‘TONKA’ RESIN: SCALE MODEL PARTS’ TORNADO COCKPIT AND ENGINES

The online Tornado accessories specialist has released a GR.1 powerplant set and a late-service GR.4 cockpit.

‘TONKA’ RESIN: SCALE MODEL PARTS’ TORNADO COCKPIT AND ENGINES

The advent of 3D printing seems to be revolutionising the aftermarket for modellers. It’s obviously been embraced wholeheartedly by relatively new concern Scale Model Parts (SMP), which already has a respectable array of accessories for Tornados in 1/48 and 1/72 scales.

The latter scale has been employed for Scale Model Parts’ newest items. The first is a complete GR.4 cockpit (above), suitable for late-service aircraft right up to retirement. This is due to the inclusion of the TACAS 2 (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System) gear. You get a main cockpit tub, full-length side consoles for both pilot and navigator, and the pilot’s instrument panel printed integrally with the coaming and head-up display (you just need to cut a piece of acetate to replicate the glass for this). The rear instrument panel is printed in two parts – the upper includes the TARDIS and TV tabs, while the lower has the updated instrument panel. And the detail, quite frankly, is jaw-dropping. This costs £10 and is designed to fit the Revell GR.1 in conversion to GR.4.

‘TONKA’ RESIN: SCALE MODEL PARTS’ TORNADO COCKPIT AND ENGINES


Read about Revell's 1/72 German Tornado ASSTA 3.1 kit


Meanwhile, the RB199 engine set (above) is to replicate the rear portions of the powerplants for the GR.1. Said engines are printed with firewalls in situ and have updated oil pumps. Separate drop-down doors for the rear fuselage underside are provided too. The front firewall is printed slightly larger than necessary, and should be filed/sanded to fit Revell, Hasegawa or Airfix Tornados as necessary. The detail here, too, is stunning and will add a whole other dimension to your Tornado build project. This item costs £12.

Both items are firmly for the experienced modeller equipped with the requisite skills. Scale Model Parts are available from via the dedicated Facebook page, Tornado Scale Model Parts.