1:32 Tornado ECR - interior 3D decals for Italeri kit

The Tornado ECR and its task over the battlefield

The abbreviation ECR covers electronic combat and reconnaissance. The Luftwaffe acquired this form of the Panavia Tornado for suppressing the opponent's air defenses: the machine carries equipment which seeks out emitting radars, and anti-radar missiles against them. The gun armament had to give way to the electronics, but in return the crew identifies the position of an emitting source before the aircraft can get near it. Similarly equipped examples were operated by the Italian Air Force as well, and both users deployed them over the Balkans. The cockpit of such a special is more densely occupied with displays and controls than that of the classic bomber version, which at a large scale makes it a rewarding sight.

What is inside the package

You get three-dimensional decals for the interior. This is not a flat print: the panels have a layered construction, so the instrument panels, side consoles and bezels stand above the base and cast a shadow of their own once applied. The colors and lettering are printed straight on, so painting the small dials with a brush is done away with. The shapes are derived from the dimensions of the cockpit of the Italeri kit, so the pieces will seat without shortening and without sanding the edges down.

A procedure worth following

Level the surface under the decal and clear it of grease. Release the film in lukewarm water, slide it into place and draw the excess water off with a cloth; do not press on the relief while doing so, so the layers do not collapse. Once dry, the whole can be unified with a matte varnish, which subdues the sheen of the base and hides the joins. The kit itself, paints and glue are not part of the delivery.