The Royal Air Force (RAF) is one of the most famous air forces, and with good reason, as it is the world’s oldest independent air force. The RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 during WWI, when the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Navy Air Service amalgamated. Perhaps the most famous exploits of the RAF occurred during WWII, when fighters dueled with the Luftwaffe in the desperate Battle of Britain, and heavy bombers rained munitions down on Germany. Even today the RAF is the largest air force in the European Union. The year 2008 was an important one for the RAF, as the service celebrated its 90th anniversary. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, some Tornado F3 fighters were given new liveries. This interesting marking scheme is recreated in Dragon’s latest offering of two such 1/144 scale plastic kits of Tornados.

The Tornado F3 is an improved version of the Tornado, distinguished by a pair of new Turbo-Union RB.199-34R Mk 104 engines that are optimized for high-altitude flight. The Tornado F3 also has upgraded avionics, automatic wing sweep control, and increased AIM-9 Sidewinder capacity (four can be carried under its wings). The Tornado F3 has participated in the 1991 Gulf War, as well as the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It is due to retire from RAF service in 2011 as it’s progressively replaced by the new Eurofighter Typhoon. Dragon’s set includes two complete Tornado F3 models, each of which is finely detailed and carefully engineered. Cartograf has produced beautifully refined decals that accurately depict the RAF’s 90th anniversary markings. With this set, modelers and model aircraft collectors can celebrate the world’s oldest air force with a pair of interceptors that have served well for more than 20 years!