To summarize the instructions, the ECR was developed from the IDS for electronic warfare and reconnaissance operations during the mind 1980s. The reconnaissance feature was later dropped. It was equipped with an Emitter Locator System, the standard BOZ 101 chaff/flare pod and a Cerberus C III ECM pod. It is also capable of firing the US-made AGM-88 HARM missile. All of this makes it a very capable SEAD aircraft. During the Bosnian crisis, 8 aircraft were deployed to Italy and flew missions over the Balkans. In 1996, JBG 32 displayed this aircraft at Tiger Meet 1996 in Lechfeld.

Given the striking box top, I’m surprised that there are so few reviews of this kit. This is a completely new mold and is as good as anything coming from Asia. There are 155 pieces in 5 light grey sprues and 1 clear sprue. The 4 major pieces are identical for all Revell Tornado kits and the ECR kit has a single small sprue which contains the HARM missiles, the ELS sensor pod, and a different set of instrument panels. I had already started construction so I used the sprues from a regular IDS kit and included the specific sprue for the ECR version.

The seats are 4 pieces each, the instrument panels are raised, and the panel lines are recessed. It also has a good amount of very tiny recessed rivet detail. Some people don’t like it, but looking at British Tornados in Desert Storm, all that detail is visible. In a grey scheme, however, it’s really a tossup. The main wings will swing and the tailplane is engineered so that it can pivot, but it looks very fragile so gluing it in place might be a better idea. The pylons are engineered so that they can rotate, so you don’t have to glue them in place for either a fully swept posture or fully extended wing. There are no pilot figures. Just like the cockpit, the landing gears are very intricately molded. The tires are pre-flattened. There is a full equipment suite with HARMs, Sidewinders, and jamming pods. Oddly enough, the fuel tanks have raised panel lines. Very petite, but raised nonetheless.

The decals are probably the first thing to be noticed upon opening the box. They are huge. Most of it is taken up by the tiger stripes. There are also a good number of stencils. There’s are cockpit decals for those who don’t like to paint the instruments on. The instruction sheet clearly shows where to locate all the tiger stripe decals, but for those who want something simpler there is also a choice for a standard aircraft based at San Damiano AB in Italy flying missions over the Balkans.

This is a very good looking kit and should look really interesting when completed. It looks as good as the Hasegawa kit and is cheaper. There are a few other boxings of various German IDS Tornado’s and they share most of the parts sprues. At 150+ pieces, it certainly is intricate for such a small airplane. As such, don’t expect a quick build.