Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

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skypirate
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Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by skypirate »

Lovely little kit from Esci's heyday, in the 80s if I remember correctly. This has filled a gap in my Harrier lineup since the old Airfix kit was deposed many years ago. In fact the presence of this kit in my stash was the reason I did not jump at the new Airfix kit.
Action commences in my workbench window around here:

http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=471&start=1185

I did however jump (no pun intended) at one of the display bases from Coastal Kits.

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The Alley Cat decal sheet provides a variety of early 233 OCU Harrier schemes from 1972-1977, including the T.2. I find this an attractive change from the usual frontline squadron markings.

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The kit goes together well, requiring only a scratchbuilt nosewheel bay to avoid looking up at the cockpit floor. I added a landing lamp and resin seat, and opened the upper auxiliary intake doors and the camera window.

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Additional decals came from the original kit (some black stencils; the whole Esci sheet was composed of black USMC markings), a Microscale sheet, and spare Revell stencils.

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At a late stage I decided not to mount the outboard pylons, so had to fill the holes in the wing and repair the damage to the decals. Many of these OCU aircraft are photographed carrying no pylons at all. Those same photographs reminded me that I should have posed the elevators at a typical 'parked' angle. Next time.....

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And here is the gang all rounded up!

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Clockwise from the Airfix P.1127, we have the Hasegawa Sea Harrier, Italeri (I think; it was many years ago) AV-8B in USMC colours, Heller Bobcat T.2A with wing tanks from the spares box, Hasegawa GR.3, and the new Esci GR.1. I have the old Airfix T.10 and a couple more of the new Sword 2-seaters to add to the lineup in this scale.

Thanks for looking.

David
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Clashcityrocker
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Clashcityrocker »

What a great looking collection David. Lots of differences in the type as it evolved.

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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Eric Mc »

That is a fine looking Harrier and a nice representative collection of Harrier evolution.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Springy67 »

That is really nice! Particularly like the sharp demarcation. Cracking effort David.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by jssel »

Great family portrait. Beautiful collection.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Pugz636 »

that is awesome and a build i am aspiring too

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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by gnomemeansgnome »

Nice Harrier brood.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by JamesPerrin »

Love it. Love it. Love it.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

That's an impressive display - well done !
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Stupot »

Beautiful model David. It looks great with the open canopy. Looking forward to seeing those 2 seaters :)

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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Stamford »

What a lovely bunch of jump-jets.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by skypirate »

Thanks, chaps!

David
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by Marek »

Really nice Harrier, these ESCI kits still stand the test. Now, I am thinking about FRS.1 I have from them to start.
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by spitfire »

lotts of nice stuff there got a few to make my self
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Re: Esci 1/72 Harrier GR.1A, 233 OCU August 1973

Post by celt »

Well tidy Harrier,it looks like giant insect on the ground,or is it just me,its just me isnt. :razz:
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