This is the Revell 1/32 Tornado GR.1 kit updated and modified using the excellent conversion and detailing set by Flightpath. I built it to represent the 617 Sqn "Dambusters" 60th anniversary plane which was based at Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, 2003. This unit was the first to operationally use the Storm Shadow stand-off missile, so I had to source these (also from Flightpath, cast in solid resin!!) to complete the model.

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The Flightpath set is a must if you want to build an accurate GR.4. Additions such as FLIR pod, essential cockpit modifications, canopy detailing, and above all the superb jetpipes leave the kit parts standing in terms of quality. It is very photo-etch oriented, so if you are not comfortable on your hands and knees under your model bench looking for dropped tiny canopy details, best think twice! The Paragon flaps and slats set is also beautifully cast and gives much enhancement to the finished model. Finally, I think no 1/32 Tornado looks its best without the Paragon MB.10a ejector seats which are little works of art.

I won't say much about the actual build as most 1/32 modellers will know about the poor fitting problems of the Revell Tornados, I'd best leave it at that! In terms of accuracy, the only problem with the kit is the slightly short rear fuselage and slightly over-sized and incorrectly slanted fin to compensate. Also, as I was using some heavy resin parts (namely the Flightpath Storm Shadow missiles and Paragon flaps and slats) the kit undercarriage does not support the weight of the finished model, so I needed a support strut hidden between the missiles.

The paint was completed in several different shades of enamel and acrylic (White Ensign enamels Barley Grey and Vallejo Model Air Barley Grey) and the weathering kept to a minimum as this was a photo-op aircraft which was not flown operationally but kept as a spares aircraft due to a defect it brought out from England!

As a footnote, I flew with a guy at work who were putting on an exhibition of serving military men's artwork at the Royal Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London in November 2009. These were to be auctioned or sold in aid of Help for Heroes, a charity providing financial and practical help for servicemen wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This moved me to do the same with this model, and I am pleased to say it was very quickly bought by a collector with the entire sale proceeds going to this worthy charity. I would ask that if you liked seeing this model you would be encouraged to do the same at www.helpforheroes.co.uk/donations.html as we approach our national Remembrance Day / Veterans Day on November 11th.

Alan Purusram

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