ZG778 H-Hope 1435Flt, RAF Mount Pleasant, Falklands Islands mid-2009 – based on the 1:72 Hasegawa Tornado F3 with a few extras.

Although the Hasegawa F3 in my mind is the best 1:72 F3 it does need a few tweaks to update to a more realistic later spec.

I added the following

• 2x Aires MB10A ejector seats.
• Outer rails on the underwing pylons (the kit only comes with the inners).
• AIM-9 replaced with ASRAAM.
• External chaff/flair dispensers added (Air-Graphics Op.Granby ones tweaked slightly).
• Replaced inner stbd rail with a BOL rail (not 100% accurate but borrowed from a Harrier kit).
• Pitot tube replaced with a brass one.
• Rounded off the tail profile as the Hasegawa is far to square at the front.
• Airwaves dropped flap and slat wings.
• Airwaves photo-etch kit (For Italeri) used to update the rear cockpit (kit has a GR1 rear panel!), side pitots and canopy interior and mirrors.

Painted with Hataka Orange Line lacquer paints and shown on a Coastal Kits Display Bases sqn logo base.