Subject: Re: 1/24 Sea Harrier Article
From: "Steve Bamford" <[email-masked]>
To: "Richard Baines" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 16:05:26 -0800

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Baines 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 11:45 AM
  Subject: 1/24 Sea Harrier Article

  Gallery Template #08

  "1/24 BAe Sea Harrier FRS-1" 

  by "Richard Baines"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  This year Airfix released an update of their famous Hawker-Siddely Harrier in 1/24 scale. Because I wanted to get this kit done fairly quickly, and to assess the kit, I built it 'straight from the box'. The only reference material used was a cross-section of the Sea Harrier I found in a magazine article that my dad had. The main thing I disliked about the kit was the lack of new parts for the upgrade. I felt that Airfix could have spent more time on the cockpit seat and the undercarriage wheel-wells (only the front one was upgraded). The best new innovation was the instruments - the marks were recessed, so just paint and wipe the excess!  

        Click on images below to see larger images
       
        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 

       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg 

  The engine remains the same, I painted the front part of mine Humbrol Metalcote Bronze (now obsolete). This was the colour of the engine in the cross section I had, although now reseach shows it to be different. My only frustration with this kit was the exhaust nozzles. They are supposed to turn together, and mine were fine, just a bit stiff. Later on though parts inside broke so I've just glued them down. The kit really is big, and I compared it with a 1/72 Harrier and it looked huge (note the faint silver plane in the picture above).

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  For anyone making this kit beware of the front undercarriage - whatever the instructions say, put it in place before you cement the wheel well. I had to wait 2 weeks for a replacement and then open up the fuselage! When I make the GR3 variant of this kit I will superdetail it, putting little extras in such as the black box panel opened out and maybe even a small motor to power the turbines. 

        Click on images below to see larger images
       
        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 07.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 07.jpg 

       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 08.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 08.jpg 

  Photos and text © 2003 by "Richard Baines"