Xtradecal 1/48 RAF Tornados 2004-2006
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For those interested in RAF Tornados in 1/48, this is a must-have decal
sheet. No less than nine aircraft are presented here, four GR.4s and five
F.3s. Camouflages and colors are quite varied in this collection, too,
so there is bound to be something for everyone here.
Starting with the GR.4s, the first is ZD709/FA of No. 31 Squadron, RAF
Marham. This aircraft is finished in overall Medium Sea Grey. Squadron
markings are on the tail and fuselage, a star and green and yellow checks
respectively. Countering this rather sedate Tornado is the second GR.4,
this being ZA585 from No. 9 Squadron, RAF Marham. This aircraft is the
90th Anniversary aircraft and is finished in overall Dark Sea Grey. Anniversary
markings include green/yellow/green bands running along the upper fuselage
spine and up the tail, an oversized squadron badge on the tail, and the
dates 1914 and 2004 on the tail.
 Moving
to No. 41 Squadron, the next aircraft is a Tornado GR.4A, ZD739, camouflaged
in Dark Sea Grey over Dark Camouflage Grey. This plane carries the standard
41 Squadron markings, including the white/red/white bands on the tail
tip. The final Tornado GR.4A, ZA469, is from No. 15(R) Squadron. Carrying
the code TM on the tailfin, this plane also carries the classic Roman
XV for 15 Squadron on the tail and a “Spirit of Speyside”
ribbon on the nose. The plane is camouflaged in Dark Sea Grey over Dark
Camouflage Grey.
Switching to the interceptors, the first is a Tornado F.3, ZG757, of
No. 43 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in February 2004. Finished in Camouflage
Grey and Light Aircraft Grey, this aircraft has the squadron rooster on
the tail and black and white checks at the fin tip. This aircraft is repeated,
but later in life, this time March of 2006. The tail code has changed
from WM to GN, and the camouflage changed to overall Medium Sea Grey.
The tail checks are larger, and slightly swept back, while the rooster
is still present. The last basic F.3 is ZE342/FG of No. 25 Squadron out
of RAF Leeming in March of 2006. Like the previous aircraft, this one
is finished in overall Medium Sea Grey. Its tail band is simple, being
black outlined light gray, and the squadron emblem is on the tail.
Next are the F.3s. The first is ZE887/XI of No. 11 Squadron, RAF Leeming,
in late 2005. It is finished in Camouflage Grey and Light Aircraft Grey,
and carries No. 11 Squadron’s eagles on the tail. The spine and
tail are painted black. At the fin tip are the words “90 Years 1915-2005”
in yellow. Next is ZE785, and is shown in two different iterations. Chronologically,
the first one is from 2004, when the aircraft was part of the FJWOEU (Fast
Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit). Finished in overall Camouflage
Grey, this plane has an overall red fin, with the FJWOEU tri-winged dagger
on the tail. In April of 2006, this aircraft was turned over to No. 41
Squadron, which is the other option presented. This includes the standard
41 Squadron markings, along with a grayed out FJWOEU emblem on the tail.
As is expected from the Xtradecal line, these are beautifully printed
with great detail and perfect registration. If Tornados are your cup of
tea, this sheet will keep you happy for quite a while. My thanks to Hannant’s
for the review sample. |
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