James revisits a Sea Harrier

[JamesPerrin]

This was the first kit I built when I took up modelling as a permanent hobby (not that I knew it then) at the age of 11, I've been pretty much building (or at least buying) model kits since then. I bought my original one from John Menzies newsagents in Wrexham circa 1985, and probably cost 99p. It was a fortuitous choice as the only Humbrol paints in the house were Gloss White and DSG in the large tins!

This one I bought recently at a show for a trip down memory lane. To expedite matters it will be wheels up and I shall do very little to the cockpit, however I can't resist tarting up the exterior a little, vents etc.

[DavidWomby]

I'll enjoy watching this one. It's a lovely CBK.

David

[JamesPerrin]

I hadn't realised but evidently the light grey sprue is common with their earlier Harrier GR1 kit, it is even marked PK 16-37. It explains why the kit is armed with bombs instead of the the standard 100gal drop tanks. You also get the bodies of two Matra pods whose noses must have been on the t'other GR1 sprue.



It's typical that as I'm not using the undercarriage these are the detailed parts. I do get to use the funky blue stand though.

[splash]

Do you need drop tanks, I think I have spares you can have?

Regards Splash

[DavidWomby]

Wow - I've never seen a Mbox stand in anything but clear plastic. Must be worth a fortune on eBay!

David

[JamesPerrin]

Do you need drop tanks, I think I have spares you can have?

Thanks Splash I'll let you know. I've the Italeri kit and the Airfix FRS2 in the stash so I'll work out what fit they will be and whether they can provide. Also got some plans so I'll check my spares first for anything suitable

[JamesPerrin]

@splash I've found some ferry tanks from the old Airfix GR3 that are the right profile, I just need to cut them down two size. I've also pinched a better looking Sidewinder and missing rail from the updated Buccaneer set. I'll duplicate the rail and pretend the other Sidewinder has been fired.

[fredk]

AFAIR Matchbox recut their Harrier tooling to make the Sea Harrier in about 1982 to take advantage of the great interest in them then.

[AndrewR]

AFAIR Matchbox recut their Harrier tooling to make the Sea Harrier in about 1982 to take advantage of the great interest in them then.

They were the first ones on the market for sure. They only had to produce one new sprue, as James mentioned. The other is common with their GR.3 kit.

However, I'm not sure the new fuselage entirely fits to the old wings. I've just stuck the wings on mine and there was a big step on the port wing.

[JamesPerrin]

However, I'm not sure the new fuselage entirely fits to the old wings. I've just stuck the wings on mine and there was a big step on the port wing.

Yeah I found that too. The slot in in the fuselage is too low, just file/cut the top of the slot so the wing sits level.

[JamesPerrin]

Been doing small stuff. Using kit seat as I will plug the space with the pilot figure, just added a console and also levelled the 'parcel shelf' behind the seat to match the canopy rail; looking at pics this is external to the cockpit as there is a bulkhead in the canopy immediately aft of the seat. Compressor face just painted black with silver highlighting the overly simplified detail. Back filled the aux intake doors with Milliput, these will all be closed with the a/c in flight. Prefilled the numerous sink marks on the fuselage halves.

[JamesPerrin]

As mentioned some ferry tanks from the OT Harrier GR3 were modified to the stand 100gal tanks. The ferry tanks are a scale 18' and the 100gal 11'. So 7' got binned.



The donors need a lot a TLC themselves so the whole thing was slavered with filler and the desired tank then found with course sanding sponges.

[iggie]

Nice 'cut n' shuts'

[splash]

Those tanks have turned out well.

[JamesPerrin]

Paul has invited me to build this aircraft for the SBK SIG display:




and being Paul has kindly supplied the decals too. Note how the sqn markings and the white of the roundel have been overpainted.