1:72 Panavia Tornado Update 1989

An addition to the markings of the Panavia Tornado, 1:72 scale

An update sheet of the kind Xtradecal issued for British aircraft as a whole series. The designation in the name refers to the year the accessory relates to. In practice it means printed markings for models of the Tornado in 1:72 scale, to add to what you have in a kit.

A European machine with a swing wing

The Tornado is the result of cooperation between Great Britain, what was then West Germany and Italy. A single basis was to be developed for several roles, and that is why the aircraft received a wing with variable sweep: spread for take-off and slow flight, folded back for a fast run at low level. Power came from a pair of RB199 turbofans with thrust reversers, which shortened the landing run. Two main families arose, a strike one for precise attacks on ground targets and for reconnaissance and a fighter one for air defense over the sea, with a lengthened fuselage and a long-range radar. In all three countries the Tornado formed the core of combat aviation for decades.

Advice for 1:72 scale

• In this scale the markings are small, so work with tweezers and a wetted brush.
• Finish and fix the swing wing before any marking runs across it.
• Small elements fold over easily, so leave them in the water only until the film releases.
• A final matte varnish will even out the differences between the printing and the finish of the fuselage.

Suitable for collectors of European combat aviation and for modelers extending their collection of Tornados with further machines.