Another perspective Review by James Vaitkevicius Box and contents One of my favourite aircraft of all time is the Panavia Tornado GR series. An icon of the last 30 years in the RAF, the aircraft has proven to a venerable asset to utilise and is capable of the delivery of a number of weapons from its hardpoints. Although the aircraft is in the twilight of its career, the airframe is still being used in Herrick Operations in Afghanistan and will be until the RAF withdraw in 2015. The aircraft has served a large number of squadrons through the time the RAF have had the GR1/4 in service, sadly these are slowly being withdrawn and at the time of writing this review, five active squadrons are still flying the GR4 variant. In late 2013 the news of the re-release of the RAF variant of this kit set the comments running on a number of internet forums.
Since the original kit had long since disappeared from the shops and the prices for the re-sale of the kit sometimes were reaching a silly price on e-bay, it made a welcome return with only a limited number of these kits being released. I am sure that there will be a number of these kits popping up on the IPMS Display circuit in the next year. So what’s inside? On opening the box it is pretty apparent that this model (not surprisingly) contains a lot of parts, with detail included for parts like the radar/radome assembly, detailed undercarriage and cockpit, and weapons. This includes the much sought after Skyshadow Pod and 2250 litre “Hindenburger” tanks. 2 are also included in the kit to fit in line with the standard RAF fit out in the 1990’s.
In total there are seven grey runners and two clear runners included. The instructions are in the usual Revell standard format with 82 stage sequence to follow inclusive of the decal application. Cockpit The cockpit looks busy enough with two Martin Baker Mk 10 Ejection Seats and includes a separate instrument and side panels. The moulded raised detail is ok and once you paint and weather these they should be acceptable. Decals are included for the Multi Function Displays (MFD’s) although these always look toy like in this scale and I would usually opt to display the model in an idle mode. There is more detail in the real aircraft and so you have some scope to add plenty of smaller items yourself.
The seats have a moulded harness but do not really look convincing and could benefit from an aftermarket seat being used. Due to the vast space that the open canopy yields, I would recommend these to be replaced, the aftermarket companies have plenty of these seats available. Another feature that will require work is the canopy as this is cast with a seam line being integrated with the detonation cord in the middle of the canopy.
Other areas A vast array of weapons is included within the build, catering more for the European Standard including the German air to air refuelling system, jamming pod and “Snakeeye” free fall bombs; the kit also includes GBU2 Paveway bombs and 1000lb retarded bombs, which were in use at the time of this kit’s original release. It does lack the latest weapon technology which is integrated for the GR4 but this can be found in the most recent Eurofighter Typhoon kit or through the aftermarket companies.
Undercarriage sprues The undercarriage legs look fine and they have reasonable detail and benefit from moulded hydraulic lines. A raised lip to the wheel hubs always helps painting and these are included. Depending on the aftermarket parts you are intending to add, the builder might want to buy the SAC (Scale Aircraft Conversions) white metal undercarriage set to give strength to the model, but if you are building out of the box the kit offering should be fine. Decals Three schemes are included within the build focused around the early 1990’s to represent the GR1 era. 31 Squadron (ZG791) – 80th Anniversary Tail Scheme – RAF Bruggen (1995). 617 Squadron (ZA462) – RAF Lossiemouth (1992). ‘Mig Eater’ – RAF Tornado Detachment (ZA447), Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Storm (1991) These decals are a re-release of the original kit, but have been re-printed by Cartograf and look to be perfectly registered and glossy in appearance.
Clear parts The clear parts look clear, very clear in fact with no defects apparent. Summary A welcome return which I am sure will sell out quickly. There is plenty of detail and weapons are aplenty and the model will appeal to the novice as well as the more experienced as detail can be added to areas should they be required. At the RRP of £49.99 the kit also is reasonably priced to build a good quality model out of the box.
I am sure this will be a popular build. Be sure to look out in the future for this build with a few twists in the process including a few extra resin parts and a different scheme!
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is the prime contractor and is responsible for the majority of the airframe, weapon systems and final assembly of the F-22. Program partner Boeing Defense, Space & Security provides the wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems. The aircraft was variously designated F-22 and F/A-22 during the years prior to formally entering USAF service in December 2005 as the F-22A. This is the Testors 1:48th Scale F-22 Raptor Model Kit.
It was boxed in a special edition box and marketed as such with a limited run of 3,500 which I highly doubt. Back in the 80’s with no dedicated hobby shops in Puerto Rico, Testors was a status symbol amongst local modelers.
There was simply no such thing as Hasegawa, Tamiya and other big players available. After a long hiatus from modelling, I still had big expectations with this my first Testors model kit in years. I was really far from reality.
This model kits is very bare in the cockpit and landing gear wells. It is very possible that this kit was developed during the early years of the F-22 Raptor where most of the details were still classified.
Why did Testors chose this kits for its 80th anniversary edition run is still beyond my comprehension. The kit was a bad welcome back to modelling and the Testors brand and being an armor modeller back in the 80’s, I skipped on those 80th anniversary armor kits. The F-22 Raptor model kit simply can not command a $49.99 price tag. I’ve seen better Revell / Monogram kits for $20 or less. No mayor fit problems other than the lack of details.
Not much time at the desk this week but I have been getting along.resin cockpit pretty much together and painted black.needs to be dry brushed and detailed. Unsure if its an improvement on the kit pit or not. No pics of that as yet cause its just a black blob! Also started on the sub assemblies.main and side weapon bays and wheel wells.lotsa white!! Detailing is actually really good.so will probably just highlight and paint what is there. Going together well.loving the Hase kits! Lotsa parts tho.Till next time.
I have the academy one at home. Comparison wise, the hase one looks like an ankylosaurus with all the ram panels sticking up everywhere whereas the acadmey is much more subtle and lifelike. The nose on the hase has a better shape, capturing the beak look better than the academy, which is a bit more bulbous. Apparently though in later moldings, academy fixed the nose somewhat.
Otherwise there isn't much between the 2 kits, although the academy decals are printed by cartograf. Have toyed with building mine every now and then but I always pull it out, look at it for a bit and then put it back in the box. Plus I want to do mine as a Hawaii ANG bird, which is the one markings option that isn't included on the academy decals sheet.
I will follow yours with interest though. CyNaKyL wrote: I have the academy one at home.
Comparison wise, the hase one looks like an ankylosaurus with all the ram panels sticking up everywhere whereas the acadmey is much more subtle and lifelike. The nose on the hase has a better shape, capturing the beak look better than the academy, which is a bit more bulbous. Apparently though in later moldings, academy fixed the nose somewhat. Otherwise there isn't much between the 2 kits, although the academy decals are printed by cartograf.
Have toyed with building mine every now and then but I always pull it out, look at it for a bit and then put it back in the box. Plus I want to do mine as a Hawaii ANG bird, which is the one markings option that isn't included on the academy decals sheet. I will follow yours with interest though.
You are not wrong about the upper details!toying with sanding them back a little.Jealous of the cartograf decals tho! Better options on them too! CyNaKyL wrote: I have the academy one at home. Comparison wise, the hase one looks like an ankylosaurus with all the ram panels sticking up everywhere whereas the acadmey is much more subtle and lifelike. The nose on the hase has a better shape, capturing the beak look better than the academy, which is a bit more bulbous. Apparently though in later moldings, academy fixed the nose somewhat.
Otherwise there isn't much between the 2 kits, although the academy decals are printed by cartograf. Have toyed with building mine every now and then but I always pull it out, look at it for a bit and then put it back in the box. Plus I want to do mine as a Hawaii ANG bird, which is the one markings option that isn't included on the academy decals sheet. I will follow yours with interest though.
Don't forget the undersize vertical stabilisers on the Academy kit. I have both kits and I have a preference for the Hasegawa kit shapewise because of the nose issue on the Academy but like has been mentioned, I wish they hadn't made the RAM covering of the panel lines so prominent. Both kits look like they will build up well. CyNaKyL wrote: Thanks Steve, I forgot about the undersized tails. Nos, if you would like some different markings, I could cut out which ones you want and send them down to you, if you didn't want to use the ones included with the hase kit. I think the academy sheet includes all the numbers to do almost any jet in the fleet bar the HH ones.
I will keep that in mind.to be honest I havn't even thoght about markings yet! I did get the cockpit tub and console detailed last night( not that there is a lot to it!) Will try and get pics up later today. Azza, best way I have seen to replicate the metallic look that some photos show, is to add some citadel boltgun silver into your grey's, can't remember the ratio but it was like 1:10 or a little more. TBH, when I saw them up close and flying at Nellis a couple of years back I didn't really see the metallic look unless the sun hit it at just the right angle, so almost never. Thanks Craig, but I'll prob stick with the kit detail.
80th Anniversary Gift
God knows the mess I would make trying to stick all those panels down, there would be CA everywhere! CyNaKyL wrote: Azza, best way I have seen to replicate the metallic look that some photos show, is to add some citadel boltgun silver into your grey's, can't remember the ratio but it was like 1:10 or a little more. TBH, when I saw them up close and flying at Nellis a couple of years back I didn't really see the metallic look unless the sun hit it at just the right angle, so almost never. Thanks Craig, but I'll prob stick with the kit detail. God knows the mess I would make trying to stick all those panels down, there would be CA everywhere! I saw the same Idea but with Citadel Runefang Steel.Phil Flory did an all over spray with an Alcad but wasn't super impressed with the effect.I also saw some clear blue going into the darker grey too.All things to think about!
Maybe I shoulda picked an easier one for my first big modern jet! Anyways.some more pics.
Price around £49.99 GBP (February 2014) We have TWO reviews for you from different members of SMN’s Review Team – first Dave Coward, followed by one from James Vaitkevicius Review by Dave Coward Our thanks to Revell for supplying our review sample. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or email Initial assessment Revell first released their 1:32nd Tornado in 1985 in the form of a GR1 and a Marinefleiger boxing and this was followed in 1986 by an F2 (RAF interceptor that was the predecessor to the F3 but with the main differences being that the Foxhunter Radar was replaced with a lump of concrete for ballast, Blue Circle, as the radar wasn’t ready in time and they were all twin stick training aircraft).
This initial release was replaced with a new tool version in 1996 which is the basis for this kit. These initial versions were very German orientated with Luftwaffe/Marinefleiger weapons and self-defence kit but in 1998 a dedicated RAF version was released and this is what this re-release effectively is. Incidentally Revell have released several other versions is the meantime including a 2001/2 and 2008/9 Tigermeet ECR variant. Back to this kit the `Limited Edition` I understand means that this kit will be limited to a production run of 2500 units.
Otherwise it seems to be identical to the 1998 RAF boxing. The kit contains 7 grey plastic sprues and 2 clear sprues with a rough parts count of 180 parts (some of these are not required for the RAF version – they are Luftwaffe weapons).
An initial look at the parts shows nicely recessed panel lines and minimal flash – the 1996/8 moulds still appear to be good. Cockpit/ejection seat detail is adequate but if you want to display the canopy open you might want to consider a resin replacement but the box version will build up nicely with some care and some scratch built harnesses. A nice touch is a reasonable representation of the TI GMR/TFR radar system which can be displayed with an open nose cone. Another nice touch is the IFR probe which can also be displayed stowed or extended and the wings can be swept to whatever angle you desire. Be aware though that the wings have the flaps and slats moulded in the up position so if you want these down you will have to hunt for the now quite rare and expensive Paragon resin detail set. Weapons and stores The extra sprue over the earlier release covers all those extras needed for an RAF GR1. Included on it are:.
2 x `Hindenburger` fuel tanks. Hwk software. Sky Shadow ECM pod (the BOZ pod is on the other weapon sprue. 2 x 1000lb Paveway LGBs. 4 x 1000lb retard bombs and.
LRMTs under fuselage pod. There are two major weaknesses with this kit though and they are the intakes and the main undercarriage. The intakes have no trunking so you can see straight into the fuselage void and wing sweep mechanism – you`ll either have to live with this, do some serious scratch building or use intake blanks. The issue regarding the main undercarriage is it is quite fragile and weak especially considering the size and weight of this model. There are metal replacements from SAC or you could just be careful with the kit parts and consider the use of superglue and epoxy to secure them in place. Decals and instructions The kit has three decal options:. Tornado GR1 No 31 Sqn, RAF Bruggen, Germany, 1995 (80th Anniversary tail markings) – wrap around green/grey camouflage.
80th Wedding Anniversary
Tornado GR1 No 617 Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth, 1992 – wrap around green/grey camouflage. Tornado GR1 `MiG Eater` RAF Tornado Det, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Storm, 1991. The decal sheet is very comprehensive and rather large. All printing is in register and the colour saturation looks good. Along with the major markings all stencilling and weapons markings are included. The instructions are typical Revell; they are in the form of a black and white unstapled booklet that is clear and logical but does have some minor misprints (Sidewinder tail fins are shown being fitted backwards!!) so be aware but they are nothing major.
In Summary Even with its issues, this is a very welcome re-release from Revell as these kits were becoming harder and harder to come by and their second hand price was inevitably being driven up. Having built one of the earlier versions and an ECR variant I know it builds well and with a little bit of work (see Relish Resin`s FLIR pod) it can be made into a reasonable GR4. The box decal options are nice covering a `loud` special version, a line bird and a desert war `Tonka` so most tastes will be covered here.
Overall a nice kit that will build into an impressive model and is well within the capabilities of most abilities of modeller so it must come highly recommended. SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5 FEATURE STAR RATING (out of five) Quality of moulding. Accuracy. Instructions. Decals.