Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Panavia Tornado GR1 – ZA447/EA, No. 15 Squadron, RAF, Tabuk Air Base, Saudi Arabia, 1991, "Operation Granby"

1:72 Scale.  Length: 9.2".  Wingspan (25 degree sweep): 7.6"


Limited production of approximately 1,000 models

The British participation in the Gulf War was called “Operation Granby” with No. 15 Squadron based at Tabuk AB in Saudi Arabia. One No. 15 Tornado GR.1 was ZA447/EA that was painted a desert pink scheme and flew 40 combat missions making it one of the busiest Tornados. On one airfield denial mission over Iraq ZA447/EA destroyed what was thought to be a MiG-29 so the aircraft was given nose art “Mig Eater”. Later it was discovered that it was actually a Mirage F.1. RAF Tornados flew a total of 2,500 sorties.

The Panavia Tornado was a joint project between the UK, West Germany and Italy to produce a two-seat, dual-engine aircraft with variable-sweep wings. The Tornado took its maiden flight on August 14, 1974 with the first aircraft delivered to the German Air Force on July 27, 1979. The variants of the Tornado are: IDS (interdictor/strike), ECR (electronic combat / reconnaissance) and ADV (air defense variant) interceptor. By the end of production in 1998 there had been 992 aircraft of all versions built of which 745 were IDS variants.

Hobby Master is a manufacturer of high quality, pre-built, diecast models. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft or vehicle. They are made with die-cast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Tornado GR.1 features: