Anyone built the Airfix Tornado F3.

[chrisonord]

I recently purchased said kit, in 1/72nd scale to make into a fleet air arm variant. I had a proper look at the part on the kit last night, and it needs a lot of cleaning up, and the landing gear, especially the rears are a joke. Has anyone else built one of these at all? Any heads up on problems and  stuff to look out for. My mojo is running very thin at the moment, especially after putting a lot of work into a PM Nesher to make it look a bit more detailed, and the canopy just imploded. It very nearly got bounced off the wall, as I have spent too much time on it. Hence me wanting to be prepared for this thing.
Cheers
Chris.

[McColm]

Yes the undercarriage needs some attention and so does the rear end as you might have problems with fitting the engines, a bit of scrapping and sanding is required. SAC does supply the white metal landing gear.

[chrisonord]

Yes the undercarriage needs some attention and so does the rear end as you might have problems with fitting the engines, a bit of scrapping and sanding is required. SAC does supply the white metal landing gear.

Cheers, I have seen white metal gear sets, but not for the airfix kit. The look like the attach completely different.

[PR19_Kit]

I looked at one before I started my F6 variant, and decided to go with the Italeri one...................

[chrisonord]

I looked at one before I started my F6 variant, and decided to go with the Italeri one...................

I looked at that one but the price difference made me go for this one. Now I know why nobody else bid on it.

[kerick]

Sounds like a wheels up build. 

[Gondor]

I have the Airfix GR.4 version so avoided the F.3 and went for Hasagawa kits, the Italeri one is quite good too.

[chrisonord]

I think I shall have a look at the Italeri one next month if I can find one for right money. I think I will have a go at building this one in the meantime, and hopefully, I can use the landing gears on it as I don't do wheels up builds.
Cheers

[Charlie_c67]

There's a reason I've gone for the Dragon 1/144 Tornado F.3's. Unfortunately you've found it the hard way 

[The Wooksta!]

The Airfix GR4 is a warmed over MRCA kit with two new sprues for the Storm Shadows and paveways.  I bought several around 2004 for said sprues to arm several TSR2s.  The new sprues were a bit Meh, the Tornadoes were even worse.
Never bought the F3 but I'd suspect it's based on the same MRCA kit.  Still, it could be the Matchbox one who's is really crap.

[chrisonord]

The Airfix GR4 is a warmed over MRCA kit with two new sprues for the Storm Shadows and paveways.  I bought several around 2004 for said sprues to arm several TSR2s.  The new sprues were a bit Meh, the Tornadoes were even worse.
Never bought the F3 but I'd suspect it's based on the same MRCA kit.  Still, it could be the Matchbox one who's is really crap.

I have started work on this thing, and I see lots of putty and sanding in its future. The cockpit is barren so will just get the black paint on everything job. The raised panel lines are all going to get sanded off, and not be redone, as to me there is no point as you don@t see them in real life unless you are sat on the aircraft, and I am crap at it. The missiles are drell, so spares box to the rescue, as I will only be using 1 pair of sidewinders on it. I have the remains of the airfix GR1 that I bought part started to use for something else, but that is just going to donate parts to other stuff, and the drop tanks and outer pylons will go on the F3. going off what I can see and peoples thoughts, what the hell were airfix thinking when they released this thing? The Hindenburg drop tanks look usefull though, as long as they go together ok that is. my main concern is the rear landing gear, if I knew the aftermarket one would fit I would get some for it, we shall see.

[Pellson]

I looked at one before I started my F6 variant, and decided to go with the Italeri one...................

I did exactly the same. Mind you, I did source Airfix No 5 sqn decals for my build.. 

[Nick]

The Airfix Tornado F.3 was released in 1989.
I have one in the stash to be used for parts for the basic Pegasus EAP kit. I am told this is the best use for it 

[chrisonord]

The Airfix Tornado F.3 was released in 1989.
I have one in the stash to be used for parts for the basic Pegasus EAP kit. I am told this is the best use for it 

Is that a close second to putting it in the bin??

[PR19_Kit]

The fuselage could be used as a good door stop when it's assembled?