Panavia Tornado Colours and Markings
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Authors: Michal Ovcacik & Karel Susa
Publisher: Mark I Ltd
ISBN: 978-80-86637-32-7
Binding: Softcover (plus decal sheet)
Pages: 28
Available in 1/144, 1/72, & 1/48
The Panavia Tornado is an interesting aircraft as it is the production of an impressive international coalition between Germany, England, and Italy. Designed originally to the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) description, the aircraft was aimed to fulfill a variety of roles, including close air support, naval strike, and reconnaissance. The production eventually separated into two variants, the IDS (Interdictor Strike) and ADV (Air Defense Variant). Nearly 1,000 Tornado aircraft were built until production ended in 1998, and roughly half remain in service today.
This title in the 4+ Dozen Set provides some great marking options for the Panavia Tornado. The options are split between all the operators, with four options for the Royal Air Force, three options for the Luftwaffe, one for the Marineflieger, three for the Italian Air Force, and one for the Royal Saudi Air Force. The options range from standard operational examples to very colorful special schemes.
For the Royal Air Force options, the first example is an overall gray GR.1 from XV Squadron, with a large sword and XV on the tail. The second option is a GR.1 finished in the wraparound green and gray camouflage and is from IX (B) Squadron. Third up is a GR.4 from the Tornado Engineering Flight, painted overall medium gray. This plane features a colorful 40th Anniversary marking on the tail. The final RAF example is an F.3 from 1435 Flight based in the Falklands, finished in the standard two shades of gray.
For the German examples, first up is a very colorful IDS from WTD 61. It is finished in overall yellow, with German flag colors on the tail & wings, and equations written on the fuselage. Next is an IDS (Recce) from AG 51, camouflaged in the black-gray, forest green, and olive green scheme. Following that is another colorful example, this time an IDS (ECR) from JBG 32. This plane has two shades of gray on the upper side and a lighter shade on the lower, with the entire vertical fin finished in tiger stripes. The final German example is an IDS from MFG 1 and is finished in the standard Marineflieger camouflage of basalt gray over white.
The first Italian option is an IDS from 156 Squadron, 36 Wing and is finished in standard early 1990s Italian camouflage of dark green and dark gray over aluminum. The second choice is an IDS (ECR) finished in the now-standard overall gray scheme, with special anniversary markings on the tail and a sharkmouth on the nose. The final Italian option is an ADV from 12 Squadron, 36 Wing and is finished in the standard RAF camouflage of Camouflage Grey and Light Aircraft Gray. Finally, the sole Saudi option is a standard IDS from 75 Squadron, 11 Wing from 2007 and is finished in a wraparound scheme of dark green, dark earth and light stone.
The decals are very nicely printed, and the details provided in the book should give more than enough information for accurate decal placement. The subjects are interesting, and for those interested in the Tornado, this is a great book to get. My thanks to 4+ Publications for the review copy.