Format

Author: Krzysztof Barcz
Softback - 36 pages 118 photographs
English text with English and Polish photo captions
Includes 1/48 and 1/72 canopy paint masks

Content

The book starts with a brief, but informative, history of the Tornado. Then follows a set of photographs of Tornados in various colour schemes, including some very colourful German examples. Then the book concentrates on close up photographs of the Tornado.

The book is methodical in its approach to these close up photos. It starts with the front of the aircraft showing the cockpit area. It then shows access panels open in this area before moving to the cockpit interior. There are numerous photos of the pilot's and navigator's cockpit, with the instrument panels and consoles clearly shown from all angles. Then there photographs of a Martin Baker Mk 10 ejector seat.

Next the book shows the external areas of the engine intakes and wings, followed by close ups of the landing gear and gear bays. The amount of detail in these photos is excellent. Then there are photos of the access panels along the fuselage in this area followed by photos of the tail and engines. The final group of pictures show the external stores hardpoints with different stores and weapons fitted.

Conclusions

Clearly aimed at the modeller, this book shows an immense amount of detail on the Tornado IDS. The photographs are clear and brightly lit and laid out in a methodical way. Although some of the photos have captions I would have liked a bit more information, especially on the first set of photos showing colour schemes. It would have been nice if there had been notes on which squadrons these aircraft were from, if for no other reason than to help find if decals of these aircraft are available. Other than that, if anyone is looking for a good reference for detailing a model of the Tornado then this is the book to buy.

Thank you to MMD-Squadron for kindly supplying the review sample.