Chip's RAF Harrier - XZ992***Finished***

[Dazzled]

Nice work on improving the cockpit and don't worry about time, this is a long GB

[Molly-new]

Thanks guys. I take it that the site has stopped us using the word "cockpit" due to it's rude-word filters?

May 10th - Filters lifted. Phew

[Molly-new]

Yes, it has

Anyway, I have now got the fuselage together. The fit had a few issues but several clamps, lots of glue and a few well chosen descriptive words got me to this stage:



The seat has been fitted into the co....oh, you know where:





The copied decals worked out quite well in the end.

Thanks for looking.

[Dazzled]

Great progress and nice idea with the cockpit decals

Another idea for the "tips bank"

[bromo]

I find descriptive words work quite well that cockpit has turned out very nice,a great improvement Chip

[malepo]

nice work on the pit - looks good

[Molly-new]

Progress has been slow due to life (beery weekends ) getting in the way, but I have now got it looking like a plane:



I have spent quite a bit of time working on the auxilliary intake doors after the discussion between Splash and Dazzled over the amount and relative settings. Thanks guys.



I have a conflict in research at the moment though. When the plane was on the ground were the landing gear doors closed or open? I cannot find a conclusive picture, the Airfix instructions show them open, yet the Hasegawa model that I have has them molded closed.

All thoughts welcomed.

[splash]

Progress has been slow due to life (beery weekends ) getting in the way, but I have now got it looking like a plane:



I have spent quite a bit of time working on the auxilliary intake doors after the discussion between Splash and Dazzled over the amount and relative settings. Thanks guys.



I have a conflict in research at the moment though. When the plane was on the ground were the landing gear doors closed or open? I cannot find a conclusive picture, the Airfix instructions show them open, yet the Hasegawa model that I have has them molded closed.

All thoughts welcomed.

I think both options are right, all photos I have seen of them in flight with the gear down show the doors closed but photos on the ground show them open so I think the doors drop when they loose hydronic pressure.

It could be worth you sending a PM to Dazzled he will know.

Regards
Splash

[MerlinJones]

From my own researches, when in normal flight, they're closed.
They're open for hovering and take-off, but appear to be 'relaxed' when grounded.

Regards,
Bruce

[Dazzled]

Hi Chip.

To resolve your u/c door conundrum, the doors could be open or closed on the ground depending on whether hydraulic power was applied and at what point the power was applied (or deactivated) so there is no real right or wrong, the doors can be up or down. They would more often than not be opened to permit a.f.'s (after flight checks). As your model depicts one with no pilot, so not ready for flight, I'd go for the open option but it's entirely up to you. My GR7 has it's doors open.

One point to consider, and something that is apparent on pictures of Harriers in the hover position is that when the nozzles are in the downward position a flap opens up between the leading edges of the gunpods/strakes. This forms a kind of "buffer" to help cushion the aircraft on it's final drop to the ground. This doesn't seem to be applicable in your case as the nozzles are at the short take-off angle.

Hope this info is helpful

[Molly-new]

Many thanks for the advice guys. I will be going with doors closed as there are some major seam issues in the undercarriage bays.

The nozzles are a working feature so will be positioned pointing down, as if the aircraft has recently landed, and the pilot exited quickly. (Probably to find the loo )

[bromo]

Looking good Chip,nice job on the Aux doors

[Molly-new]

Sorry for the slow updates, but the workbench is a bit overcrowded with 3 on the go at the mo.

The Harrier has had a wash to remove any sanding residue, and will hopefully get undercoated later today. Pics to follow.

[Molly-new]

Better late than never, I primed the Old Girl, which showed up a couple of areas that needed work:



Once dealt with I gave another coat of primer, swiftly followed by a coat of Grey undercoat:



I will be away from the workbench for a couple of days, but I am looking forward to getting the Green on.

Thanks for looking.

[MerlinJones]

Setting her up for a ferry flight, Chip?

Regards,
Bruce