Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Panavia Tornado GR.4 – ZA542, No. 31 Squadron, RAF, Gioia del Colle Air Base, Italy, 2011, "Operation Ellamy"

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


Limited production of approximately 1000 models

The 2011 UN Security Council Resolution 1973 was designed to protect Libyan citizens during the civil war that broke out to replace Muammar Gaddafi as president. In response NATO allies began to enforce a no-fly zone designated Operation Unified Protector. Participants were from the U.S., Canada, France and the UK who called their participation “Operation Ellamy”. Tornado GR.4s from RAF Marham were equipped with Brimstone missiles and Paveway IV bombs. One aircraft from No. 31 Squadron “Gold Stars” flying from Gioia del Colle AB Italy was ZA542/035 delivered to the RAF in 1982.

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-assembled, die-cast display models. Every model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft or vehicle. They are made with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Tornado IDS features: