ITALERI 1:48 TORNADO IDS

Reviewer: Derrick Winters  (rec.models.scale)

A veteran of combat over Iraq, the Tornado is arguably Western Europe's most important strike attack aircraft.  The Tornado features variable geometry wings, and a radar with terrain following and ground mapping and a laser rangefinder usually positioned in an undernose pod (can bee seen in the above picture).  The Tornado IDS variant in GR.Mk 1 form for the UK and Italian version played a major part in attacking ground targets in the Gulf War.

Italeri have a reputation for manufacturing some nice kits and yet on the otherhand manufacturing kits which can only be described as "rushed onto the market and beat everyone else at all cost" examples.  This one, unfortunately, fits into the latter category and looks as if it was out soon after Desert Storm commenced (let alone concluded!).  In the box, the kit certainly emanates that crisp quality looking Italeri feel, finely raised panel lines with etched aircraft lines and reasonable amount of detail, but it's not until you start construction that flaws are encountered.

Detail in the cockpit is pretty sparse with only the minimum instrument panel, seat and control stick supplied for both pilot and navigator/weapons system officer.  Given that the canopy is large and crystal clear, whether or not you have it open you are still going to be able to see quite a bit in the cockpit.  I did quite a bit of scratchbuilding to get the cockpit detail up to scratch, so to speak, and was disappointed that an aftermarket detail set couldn't be found to save me the work (one might have been available but a number of trips to hobby shops and scrutiny of various catalogues turned up nothing).

Further problems were encountered when you attempt to join the fuselage halves together (don't forget the nose weight). The fit is terrible with the inserting components smaller than the allocated space requiring a generous amount of putty and sanding, which of course all but removes the raised panel line details!   The wings and front intake sections were also subject to fitting problems and more putty/sanding while the tail fin is not the right shape.  It's too broad and not angled correctly toward the fuselage to represent a true and distinctive Tornado tail fin.  Any Tornado buff is likely to notice something amiss when they set their eyes on it.  Replace the fin from another source if you can.  The fin was also difficult to fit and the underwing stores, especially the radar warning pods, were not much better either.

Colour options are provided for three aircraft - RAF and Italian Desert Storm versions and a German JBG 34 regimental version.  Paint references are shown from the Model Master range with approximate names and FS numbers given where possible.  Decals are not up to standard but will do the job sufficiently so long as you take care with them - they tend to curl and are prone to disintegrate.  I chose the RAF Desert Storm GR.Mk 1 version.

In finished form the kit actually looks nice (apart from the tailfin) and replicates the Tornado rather well but this is only because I put all that extra time and effort into it.  Considering this, the extra work required (sanding, frustrating fitting, scratchbuilding the cockpit, etc) and the destruction of many of the panel lines through puttying and sanding, really says that this kit is not up to standard.  Only experienced modellers should give it a go and even then I would only recommend it if it was picked up cheaply!  Overall, I would not give this kit my endorsement and would suggest that you look elsewhere for a Tornado version to convert into Desert Storm colours if that's your desire.

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