Matchbox/Italeri 1/72nd scale Tornado F.3 ADV

Matchbox/Italeri 1/72nd scale Tornado F.3

1. Yes - you read that right. This was a "kit-bash". The wings, tail and various items such as afterburners came from the Italeri 1/72nd scale Tornado Gr.1 kit whilst the rest came from the Matchbox kit. This was at a time when this aircraft was first entering service and, to their credit Matchbox rushed out the kit. However, most Matchbox kits are rubbish but I just had to have an F.3 in my collection. What to do?


2. I studied the problem and realised I only really needed the Matchbox fuselage. Hence I used Italeri for the rest.	3. The Italeri kit was cheap and had nice engraved panel lines. Unlike the Matchbox kit as can be seen here.	4. These photo's clearly show how much filler was required on the Matchbox parts - it really was little more than a toy.	5. I tried to fill some panel lines. You can see the Italeri afterburner cans here and the scratch-built tail fillet.

6. So, after some work I had my F.3. Sadly it never quite lived up to expectations. Although correct in profile from above or below, it looks wrong from the side. There is a problem around the cockpit glazing.	7. The nose undercarriage is over scale but too short.	8. However, it was fun...

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