Tornado IDS
Black Panthers special colour scheme of the Italian Air Force

Italeri, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Italeri's 1/48 scale Tornado IDS will be available online from Squadron.com

The re-release of the Italeri 1/48 scale Tornado IDS is a welcome return of a nicely detailed kit with a beautiful set of decals depicting the 2007 Black Panthers special colour scheme of the Aeronautical Militare Italiania 50 Stormo, 155 Gruppo based at San Damiano, Piacenza, Italy.  There are 146 light grey injection moulded plastic parts and 10 clear parts in the kit, and a large decal sheet covering 5 different schemes.

When this kit was first released many years ago it had some nice detail and Italeri moulds are holding their age well - the detail remains crisply moulded.  The surface detail is engraved and still quite good by today’s standard.  On the down side there are a few accuracy problems and sparse detail but there are some nice resin detail sets to make this a great model when complete.  I do not have accurate scale plans of the Tornado so I cannot make too many comments on the accuracy of the dimensions.

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A reasonably detailed cockpit interior is provided and this can be easily updated by the extensively detailed Neomega cockpit detail set.  The ejection seats lack accurate detail and really need to be replaced by accurate Martin Baker MK 10 ejection seats which of course are supplied in the Neomega set.  The wheel wells contain the main structure detail but lack the finer details of hydraulic piping and electrical cables.  The Speed brake bays are very inaccurate and lack the depth of the real aircraft.  One of my pet hates the wings come as movable swing wings with provision being made for the wing pylons to be pivoting which sets the kit up for some fit and accuracy problems.  If the wings are displayed in the open position a gaping hole is visible where the inflatable fuselage seals are positioned.  There are a few detail sets produced by Paragon to enhance and correct some of the deficiencies.  The first is an accurate ECS intake to replace the inaccurate one in the leading edge of the fin.  The second is a lowered flap set and this incorporates a resin section to fill the inflatable seal area.  Next is an engine nozzle replacement which includes the thrust reverser bucket mechanism.  Wing pylons and the Boz 107 and Skyshadow pods make up the remainder of the parts.

The transparencies are moulded crystal clear with the miniature detonating cord being moulded as raised detail in the main canopy.

The fit of the Tornado kit presents no major problems, but from my recent build of this kit experience tells me that some filler was required on the fuselage seams and nose areas.

Options are provided for a deployed refuel probe, open or closed canopy and open or closed cockpit canopy.

Two of the smaller style of underwing drop tank is provided in the kit and these are the type used by the Italians and the Luftwaffe.  Four standard iron bombs are included as well as two each of the Boz107 and Sky Shadow pods.  Finally 2 sidewinder missiles are provided to be attached to the inner wing pylons.

Decals are provided for four aircraft as follows:

1. Tornado IDS of No 31 Sqn RAF based at Bruggen air base Germany in 1991.  This aircraft was finished in overall Medium Sea Grey.

2. Tornado IDS of No 9 Sqn RAF based at Bruggen air base Germany in 1985.  This aircraft was finished in the typical overall Medium Sea Grey and Dark Green wrap around camouflage scheme and has a white vertical tail fin.

3. Tornado IDS of the Luftwaffe, JaBo G 33 based at Buchel, Germany in 2007.  This aircraft was finished in the Medium Grey upper surfaces and Light Grey Under Surfaces .

4. Tornado IDS of the Aeronautical Militare Italiania 50 Stormo, 155 Gruppo based at San Damiano, Piacenza, Italy in 2007.  This aircraft was finished in overall light grey with a black panther head painted across the spine.  Two claws are painted on the forward fuselage side and a large diamond in painted on the tail.  The decals provided for this marking is superb and captures the air brush techniques excellently.

The decals are crisp, accurate in colour and in register.  My previous experience with Italeri decals is they have been a bit stiff and have not conformed well to the surface detail, but these look very good.

Recommended for all modellers of average skill and experience.

Thanks to Italeri for the review sample

Review Copyright © 2008 by Mick Evans
This Page Created on 26 June, 2008
Last updated 26 June, 2008

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