Mav's Matchbox FRS.1 ***FINISHED***

[IronMan129]

My choice for this GB is the 1/72 Matchbox Sea Harrier FRS.1.
I'm going to be building this one out of the box but putting her into the Grey and White Royal Navy livery with the Red Arrow on the tail using tail decals from the stash.

Here is an overview of the kit:


The fuselage and other first bits are off the sprew and sanded down:


The very basic seat and Engine fan now painted up ready to go inside the fuselage:


I've painted the cockpit interior a light grey, glued in the nose weights, painted the inside of the fuselage black that are visible through the air intakes and glued in the seat and engine fan.

I'm going to try and get alot done today after I finish so watch this space.

[splash]

I think you will find the inside of the engine air intakes on the Harriers are white, but black will cover up the lack of detail

Due to the wheel layout on the Harrier, I don't think you will need weights in the nose as they are not known for their tail sitting, but as always it better to play safe and add it at this stage.

Regards Splash

[IronMan129]

That's what I was thinking, I want to see the fan but I am using black to blackout the lack of detail.
What I will be doing though is before I attach the air intakes I will be painting the insides white so I'm compromising trying to get her as close as I can without straying from the OOB concept.

I did the Airfix GR.3 a few years ago and didn't use any weights and wasn't happy with how light it felt so this time i'm adding some in hope that it makes a slight difference.

[splash]

That all makes sense

[DavidWomby]

Good progress and the choice of markings will make it bright.

The old Mbox kit is very basic and has the famous trenches but I've always liked that kit. However, I am amazed (and delighted) to see 3 of you chose to build it for this GB!

David

[IronMan129]

Thanks dwomby!
I've had this kit for I think just over a year and haven't until now found a livery that stands out to me.
I received the FA.2 over Xmas and yesterday me and my Mrs were looking at the 3 Royal Navy Harrier box's that I have as options and we both came up with the idea of having the FA.2 in the checker board livery and the FRS.1 in this livery.
I haven't always liked the FRS.1 to be honest and now I can't understand why so building her in this GB is my way of apologizing to the FRS.1.
I think my reasoning for this is that the dark grey and black nose livery just doesn't do the aircraft and justice.
As we speak I am starting more progress, hope I do this wonderful aircraft justice.

[IronMan129]

Today I tried something I've seen and been very inspired by when other modellers do it.
I have never tried this before so please go easy on my result.
I have looked into various photos of FRS.1 Ejector Seats and I have done my best on getting the seat belts and buckles right so here are the results:

Hope you all like it so far.

[IronMan129]

Oh I will point out that I have touched up the paint work on the Ejection Seat and its looking pretty good through my eyes

[DavidWomby]

Oh I will point out that I have touched up the paint work on the Ejection Seat and its looking pretty good through my eyes

Mine too. Great work on the belts.

David

[iggie]

The belts look very neat!

[fredk]

Every little bit helps. Makes looking into the cockpit like looking into a working area and not a dark hole

[MarkyM607]

This kit was one of, if not the first, kit's that I built on my own rather than my dad building it for me. However in my modelling infancy/naivety, I decided it would save time to cut all of the parts off the sprues before building commenced. This resulted in a lot of comparing parts to instructions but it was completed and lasted for years. It is a favourite whatever it's faults and good to see several appear here.

[splash]

Well done they look great. They make a big difference to an empty cockpit.

For years I just painted the cockpit black and left it as it comes, it's only now that I'm starting to add more detail.

Regards Splash

[IronMan129]

Thanks folkes, I'm really enjoying this classic little kit so far.

Tonight I closed the fuselage up, put a layer of primer on and the paint work too.

The next step is to sand and fill then touch up the paint work.
I decided to go back to my old way of building just for one kit.

[AndrewR]

Watch the port wing. It sits a bit low. James's solution of enlarging the slot upwards is the easiest way of dealing with that.
Nice seatbelts btw