For my first
submission, I decided to share a few of my Harriers with you guys. The
number of built and unbuilt 1/48 scale Harriers that I have (currently
standing at 7 built and 4 unbuilt) should be an indication of how
much I love these aircraft and I hope you enjoy them. The three presented
here include: GR.5 ZD410, GR.9 ZG860 and T.8 ZB604.
The GR.5 is
the Hasegawa kit and resulted from a long online search. It was built and
painted mostly OOB, although I have added some photo-etch parts from the
Eduard collection including harnesses and cockpit instruments. Decals are
from the kit and it was airbrushed using Humbrol Enamels before being
finished with a coat of Gloss Varnish.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The GR.9 started
life as a Hasegawa GR.7, but was converted with the addition of some Model
Alliance decals and GBU-12's from Weapons Set D, painted (by hand and
without masking) to represent Paveway IV training rounds. It features
harnesses scratch built from styrene sheet, was brush-painted with
Humrol Enamels and has Model Alliance decals for the correct
numbering. The model is based on some photos I found of ZG860 flying
in this configuration from Warton, although I later discovered that the
LERX is incorrect (should be the 100% LERX) and I am also missing a pair
of fairings from the upper fuselage. Nevertheless I am very happy with the
outcome of this build, and it came third in the Warkwickshire and
Birmingham Wing Field Day staff modelling competiton last summer.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The T.8 was built
using the Heritage Aviation resin conversion and was my first foray into resin,
resin conversion, vac-form canopies and airbrushing. I think it came out quite
well don't you? I was a little intimidated to start with, but the conversion is
actually very simple, although I had one or two fit problems, particularly
inside the forward fuselage where the seats took a little work to fit, and where
there is a horrendous joint-line, although a little styrene sheet sorted that
out. I put these down to my inexperience, but if does not detract from the
model. Paint was airbrushed Humbrol gloss black and the decals are Model
Alliance, although the 899 NAS 'fist' is incorrect. The correct 'fists' managed
to get crumpled up and knackered during application, so it was rescued with the
larger version from the 1993 Squadron anniversary celebrations (that are
included in the conversion kit). It was finished with a coat of gloss varnish
and I feel it represents the gloss finish of the real thing quite well.
Robert
Click on
images below to see larger images
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