Dermo245 Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 (edited) Hi all, Despite a self-imposed 'F-14 only builds for 2014', I couldn't pass up the chance to build a Harrier! So I'm in with this one (in between a couple of Tomcats, obviously) Will be mostly OOB but might swap the Sidewinders out (as they look like the earlier ones). Does anyone know if the decals in this kit are accurate for a Falklands-era Sea Harrier? Thanks for looking and good luck with your builds! Dermot Edited August 2, 2014 by Dermo245 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard E Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 (edited) Dermot An excellent little kit. However out of the box, neither of the two FAA schemes are accurate for a Falklands era aircraft: XZ451 was operated by 899 NAS from HMS Invincible in an overall Extra Dark Sea Grey scheme; ZD608 was one of the batch of Sea Harriers ordered after the Falklands conflict and, despite the caption in Italeri's instructions, did not fly until September 1985 and first entered service with 801 NAS in November 1986. Although they are both out of production, Modeldecal's sheets 66 and 67 or Xtradecal's sheet X72073 are probably the best source of markings for the Sea Harriers operated by the FAA during Operation Corporate. HTH Richard Edited May 5, 2014 by Richard E 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Very nice kit, I much prefer it to the Airfix offering, you may be able to beg some spare decals from the Airfix kit for a Falklands jet, if you ask nicely in wanted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Good choice for a harrier build and in MY scale too.. Can't wait to see more... Yummy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) Time to move on with this one! Got the cockpit assembled and installed - just added belts, nothing else. Left the seat as it is - looks kinda skinny Overall, the fit was great except where the upper wing meets the fuselage - there's quite a 'step' in the rear section just ahead of the tail 'A'. When I dry-fitted it to make it level, it would throw out the fit of the lower wing to fuselage at 'B'. I don't know if it's the design of the kit. Or my efforts. Either way, got some filling and sanding to do! I've also dropped the intake doors (not shown) and need to replace the ones I've cut away. Thanks for looking. Dermot Edited June 18, 2014 by Dermo245 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 It is always the same when you dry fit a part, it fits perfectly or as near as damn it. But as soon as you add glue and stick the same part to the model, it all goes haywire. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted June 21, 2014 Author Share Posted June 21, 2014 And with intakes fitted - I've dropped the doors on these but the rest will be OOB, I promise! Still need to fix the rear wing to fuselage seam....it's acting like a silly bugger Thanks for looking. Dermot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Looking good, that seam is a weak point on this kit, otherwise it's very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Hi all and some cracking builds on here which is a great motivation to get done in time! Finally got some paint on - as I brush with Revell acrylics, this is a homemade mix based on their recommendation for EDSG (75% Blue Grey + 25% Tank Grey) It might be a wee bit too dark but I'm happy with it. Not happy with that rear seam which I just couldn't fix. Oh well, you live and learn. Please ignore the US Navy carrier deck tractor which sneaked in there....part of another build! And as she was last night with a coat of Future. Still need to touch up in some small places too. Decals tonight, thanks for looking! Dermot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Looking good. Could the rear seam also double as the wing to fuselage joint? Remember the whole wing comes off to replace, or sometimes just to work on the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) That looks spot on for EDSG! I think Jabba might be right there is a panel line at that joint Edited July 29, 2014 by SaintsPhil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks lads. Just a quick question - was the finish on Falklands-line aircraft glossy? Hope to start weathering (if any!) tonight! I seem to remember reading that they were kept as clean as possible owing to the rigours of flying in the South Atlantic. Any advice appreciated! Dermot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) I'd go fairly clean but probably more Satin than gloss. That being said, there's a saying that if a harrier doesn't leak it's empty... Edited July 31, 2014 by SaintsPhil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks lads. Just a quick question - was the finish on Falklands-line aircraft glossy? Hope to start weathering (if any!) tonight! I seem to remember reading that they were kept as clean as possible owing to the rigours of flying in the South Atlantic. Any advice appreciated! Dermot I think that the Royal Navy keep their aircraft clean all the time whilst operating from carriers. I know that they were better at it than us in the RAF whilst operating Chinooks on the Ark on Op Telic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I have had a look in my copy of Falklands the Air War and it has a 4 view drawing of Xz451 of 801 Sqn painted in what the caption says is Gloss Extra dark Sea Grey. There is also a colour piccie showing a sailor painting out the White of the roundel with a 3" paint brush from a pot of paint, plus a compatriot who you can't see painting one of the White weapons pylons in a similar fashion with the Grey. Also I am not sure if the Royal Navy puts on a protective coating of something like PX-28/24 the prevent corrosion on the paint work, which might give a glossy look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks again Jabba. Just wondering would any weathered or chipped areas on the airframe reveal bare metal or primer? Last night's work....decals on which were a mix of Italeri and Airfix (thanks Murfv) Then a liberal wash.... And then a clean up followed by my favourite part of any Harrier build, getting her to sit on all four points! The weathered drop tanks was something I've seen on some Falklands-era pics though it might be a little overdone. The Sidewinder pylons were a bear to fit with really poor attachment points between the pylon and the rail. I'm only adding one Aim-9, leaving the other rail empty as if she's just returned from a patrol. The kit has had 3 coats of Future which means she's quite glossy (and the wash didn't really want to settle down) but by all accounts was the finish. She's a bit grubby in places which I think is ok though?? I'm also going to try and tone down the markings as they're very bright. Will add the last bits and pieces tonight hopefully. Thanks for looking and any comments or suggestions welcomed! Dermot Edited August 1, 2014 by Dermo245 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Any chipped or weathered areas would more than likely show the paint that is underneath like on your fuel tank. Remember that the undersides were White before being hand painted over with EDSG, possibly the same on the fuel tank? Sorry should have added at the start that the progress that you are making this into a really nice model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) Hey everyone, Got all the little final fiddly bits added, some final weathering and she's done - will post some better pictures in the Gallery later. I replaced the nose pitot with needle but think it might be a little too long?? Thanks for all the really helpful comments, suggestions and expert advice, and to Mish and Phil; I can't wait for Harrier STGB 3! Dermot Edited August 2, 2014 by Dermo245 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Well done great build, love the chipping on the tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nimrod54 Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Looks great Dermot, very nicely detailed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Love it - again got one needs doing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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