ChocksAway Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Sea Harrier FRS51 - IN623 / 23, 300 Sqdn, Indian Navy, circa 2012 The latest model (build 12) in my Harrier Project is a FRS51 Sea Harrier in the latest Indian Navy scheme. At least I think it's the latest scheme, because trying to find up-to-date reference photos has proved to be quite difficult. Job done now, so a bit late to change. The Indian Navy Sea Harriers are now nearing retirement, so I expect this to be the last camouflage scheme that they carry. IN623 / 23 was the last FRS51 to be delivered to the Indian Navy in April 1992 and is one of only eight still flying / flyable, together with three T-birds. Twenty plus years of service is on a par with some of the longest serving Sea Harriers of the Royal Navy and in much higher temperatures! Yes, it is another boring monotone Harrier, but I fancied the new scheme, even though it meant I pretty much had to create all the stencil decals myself using an inkjet printer and inkjet decals paper. The roundels were provided courtesy of Nick (NG899) from an old decal sheet. I'm still learning the ropes with home made decals and as a consequence the swear box kitty has had a bit of a topping up (I'm sure the charity where the proceeds go will not mind). Trying to produce colour matching to print light numbers proved beyond my wallet. Hence, there's a few dodgy decals, but probably in keeping with some other parts of the venerable Airifx 1/48 scale kit that I chopped and changed to try and get a more representative SHAR (courtesy of Nick's indispensable build guide). My reference photos from 2010 showed a pretty clean Sea Harrier just out of it's "LUSH" upgrade, so I've moved it on a couple of years and given her some wear and tear in keeping with the traditional state of Harriers. Aside from having a go at most of the suggestions in Nick's build notes, I added a resin seat, and Heritage Aviation's nozzles and dropped door intakes. I did mix and match the undercarriage from various items in the spares box. She's brush painted of course, using Life Color's acrylic Light Compass Ghost Grey (FS36375) and Light Gull Grey for the radome. Klear coating has darkened it a fraction more than I would have liked, but let's not go to far down the shaes of grey debate. Weathering from Tamiya and rounded off with a spray of Humbrol matt varnish. So here she is ... Comments welcome as ever. Next up on the bench will be a Monogram / Revell AV-8B II. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shar2 Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 That looks ace, Graham. Although the roundels just look wrong, ( not your modelling, but in real life). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Starling Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Nice looking Harrier,but I gotta agree with Dave regarding the roundels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasticbutcher Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 I do like that build, roundels and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Another completed SHAR model is never a bad thing and nice to see an Indian Navy machine getting some attention for a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Very nice indeed Graham, an interesting scheme! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlin Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Nice, different but nice. /Bosse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 What a really nice model, I`ve always liked this new Indian scheme, roundels and all and was hoping that Airfix would provide it in their re released SHAR kit,..oh hum! Very well done indeed, Tony O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbuna Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Very nice...first Indian example I've seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonR Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Very nice, on bit of a Harrier roll myself so can appreciate what it takes to knock this kit into shape. Did you have any issues with the fit of the Heritage intakes? cheers Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzH Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Nice job, don't see many in this schema... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Very nice Graham,I hope to see it at Telford. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 really cool build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 very nice diffrent scheme, cant make my mind up about the roundels, but good to see a shar anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Vor!!! Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 i like this chap very nice thought it looked good at Yate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocksAway Posted August 13, 2012 Author Share Posted August 13, 2012 Thanks for the comments, chaps. ideas for toning down the roundels (other than ) most welcome, bearing mind i'm a brush painter and have sealed the decals with Klear and spray matt varnish. It got an outing at the IPMS Avon show yesterday - I heard no reports of snow blindness at the local A&E SimonR - yep, the intakes need a bit of persuasion with a sanding stick - nothing too drastic as I managed to make a reasonable fist of it. Stephen ... have to ask if Dave will let it through on the basis of India being a member of the Commonwealth! If anyone knows where I can get "Derby" missiles from, then please let me know ... I can then add a bit of fire power! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Indian SHARS more than welcome! Re the roundels, I've never tried brush painting them, but I wonder if 'filters' would work? (Ultra thinned paint) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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