This kit provides aircraft and markings for two Tornado F.3s, in markings for 111 Squadron’s 90th anniversary, 1917 – 2007.

The Aircraft

The Tornado F.3 is called the ADV by the other operators of the type: Italy and the Royal Saudi AF. It has 80% parts commonality with the attack/recce versions of the Tornado. For the RAF the mission is long endurance combat air patrol.

111 Squadron has flown Bristol Scouts, F.2Bs, S.E.5s, Nieuport 17s, 23s and 24s, Snipes, Siskins, Bulldogs Gauntlets, Hurricanes, Spitfires 1, 2, 5, and 9, Meteors, Hunters, Lightings, Phantoms, and Tornados. They are scheduled to transition to the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2010.

This book covers the navalized Bf-109 variant; the Bf-109T or “Toni” as it was called by her pilots. There are three main chapters which cover everything from design through its combat history. There are not many books covering the 109T (long out of print ‘Sea Eagles’ is the only one that comes to mind) so this is a most welcome addition.

The need for the Bf-109T was linked hand in hand with the building of Nazi Germany’s only aircraft carrier; the “Graf Zeppelin”! This ship had many trials and tribulations during its build and these only further muddied the 109T’s development.

A Brief History

When first produced, the Vickers-Armstrong “6 ton” light tank could not find acceptance with the British Army because the 2 small turrets on the tank were fitted with machine guns only. The tank was later modified into the “B” version that had a 47mm gun and the turret was moved to the right side due to traffic in England being left-sided.

The Model

Upon opening the kit box, there are 12 sprue trees in a bag, some vinyl treads and a small decal sheet. The smaller parts trees are lettered with numbered parts. The largest tree is not lettered but the parts are numbered. There is no parts layout diagram. Marking options are for a Mk. F and B version in Bulgarian Army colors, 1938, in what looks like Panzer gray or a Mk. F version for a British Army training unit, 1939, in a dark earth color. There appears to be no decals for the British version but turret decals are provided for the Bulgarian version.