1/144 Academy Panavia Tornado

The Panavia Tornado by Academy in 1/144 is a simple kit, but comes together to form quite an enjoyable build!

I bought this kit for a cheap £4 while on vacation in the UK, and it was definitely a good choice! Unlike some other kits, this one has pretty nice fittings, a small number of steps due to its size, and clear instructions.

Unlike a lot of other plane kits, the fuselage is in 2 vertical halves, which is due to the moving wing mechanism.

The colorschemes for this kit are a bit limited by the version you get though. The Academy kit I bought comes with the decals for MiG Eater in desert camo, though you can get it it in RAF, Luftwaffe, and Aeronautica Militare(Italian) colors in the Revell Boxing

One of the odder parts about this kit is the landing gear. The front gear covers come molded as one piece, and you’ll have to cut it up to display this jet with landing gear down.

It built well, and I decided to go for a heavily damaged look to test my weathering skills.

I started with a coat of blackwash, and then did a bit of light sanding here and there to highlight certain areas. I then put on some aluminum paint in places of severe wear and damage.

I think I went a little bit too hard though- this jet is certainly not going anywhere after this damage!

Overall, I think this kit came out great, and its a nice, simple build, perfect for an uninterrupted weekend.