1:48 Scale Model Kit: PANAVIA Tornado Long-Range Fighter Jet by ADV Hobby Boss 80355

The origins of the “Tornado” design date back to 1968. It was then that the tri-national PANAVIA consortium was formed to carry out the project known as the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft). On September 14, 1974, the first prototype took flight, and construction began on the first 640 aircraft ordered; production was divided such that Germany and the United Kingdom each accounted for 42.5%, and Italy 15% of the order. The Tornado fleet is currently the most important component of the air forces of these three European NATO countries. They remain in service with the air forces of the United Kingdom (Royal Air Force), Italy (Aeronautica Militare Italiana), and Germany (Luftwaffe), as well as with the German Navy’s aviation branch (Marinefliege). In addition, in 1986, a number of these aircraft were ordered by Saudi Arabia and incorporated into its armed forces (the Royal Saudi Air Force). There are three main versions of the aircraft: the Tornado ECR, the Tornado ADV, and the Tornado IDS. The Tornado ECR is a German-Italian reconnaissance version capable of carrying Raytheon AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles. In addition, they carry AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles for self-defense. The Tornado ADV is an interceptor variant equipped with the excellent Marconi-Ferranti Foxhunter radar, which has a range of up to 190 km and is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 20 targets. The Tornado IDS, on the other hand, is a ground-attack bomber designed primarily to support ground forces.