Hi all,

Received this impulse buy in the post this morning. I'm not starting it right away - I have a venom to finish first - but I've decided to take a different tact with this one until that's finished (which'll be soon).



Normally I just decide whatever the h*ll I want from a model...sometimes it's just something to lash together (see above Venom) to "get my fix", other times I like to take a bit more care (see my 1:32 eurofighter).

However, on this occasion, I've decided that YOU LOT should decide what I do here with this one. And especially given Harriers are a particular favourite of the group, it's worth the effort to "maintain the standard" - especially given the excellent examples I've seen on here.

I'm talking:

- Squadron
- Payloads (preferably "tooled up")
- fixed inaccuracies (within reason - I'm a long way off being a master craftsman)
- corrections for version (eg: "Falklands scheme, therefore variant is XXX, and payload would be YYYYYY)
- pose (flying, taxing, or in the repair shop, everything open)
- aftermarket additions (pits, seats, bays, decals, variant alterations, above weaponry)

There is one caveat...it has to be British!

The rules are simple...I take a list of ideas (close date: end of March, or whenever the h*ll I want)....put it to a vote...and I build it. Though I still reserve the right to overrule (if a rivet-counting fix is beyond my technical skills, for example).

So roll on the ideas!

A quick word of warning, the British second generation harriers are noticeably different to their American counterparts, and there will be much work needed to convert this AV-8B to a GR.5/7/9. For example, these differences include:

- Noses- different between the three British variants, and different again to the three types of AV-8B
- Tail fairing
- Flare dispeners- located immediately aft of the airbrake on RAF versions.
- RWR sensors mounted on ventral fillet (below fin at rear fuselage.....can't think of the technical name for it! )
- MB Mk 12 seat instead of the American Stencel seat
- Aspects of the cockpit
- Cannons- two Aden pods instead of the single Avenger cannon on the AV-8B (trumpy have moulded this as two cannon, which is incorrect)

There are certainly more that someone more knowledgeable on Harriers will inform you of, but there's some food for thought

That said, if you're going to go for an RAF version, I'd quite like to see a 3 Sqn GR.5- can't imagine there will be too many of those knocking about

Typical yanks...ruining a perfectly good aircraft with their own revisions...and shame on trumpeter for choosing their version over ours!

Truth be told - it's more my lack of detailed knowledge of harriers showing up. I've a feeling I'll be an expert by the end though...

I'm not finding any conversion kits in 1/32 for it. I might have to forego the RAF part. Oh well...just and excuse to get the 1/24 at some point...

You'll have an either harder job converting an Airfix 1/24 GR.3 to a second gen harrier

The kit is fairly new, so I'd assume that aftermarket bits and bobs will be available at some point. However, I'm pretty sure Trumpy will be releasing an RAF version at some point anyway (in addition too an AV-8B II NA and/or AV-8B II+) so might be worth waiting for that one, and all the wonderful inaccuracies it will surely bring

In the meantime, you could always treat us all to an AV-8B build, can't have too many Harriers

Way things are looking, that might be all we get! Though I would like to go to town with some serious pointy boom sticks...as long as someone suggests them

A question for the members who know their Harriers. How easy would it be to backdate the AV8B to an AV8A?

There would be a lot of work involved as they are essentially completely different airframes. The wings are smaller, the canopy and cockpit are lower and the nose is pointier for a start. Lots and lots of work.

I assume you're question was referring to 1/32, so you're best bet is to hunt down an old Revell GR.1/AV-8A kit and use that as a starting point, though it's pretty basic from what I've read......

Ok, so I've done some research, and looks like I'll have to reluctantly stick to an AV-8B for this one.

That not to say democracy isn't still needed - I'm still offering up options on:

- Squadron (thought this will be american-only now)
- Payloads (preferably "tooled up")
- fixed inaccuracies (within reason - I'm a long way off being a master craftsman)
- pose (flying, taxing, or in the repair shop, everything open)

According to wikipedia the pointy boom-stick options are:

Hardpoints: 6× under-wing pylon stations holding up to 13,200 lb (5,988 kg) of payload:

Rockets:
4× LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19× CRV7 70 mm rockets)

Missiles:
Air-to-air missiles:
4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or similar-sized infrared-guided missiles
6× AIM-120 AMRAAM (mounted on radar equipped AV-8B+ variants)
Air-to-surface missiles:
6× AGM-65 Maverick; or
2× AGM-84 Harpoon; or
2× AGM-88 HARM; or

Bombs:
CBU-100 Cluster Bombs (CBUs)
Mark 80 series of unguided bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs)
Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs (LGBs)
Mark 77 napalm canisters

So...suggestions welcome! 6x paveways would be interesting... Though I've already done that for my eurofighter.

You could do a Desert Storm bird, maybe find something with Mission Markings, etc?

Ok....

I *might* be able to build a semi-plausible UK GR5 now (as long as I don't take any close up pics, and exclude the rivet counters! ).

No promises, because what I actually plan to do is use whatever I can from the ancient Revell kit (see below) to build the Trumpet edition into a UK GR5. GR5, 'cos the AV-8's nose is nearly identical, and damned if I can find any aftermarket conversions in 1:32.

Straight away, the belly guns from the Revell will be used, and anything else - we can see what we can do - any advice/pics you guys have to offer will be appreciated as always.

Wotcha think?

Hey fella - interesting thread!

I've just read your last posting and should point out that there is nothing in the Revell GR.1 that you can use on the AV-8B! You seem to be planning to use the guns, but they are completely different in shape and design! As for anything else being useful in the kit - 'fraid not! They really are two very different aircraft and the kits reflect this.

Rather than trying to build a GR.5 from the kit that you have (and add the mods including what is, trust me, a very different nose cone...), why not wait until Trumpeter release the GR.7 later in the year, build the AV-8B as a aircraft from the first Gulf War and then keep that very rare Revell GR.1 so that you can build it as is, or convert it into a GR.3? That way you get two models rather than one..?!

Just a thought - but please, don't use the parts from the Revell kit on the Trumpeter offering!!!

All the best, Spence

Oh well never mind then! ok - Gulf war AV-8B it is...

Ok, I've lashed together the OOB pointy boom sticks, and the rest from my 1:32 stash. I'm just starting on the generic stuff. Still plenty seam work to do on some of these babies, before anyone asks.

I am still leaving the load-out down to you guys - even if that means stuff that isn't shown here. Failing that, I'm loading up on the 6 LGB's and some air-to-air

It should be noted that the 2 paveways in the foreground are reserved for the inner pylons of my Eurofighter (to give it 6x paveways). Should be here soon! The 2 pods in the upper left corner are rocket pods. I'm tempted to steal the pods from the Revell kit, to give a 4x loadout (hint, hint).

Well, I've started, and almost finished the pit.

Still want to re-do some of the buttons on the upper centre console and side consoles (some are mistakenly red), and I've got a wire turning from white to red, but apart from that, I'm happy with it. Bit of weathering/dry brushing, and I've left it. I actually quite enjoyed it

The seat I'm less happy about - the kit one is a bit bland, compared to the pit itself. I've aged the khaki fabric a lot, given the age of these aircraft. I still have the straps to do, but even then I doubt I'll be happy with the seat. Any recommendations on aftermarket options? I'm assuming a lot of rocket seats are standardised?

Anyway...enjoy! Pictures a bit blurred for some reason - these do actually look a lot better in real life.

Its only because ours is better!!

I will follow your build as I too am doing one for review here on Brit Modeler.

Silverburn

Join the Harrier SIG - they'll be able to help you with all the questions you're posing.
Harrier SIG

Only a small update...gotta keep ahead of Mike and his AV-8B afterall...

Ok, engine started - colours etc lifted from some real-life pics. Plenty to do still - weathering especially.

Hi.
Probably my next build. Good job my friend.

Is there any aftermarket parts for this one yet ?.

Oliver

You started the engine!!?? Gosh those Trumpeter kits just get better & better! (sorry couldn't resist it! )

Engine finished!

Colour scheme radically different from the pegasus in East Fortune (as I saw today), but hey ho - I've seen the photo's and I know this engine scheme came out an AV-8B. I'd liked to have had more blue heat discolouration, but I didn't have the pastels for it, so plain ol' dirty it'll have to be. I might do a wee bit more, but it looks ok in normal light TBH (ie these photo's are showing it in it's best light).

Bays next, and getting the fuselage together!





PS - anyone looking for some photo's? I took a few of the lightning, and the tornado. I was tempted to do the Bucc, but I figured..."hey they obviously enjoy the pain of building them, so why make it easier for them?"

PS - no load-out votes at all from you chaps, so I'm going with:

- 2 x tanks - Inner pylons
- 6 x 500lb LGB's - Middle pylons
- xxxx - "leg" pylons not in kit. Booo!
- 2 x rocket pods - outer pylons
- 1 x spoiler, and 1 x pylon with laser guiding, ECM doohickey wotsits etc on the belly, in place of the guns. What exactly are these btw? And who makes them in
1:32?

....OR....

- 6 x 500lb LGB's - Inner pylons
- 2 x rocket pods - Middle pylons
- xxxx - "leg" pylons
- 2 x AIM9's - outer pylons

Ok, construction is proceeding, but I've spent most of the day correcting a problem...

Essentially, the pit section wouldn't join the main engine/fuselage section without massive gaps. I filed, I trimmed, I shaved...and only just got it to a "putty-able" distance, top and bottom. Only to find when I got there, the top section curvatures were not the same!

You can just make it out here:



The intakes threw in another problem, because if the main pit wouldn't fit neatly, neither would the flap "legs". I had the choice of either:

a ) attach the pit, then the intakes, and putty the intake join
b ) attach the intakes to the pit first, and join/putty the lot once attached.

I chose b ) - I figured making the small legs neatly finished was easier than trying to butcher the complex intake innards. Plus I've already painted the innards...

It's been a long day, but just about happy with the fit lines. A few small ones to do, and the belly pit/fuselage join needs further work - it was a good 1-2mm adrift! That front underkart is right in the way though, but I couldn't not attached it, given the design; Trumpet could have come up with a means surely - the rear can be added after the fuselage is together?

Anyway...to the pics....



..and after some work...the "intake legs" and the upper join are now neat and tidy!



...and here's progress at end of play; wings and tail fins are only dry fitted for now (wing will not be secured anyway).

Another one that I promise I've not forgotten about - I've been doing stuff honest!

Cammo is going on, but gahd...what a job. More photo's on that once I get my camera fixed.

Been working on the cammo, and will have some pics soon once I sort the camera...Again. Did a 1:32 pup in 3 days to cure the shakes, so firing back into this. Snag is, this cammo is hard on the paint and tape stores - Ive run out! Should have something to show you soon.

Photo's as promised!

Cammo is about 70% complete - I've just run out of tape and painted though!

OUTSTANDING...AWESOME.....Looking good and 1:32 SCALE too...Yipee !!!

Great scheme, looks brilliant!

Dan

An update at last!

Finished the main body cammo...gahd, what a job! Also, I've taken to glueing the wings in place - I wanted them removable, but they were annoying me so much they're now glued in place, complete with ugly seam...





I have a query though...How do I paint the pylons? Are they cammo like the body, or some other colour? I was thinking about gunless (It'll be carrying LGB and a sensor doodah thingy), so are the replacement fins also cammo? And what about the external tanks - also cammo?

I'd kinda like a break from the cammo...

Ok, more progress...

- legs are on! She can even stand, even if she's a bit wobbly.
- Gun replacement fins painted and on. I went with cammo, afterI saw a few pics with fins and pylons in cammo
- Pylons are on too, in cammo. I'll go back later and wash/pop the detail there
- front jets on (colour coded)
- rear jets drying (gun metal, and look pretty good, tamiya parts finish aside)

Looking like a harrier now!

*edit: ..apart from the too-high nose. Trumpet must have modelled an 'engine-out' airframe when they took the measurements...



I even managed to get the intakes right (no paint wobbles) at first attempt!

Good stuff silverburn.
The LIDS strakes look a little close to the centre line - are you sure you've got them the right way around? The wider tabs of the mounting fairings should be inboard. Could well be a Trumpeterism so excuse my comment if so.

Coming on nicely though.

It could well be a combination of trumpetism and angle of photo. They're definitely there and angled. Will take a better shot tonight, to confirm though...

Trundling through this now...

- Outer legs done (bar the flaps)
- rear exhausts done
- airbrakes done
- soot done

Soot is the main thing here. A good dousing of smoke to weather it. I'll do some seam work with pastels afterwards as well. A coat of matt should tone down the shine on the soot. I weathered this bit first, while it was all disassembled. It would have been trickier doing it later on. It'll also get washed, and some pastel work done, for the full weathering effect.

Apologies for the poor photos. Artificial light and a poor camera don't make a good shot.

Think it was either the camera angle or my eyesight. Those LIDS strakes look fine.

Ok, another wee update.

Decals are on! But gahd, they were a nightmare...they folded up quicker than...well, a foldy thing. Mind you, once they were on, they are very good.

And I lost one - one of the hi-vis markers on the belly. And the jet intake decals...wow - How I managed to retain these, I do not know; I even managed to keep the cut out sections for the tabs, which I'll be installing shortly.

In other news, the TIALD thingy has arrived, as has a couple of US 2000lb LGB's from fightpath.

My loadout will be:

Port inner - 1 x 2000lb LGB
Starboard inner - TIALD
Middles - tanks
Outers - AIM9's

Would love to do this though...

Inners - 2 x 6 dumb bombs
Middles - tanks
Outers - AIM9's
Guns on

Photo taken with iphone, so apologies.


Will matt this down a bit before:

- Doing the weapons and carriers
- Small detail painting (lights, puffers, might paint the refueler arm, black studs on wheels etc)
- weathering. Likely to be very simple - a wash for the whole model for the panel lines, and pastels for oil streaks and misc weathering). Main jet soot already done.
- breakables
- canopy
- Drop it on the floor, and go back 12 steps
- Try and setup a booth for photography for RFI

Airframe complete!

Mostly easy, but next time...I'm putting the intake flaps on early on! Gahd what a job I had getting these in, and they're nowhere near tight enough - I mean checkout the daylight in the gaps, and the step; these are support to be airtight! Oh well...obviously a modelling fault I made...

All in all it looks like an AV-8B...except I'm somewhat anti-climatic about. I wanted better...maybe I've just seen to too many stunning examples on here, that I set my own expectations too high?

Anyway - for what it's worth - here it is. Sorry about the pic quality...camera still running a silly ISO value, and since it's a point and click, I have no control! Oh, to have my Canon back...



There is some significant weathering here, and especially along the belly and sides; camera doesn't pick it up too well.




At least I got my intake right! You can see the dodgy lower intake flaps here. Curse words...



A pit shot, which didn't come out too well.



Also, the slightly squint starboard outboard leg; not sure what I could have done here TBH




Next: Pointy boom sticks, then RFI! (Maybe tomorrow night). Still swithering on loadout...

Some outdoor shots...same crappy camera, but at least the ISO setting is improved. *must* get my Canon repaired!

Very nice, I'd certainly be pleased with the way she's come out.

That looks really cool...well done sir.

Looks great, I'll certainly be picking up the GR7/9 version.

Dan

The outdoor photograph's make it look even better.
Natural sunlight brings out the best in models.
BB

Ok I like that very much. Nice work.

Oliver

Ok, I've gone totally insane.

I started off ok...I needed to do 2 AIM9's, a TIALD, and a 2000lb GBU, and that was it model done.

Somehow though, I decided to undertake this...my entire weapons stash.



And I got as far as this tonight:



back to the Trumpet kit...and I can't believe it. They included a 2 x 6 GBU racks (12 500lb GBU's in total), yet only provide 4, then provide 2 x AIM9's, yet don't provide any rail at all for them????

Great model.

Ok, small update tonight

- AIM9's are on. Yes, yes, yes...no rails. I know. But I chickened out of scratching my own. Next time, I promise!
- LGB is on

...and was all ready to to the TIALD, but then though...woah, hold on...I need a LITENING, not a TIALD! So, it's *just* about ready for RFI...just gotta order a LITENING pod from someone first.

Can you tell I shot this one in the garage with my iphone?

impressive build, sooooo close to being finished.

Impressive work.

Oliver

Hi Guys,

Well, I've got the LITENING on order, so this'll be RFI very soon.

In the meantime, I've returned to the stash...and progress is made. Most significant is the Hindenburgs! My first Vacform, and it's scary...I thought I was super accurate with a brand new blade, but they're still going to need another run of filling and sanding.

I hadn't realised I had so much flightpath...it's nice stuff, but I'll kill for some 1:32 decals for the weapons and the TIALD - especially the stormshadows (though there is some raised detail to enable easy painting of the nose stripes). Still, I'm going to blag some from the decal stash, that reasonably resembles 1:1.

Anyway...28 rear fins and 24 front fins to build... Some yellow 'live' bands to do, and some antique stores to start.

Getting there...



Plane is in RFI btw.