Dave Mason

Looking at the photos I have already it looks like the TIALD pod and AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pod are mounted on a special left side belly pylon. We need photos of the pylon, the adaptor, and the Sniper pod. On the center pylon they are mounting the Joint Digital Recon Pod. We need photos of both. On the right belly position they are mounting the new Terma AIRCM pod which has it's own integrated pylon. Do you have any photos of this new pod?

Thanks Warris, Those photos have been forwarded to Trumpeter. Do you also have any photos of the three pylons that go on the belly of the GR.7. They are unique to RAF Harriers. Two of them hold the TERMA and Joint Digital Recon Pods while the other is the center pylon. Dave

Hi again gents, Well that confirms it, no guns inside. Why didn't they just use the 25mm gattling gun like the US Marines use? Having a 25mm strafe option is sometimes the only close air support option available when you have a danger close troops in contact situation. Thankfully the replacement F-35 will have the 25mm cannon in it. Anyway Trumpeter has already made the molds for the gun pods so it will make it into the kit as an option. Here is the rest of the Weapons Suite I am recommending for the GR.7: 1. AIM-9L Sidewinders with BOL 510 countermeasures launch rails. 2. Paveway IV 1,000# LGB's 3. CRV-7 rocket pods with and without the round protective covers. (The Matra LR-155 rocket pods could be recommended instead of the CRV-7's but I'm recommending these for the Jaguar) 4. DJRP Digital Joint Recon Pod on the center pylon 5. AIM-65 Maverick with LAU-117 launch rail 6. TERMA pod with it's own special pylon 7. AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pod with it's own special pylon (The TIALD pod was considered but the Sniper pod is more prevalient and I'm recommending the TIALD for the Jaguar) 8. Fuel tanks There are other weapons carried by RAF Harriers but these seem to be the most prevalient. What are your comments? Capt Dave Mason

Hi Gentlemen, First let me introduce myself. I'm a former USAF F-4E pilot and currently a Captain on the MD-11 for World Airways. My day job is to regularly fly re-supply missions into Iraq and Afghanistan in support of OIF and OEF. My hobby is building 1/32 modern jets. I've been building models since 1965 and am a current member of IPMS USA and IPMS Philippines. I work closely with Trumpeter to help develop their 1/32nd scale modern jet kits. I've worked on their EF-2000, the F-14D, the F-18E, the AV-8B, along with many others. Next year they will be releasing many new kits and are requesting any assistance we can offer them. Two of the kits they will be producing are the RAF GR.7 Harrier and the RAF Sepecat GR.1/3 Jaguar. I would like to offer any British modelers that have an interest in helping Trumpeter get these two kits "correct" the opportunity to do so. If you have access to these aircraft or possess a great deal of knowledge regarding these two aircraft please feel free to step forward to help. The information you provide will help make these two kits as accurate as possible. If you are interested in helping send me a PM at my email address below and I'll get you in the loop when questions come up and test shots need to be reviewed. First Question: Attached is the URL for a photo of a GR.7 carrying what appears to be gun pods. But according to many internet sites RAF GR.7 Harriers do not employ gun pods. So what's going on here? Are these just for show? Why? This is very confusing to outsiders like Trumpeter. Why would the Brits be flying around with gun pods with NO guns in them? Why should Trumpeter make a gun pod option if they are not even employed by RAF Harriers? Anyone have an answer? http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images..._GR7_RAF_lg.jpg This is just an example of why they need our help. Cheers, Captain David Mason davidmasonmd11capt@yahoo.com