1:32 Panvia Tornado ECR undercarriage

The real subject

The Panavia Tornado is a two-seat combat aircraft with a variable-geometry wing that came about in cooperation between several European states. The ECR version is derived from the strike variant and is adapted for locating and suppressing ground air defense systems. In the large 1:32 scale even details that in smaller scales are only suggested on the surface are visible on a model, and the landing gear is first among them.

What the set solves

The set brings photo-etched metal parts for the landing gear area. Photo-etch comes into its own here on thin sheet metal covers, stiffeners and small elements that are inevitably thicker in plastic than they should be. Which particular parts the set replaces and in what order they are seated is described in the instructions enclosed with the set.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard surface, not with nippers, otherwise the edge will bend. Make the folds over a sharp edge or in a photo-etch bender in one movement, as repeated bending will crack the metal. Degrease the surfaces before gluing; metal holds best with cyanoacrylate glue. Apply a thin coat of base color before the covering paint, otherwise the paint will peel off the metal. It is practical to finish and paint the gear bays and the legs before you seat them in the model.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers with experience of photo-etch who build the Tornado at a large scale and want the landing gear to be on a par with the rest of the model. The kit of the aircraft, paints, glue and tools are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.