Tornado GR1

[Donivanp]

OK so who makes the best GR1 in 1/48th. I have the old ESCI 1/48th but as I understand it, it and the Revell are a German/Italian version and the British version is quite different. I also understand there are more then one version of the British ground attack as they were updated over time.

As I know very little of the aircraft any inputs would be interesting. I am interested in a Desert Storm version.

 

[fubar57]

 

[Donivanp]

Tanks Geo great stuff!

 

[rochie]

i have this version, at least you can see the contents

Italeri 2668 Tornado IDS Black Panthers

 

[Airframes]

The old ESCI kit is closer to a pre-production machine as far as a RAF version is concerned.
There are a few options, being mainly Airfix, Hobby Boss and Italeri.
I don't know much about the HB kit, but have heard there are some issues.
The Airfix kit is reasonable overall, but if it's anything like their F3 version, it's a real b*tch to build, with major fit problems around the fuselage joints - see my build somewhere in the modelling threads.
The later Italeri kit, replacing the original ESCI issue, is quite nice, and I have the ;'Desert Storm' issue, although I'll be building it in RAF UK colours.
The basic kit is the same as posted by Karl, but with different decals for Desert Storm, and although I don't think it's still current in this issue, it can be found at some dealers, and on e-bay, quite often, at a relatively low cost. I think i paid around £10 for mine.
Alternatively, after-market decals can be used with one of the issue of the kit.
I'll dig out mine and post pics over the weekend - remind me if I forget !
When you get around to building it, if you need any detail pics, let me know.

 

[Airframes]

Here you go Don.
First two pics show the box art and decals for the kit I have. Decals for German and Italian Air Forces, and RAF Gulf War.There are some of these, pre-owned but certified complete and normally in 'as new' condition at a UK outlet, for £19.99., and they often pop up on e-bay at less cost.
The third pic shows the current issue of the same kit, with different Gulf War decals, and retails at around £27 in the UK - not sure how many decal options are in this issue, but check the reviews and they should give the details.
Apart from the early Italieri and Italeri Tornado kits (ex-ESCI, which are really the pre-production MRCA), all of the current issues of the Italeri Tornado IDS kits are basically the same, and include the relevant parts for the RAF GR1 version, but as far as I know, only those shown below include Gulf War RAF decals.
As far as I know, the Revell IDS/GR1/GR4 kit is the Italeri kit re-boxed., but I haven't confirmed this - again, reviews should show the details.
Note that the Tornado F3 ADV is the 'fighter' version, and is longer than the GR1/GR4/IDS, with the nose and radome being the main length increase, as well as some extra length around the jet exhaust area, so can't be done as a GR1/GR4.

If you decide to go for the Italeri kit, but can't find one, I can get one here and send it over to you.

Hope this helps.

EDIT:- Just checked reviews for the Revell GR4 kit. It's not a re-box of the Italeri kit, but a 'new tool' from 2016, from Revell Germany, and looks to be a very nice kit indeed. General opinion is that it's the best kit in this scale.
Although it's a GR4, the basic shape and external appearance is the same as the GR1, the main difference, on the real aircraft, being the avionics and cockpit layout. Although the kit has decals for two, UK based aircraft, in overall grey scheme, it could be used to portray a Gulf War GR1, using aftermarket decals. Price looks good too, at around £26 in the UK.

 

[Donivanp]

Thanks Terry, I have one in the closet but thought there were differences between the German/Italian and the British version.

 

[Rotaliscia]

There are. Not too radicals, but there are.
Eduard is going to release a Revell IDS rebox, but as a GR.1 RAF Gulf War (Operation Granby). March release.