the most efficient long range interceptors
in service today, loitering fully loaded on CAP for well over 2 hours
at 375 miles (603 km) from base. |
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| With a top speed of Mach 2.2 at
altitude, the ADV has an supersonic speed intercept radius at more than
345+ miles (556+ km). |
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From this view the elongated forward
fuselage of the ADV clearly separates it from the GR-1.
The extra length a by-product of the need to carry semi-recessed missiles
under the fuselage, more internal fuel, and the more powerful "Foxhunter"
radar. |
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| The Tornado ADV's twin RB199-34R
Mk.104 turbofan engines create 9,100 lbs of thrust dry, and 16,520 lbs
with afterburner. |
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| The two BAe Hawks in the background
are some old kits from my "not ready for prime time" collection. The
Hawks work closely with the Tornado as an Air Defense supplement. |
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The Tornado's full weapons load
includes:
1 internal 27-mm Mauser cannon, 4 AIM-9L ("Limas") Sidewinder IR missiles,
4 Sky Flash semi-active radar air-to-air missiles, with an integration
planned for future use of the AIM-120 AMRAAM and Bae ASRAAM. |
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| It's times like these I wish I
built my kits with the gear up and canopy shut. This could have made
a great "flying" shot. |
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| Unfortunately the RAF does not
have access to the same Mark 1 "Giant Hand" that I use to move equipment
around. |
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| The biggest flaw in this kit was
the location of the middle canopy beam structure. It is molded too far
aft, although if you display it with the canopy up, it's hard to notice. |
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The cockpit of the Tornado was
really fun. There's tons of neat displays, buttons, and gadgets to paint.
I used green sequins to "light up" the 3 monochrome TV Tab screens. |
Kit: Italeri #179 |
Scale: 1/72 |
| Decals: Box Stock. Excellent quality and very accurate with the
exception of an omitted blue-red color band on the tail. I found a replacement
in my spares box. |
| After
Market Parts: modified True Details Martin Baker Ejection
seats |
| Cost
/ Value: I paid $8.50 for this kit when it first came out,
an awesome value. I've still seen it as cheap as $12 not to long ago
- still a great deal. |
| Comments: Fit wasn't bad except on the front fuselage section - I had
to do a lot of putty and sanding and then re-scribe the panel lines
to smooth it out. The clear canopy is molded with the framework way
too far back (it would hamper the weapons officer's view) , I left the
canopy up so it wouldn't be noticed. I made the wing root pneumatic
seals out of masking tape. All of the weapons shown are provided and
very well shaped. |
Research:
Modern Fighting Aircraft-"Tornado".
The Worlds Great Interceptor Aircraft.
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