Tamiya 1:72 Tornado F3

[Swagman 070]

Hi Everyone,
For my next build I decided to try one of Tamiya's Warbirds collection re-boxed Italeri kits which I have had in my stash for years. I have read a lot of bad things as to why Tamiya ever put their name to these kits as some of them are awful (apparently). I find it quite funny that Tamiya would print on the box "Plastic parts & decals Made in Italy. Other items made in Japan. So only the box and instructions are Tamiya:smiling5:

I have the Douglas A-4E/F Skyhawk in my stash and looking at that compared to Airfix's A4B in 72nd scale which I have used as a test piece for painting there is no comparison Airfix's is a far better kit.

So I'm going to see if what I've read is correct.
After opening the box, I was quite surprised as to how clean and crisp everything looks.

No Flash anywhere. Panel lines look crisp and great details on the cockpit consoles.

Will enjoy detailing them.
So far so good. Lets get building.

[adt70hk]

Good luck with build Steve.

ATB

Andrew

[Swagman 070]

Good luck with build Steve.

ATB

Andrew

Thanks Andrew.

[papa 695]

Nice one Steve, you can't beat a good Tonka. Just pulled up my seat.

[Swagman 070]

Been Looking at pictures online for reference. I found out that F3 squadrons were sent to Saudi Arabia quite soon after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. But cant seem to find any pictures of them in the RAF desert pink. Loads of pictures of the the GR1 available. I was wondering if anyone can advise if they were painted up in that scheme. As id love to do it in the desert scheme. Also as I have a bottle of Alclad War Pigs paint in that colour gathering dust on a shelf.:smiling5:

[Swagman 070]

Build Update.
Well I think I spoke to soon about the kit being how crisp everything looked. On closer inspection a lot of injection pin marks in crucial areas. On the seats had to sand them off and do a little filling and lost the seatbelt detail. So I have nearly finished the cockpit. Have not permanently fixed the seats as I'm going to add some seatbelts and maybe a little scratch building just to add a little something to them. Instrument panels painted (artistic licence with the switch colours).

[Swagman 070]

OOPS don't know what happened there managed to insert a pic and post at the same time. I'm a numpty sometimes. Anyway the cockpit.

And a bit of work up top

That's it for now. Time for a cheeky glass of red.

[Swagman 070]

Early start this morning and have managed to get a load done.
Wheel bays, air intakes, Landing gear and internal side of doors all primed and painted.

Made some seat belts couldn't find any suitable wire for the clasps so they look a out of scale.
Painted the head rest and fitted to cockpit. Added some weight to the nose with air rifle pellets and PVA glue.

And a quick look of what it will look like with both half's together.


That's is for now. Few chores to do round the house and back to it a bit later.
Steve

[boatman]

HI Steve all i know is yes they were painted desert pink as i see the real aircraft up at RAF COLTISHALL all done in that colour with all the bombin sorties painted on the side nr the nose an also the jags but i wasnt allowed to take any pics so i cant help on that but i bet others on here can
chris

[Swagman 070]

HI Steve all i know is yes they were painted desert pink as i see the real aircraft up at RAF COLTISHALL all done in that colour with all the bombin sorties painted on the side nr the nose an also the jags but i wasnt allowed to take any pics so i cant help on that but i bet others on here can
chris

Thanks Chris, I'm going to do it in the desert pink as I like the look of them all dirty and sun worn.
Steve

[stillp]

It'll never pass an MOT with those blisters on the tyre sidewalls.
Great work so far!
Pete

[Swagman 070]

It'll never pass an MOT with those blisters on the tyre sidewalls.
Great work so far!
Pete

\Thanks Pete.

[Swagman 070]

Hi all, its been over a week since my last update and to be honest after a number of fit issues and sanding and re-scribing panel lines (which I hate) I became a bit disheartened and decided to leave it for a bit.
Well my mojo is back and I've cracked on with it. So here is where I'm at. Wheels and undercarriage Painted and given a dirt wash. Airframe primed and mottled (badly), ready for painting.

As I said I'm going to be painting it in the RAF desert pink Alclad MIL-SPEC (not warpigs) as previously stated. Gave it a go on the weapon pylons and it looks good.

Stay safe
Steve