Osprey Publishing

"Modelling the Harrier I and II"

By Glenn Ashley

ISBN # 1-84176-647-X 

Review sample sent in by Osprey Publishing

Review by Steve Bamford
--------------------

This new book from  Osprey Publishing is written by Glenn Ashley . Glenn takes a logical approach to this book to guide the Harrier modeller through the process of building a highly detailed scale replica of this amazing aircraft.- With this book Glenn teaches you about the history of the Harrier and how to build a detailed Harrier in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/24 scale.  This book is 82 pages of detail and information and many, many pictures..... 184 colour pictures to be exact.  This book begins with a general outline of various modelling tools and supplies that will come in handy when building a model of a Harrier (or other models).  The Book then launches into the fun stuff......building the Harrier in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/24.

For the 1/72 Harrier the Author chose to build the 1/72 Airfix P.1127....and older kit first released in 1962 and an excellent platform for an advanced modeller to display his detailing talents.  This particular Harrier is the baremetal prototype, so you are shown general assembly touching on areas such as filling and partially building a cockpit.  the author uses some photo-etch and white metal parts to detail up the kits very basic (almost non-existent cockpit).  This book guides the reader through the many stages of prep to build a flawless baremetal finish and as with all thing....we all have our own techniques....so most readers will pick up new tricks.  There is then a 1/72 Harrier Gallery section showing various built up versions of the Harrier including the 2 seat version.  The topic of decalling is briefly covered.

With the 1/72 Harrier complete....the book shift gears and moves onto the 1/48 Harrier.....bigger scale....more detail.  The author has chosen to avoid the "easy way out" and no go with a resin cockpit.  Instead he has gone with a photo-etch set and some scratchbuilding.  This is an excellent choice for a how to book.....it gives the reader the picture and text to guide them through a bit of scratchbuilding and this insight will form a general knowledge base to the reader in future projects.   This particular build shows you how to so a wash to darken and accent panel lines as well as doing a wash to accent cockpit detail and even paint chipping.  The author even scratch built the ejection seat......with 108 pieces.  The landing gear is also covered in length with close-up photos of the real aircraft and in-progress photos and the author slowly adds detail bits such as hydraulic lines and a carefully applied paint job on these pieces.  Some basic but informative and very well done figure painting is covered as our author adds some figures to his Harrier.  Decalling was not covered for this model but the topic was generally covered for the 1/72 build.  A very nice selection of 1/48 Harriers is included in the 1/48 Harrier gallery section....with great photos with realistic looking English (?) countryside backgrounds etc.
With the smaller scales complete, the book moves up to the serious detail rich environment of the 1/24 Harrier (originally issued in 1974)....engine detailing here we come!!!
This full build covers the 1/24 Harrier built up as Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS.1.  This will require converting the GR.1 kit to the FS.1......cutting off the nose is the first step in this process.  The Sea Harrier nose is included as extra Airfix parts in the kit for keen modellers wanting a Sea Harrier.  Cockpit detailing, engine detailing and scratch building detail for the main landing gear bay is covered next.  The ejection seat receives scratch built seatbelts and buckles and other scratchbuilt bits.  The author has chosen to open up the engine access panel on top to show off the very nice kit engine that is further detailed by the author.  A critical area of detailing is the intake doors around the outside of the main engine intake.....this critical detail area is covered at this stage.
Painting and decalling is covered at this point.  This model was brush painted.....which produced very good results.  A small 1/24 Harrier gallery section is included and includes this model and one other....a FA2 Harrier.

As a final treat....this book has 4 pages detailing making a runway diorama section with grass areas to the side.  The author focused on a diorama bases for a Harrier, but much of the info can be used for any aircraft.  This information is a valuable addition to this fine book. This books then covers a variety of Harrier kits, detail accessories and decals that have been produced in various scales with a description and sometimes a photo of the items.  A section about different Harrier reference book is covered with photos and descriptions and finally the book talks about various Harriers that can be found on display at various museums as well as photos of them and a small selection of airshow walkaround photos.

So what's the final word on this book?  I'm quite impressed.  There is a wealth of information for anyone from beginner to expert to use if they are building a Harrier and especially a British Harrier.  The book also includes many general and helpful modelling techniques that would help to build any model.  I give this book 2 thumbs up for it's approach to helping you build a better Harrier by using lots and lots of photos and I look forward to future editions to this series.  This book would be a fantastic addition to any modellers library and it has done it's job......gotten me interested in building a Harrier.  

Steve

Special thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy.

This book is published by Osprey Publishing and distributed by MBI Publishing Company in the US.  It is available in bookstores everywhere, or from www.ospreypublishing.com.  

Osprey Direct c/o MBI Publishing, PO Box 1, 729 Prospect Ave, Osceola, WI 54020  Toll free 800-826-6600