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And finally... 100 Years #5 - BAE Harrier GR7


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Hi All

 

So now we come to the one we've all been waiting for, the LAST course in this feast of mediocrity and inaccuracy :yahoo:

 

DSCF6179.jpg

 

First impressions are good, with sturdy sprues, several optional parts, and a two part canopy that could be set open through choice and not despair.

 

DSCF6180.jpg

 

But before I begin, I'd just like some confirmation that this IS a GR7?

 

DSCF6182.jpg

 

The nose section called for is the second one, but which of these are needed, 69 and 70 or (74+75) and (76+77)?

 

DSCF6183.jpg

 

 

I'm off to wander through the Walkaround pages

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

 

 

Edited by ProfSparks
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Hi All

 

The good news is, as it looks like it's bag of A04039, we get a cockpit!

 

The alternative good news is that it's not particularly representative of the aircraft in question <_<

DSCF6191.jpg

 

DSCF6192.jpg

 

DSCF6193.jpg

 

Is that a Martin Baker Mk12?

eject12.jpg

 

 

 

Anyhoo, as I'd like to have it with the canopy open, and as it's the last hurrah, I'd like to do a bit more than just bang it together, perhaps indulge in some detailing.

 

Out with the saw (I love that saw now :wub:)

DSCF6194.jpg

 

And it's starting to look better already

DSCF6195.jpg

 

I think I might have the start of a Cunning Plan! ('though we all know how the last one with the Lynx panned out :violin:)

 

I figure I can get the fuselage together without any internal fittings, then insert them all after

DSCF6208.jpg

 

DSCF6209.jpg

 

It's not got the best location guides for the cockpit, and the gaps between the cockpit tub and the side walls will be covered by the side control panels (or whatever they're called?)

 

Any thoughts on this foolhardy venture?

 

I'm away for a couple of days to dwell on the potential repercussions...

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

Edited by ProfSparks
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Hi All

 

Moving on, the intake ducting is a relaxed fit

DSCF6217.jpg

 

And has a pronounced lip

DSCF6222.jpg

 

Also, the intakes could do with some work too.

DSCF6218.jpg

 

A bit of file action does the ducting (one half done)

DSCF6223.jpg

 

I'd like those flaps flusher, so I sanded down the backing ring

DSCF6219.jpg

 

From photos of parked up aircraft, it looks like the top three or four flaps are regularly depressed, so out with the saw again

DSCF6221.jpg

 

I'm going to fit small squares to represent the open vents

DSCF6224.jpg

 

But it looked odd with the molded ones, so off they came again

DSCF6226.jpg

 

And I soon had a pair of these

DSCF6225.jpg

 

DSCF6227.jpg

 

Fettling, filling, distance and distraction should make them blend right in.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

Edited by ProfSparks
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Hi All

 

Been doing significant cleaning up of mould lines, and a couple of prep assemblies before taking the plunge to glue the halfs together.

 

The required nose is slightly off-putting, but fortunately the kit includes four nose options, one of which I'm hoping to modify with some thin rod

DSCF6229.jpg

 

DSCF6230.jpg

 

DSCF6231.jpg

 

DSCF6232.jpg

 

DSCF6233.jpg

 

They're still a bit long, but I don't want to fix them until I can have the nose on and see how they look.

 

If it does all go South, at least I'll still have the original.

 

Another area I want to work on (there are quite a few) are the jet nozzles

DSCF6236.jpg

 

DSCF6235.jpg

 

It's a bit blurry, but the interior vanes are pants, and I'll never be able to smooth them.

 

So, off they come and I'll try to replace them with some thin card

DSCF6237.jpg

 

 

Thso, on with glueing the main body

DSCF6238.jpg

 

It's going to have to be in stages, but there's plenty of other parts to fix while it sets.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

Edited by ProfSparks
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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi All

 

Been quite sporadic here with just bits and pieces.

 

Got the wings together

DSCF6239.jpg

 

The outriggers looked a bit clunky with the wheels moulded solid, so I'm going to cut them off and cut them out.

DSCF6240.jpg

 

Not wanting to potentially ruin the legs, I'm going to cut the wheels from the legs that are supplied in the stowed position

DSCF6241.jpg

 

A couple of minutes with a Stanley blade and it's getting close

DSCF6242.jpg

 

DSCF6243.jpg

 

A touch of sanding, and they're not too bad at all

DSCF6245.jpg

 

 

With the body set, I gave it and the intake parts a coat of white undercoat (yes Vallejo again, but about a gallon came with a large lot of mixed Model Air that I'm itching to try)

DSCF6246.jpg

 

Plenty of filler for the plenty gaps, and here it is with some of the multitude of bombs, rockets, tanks and pylons that I have been wading through with a sanding stick and Micro Sol

DSCF6249.jpg

 

Back to the nose, the spikes got shortened and fitted

DSCF6250.jpg

 

DSCF6253.jpg

 

DSCF6252.jpg

 

DSCF6254.jpg

 

I've run in some liquid cement round the join to see if it will blend in the curve a bit. I'll give it a bead of filler next opportunity.

 

 

Speaking of filler, this Plastic Putty looks and acts a bit like Cottage Cheese, never getting the smooth surface even after repeated applications and wiping / wet sanding / dry sanding etc etc.

 

I'm going to have to start experimenting with other types.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

 

 

Edited by ProfSparks
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Hi All

 

So, postimage.

 

What's one to do?

 

 

Anyhoo, I've eventually got some paint on the big bits

DSCF6257.jpg

 

Let's see how long the .CC site lasts.

 

 

Comments and suggestions on regaining the will to link

 

Cheers

Steve

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Hi All

 

Continuing on with the jet nozzles, the vanes were replaced with thin card and they were given a couple of coats of Silver 11, mixed with Black 33 and that Antique Bronze 117!

DSCF6259.jpg

 

I also started on the outriggers and removed the wheels

DSCF6261.jpg

 

I got the upper surfaces covered too

DSCF6263.jpg

 

DSCF6264.jpg

 

It doesn't look as grainy in real life, and will be matt coated.

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

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Looks like you've been experiencing the same image problems as myself with Postimage and like you, I've been busy remaking links this evening.

Of what I can see, it's looking good but you'll have to forgive me as I don't know what kit it is, I think it's 1/72?

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Hi All

 

Got the links reset for this thread.

 

Yay.

 

10 hours ago, Courageous said:

Looks like you've been experiencing the same image problems as myself with Postimage and like you, I've been busy remaking links this evening.

Of what I can see, it's looking good but you'll have to forgive me as I don't know what kit it is, I think it's 1/72?

Thanks, yes it's 1/72. I'm on the final labour from the "100 Years Of Naval Aviation Collection" using the supplied paint pots with the cheapest airbrush from eBay.

 

It all started as a way of experimenting without too much cost, and has turned into a bit of a quest.

 

Not far to go now!

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

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Hi All

 

Got the stickers on, just waiting for a matt coat

DSCF6265.jpg

 

Those outrigger wheels came out ok, a bit gnarley, but acceptable at this stage, along with the main gear

DSCF6267.jpg

 

I'm hoping to get it all together this week and move on :hobbyhorse:

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

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Hi All

 

In order to get all the wheels touching the ground, I fitted the nose and outriggers, then shaved a touch off the main strut to get them sitting flush

DSCF6269.jpg

 

DSCF6268.jpg

 

Then came the fitting of all those hanging down parts, starting with the centre line and working outwards

DSCF6270.jpg

 

Those exhaust vents turned out ok!

DSCF6271.jpg

 

DSCF6275.jpg

 

Pity they mostly will be hidden within the forest of pylons and bombs etc

DSCF6276.jpg

 

Never mind, that's where she's staying until I pluck up the courage to turn her over and see what drops off...

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

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Hi All

 

Nothing fell off!

DSCF6277.jpg

 

I got the seat in, and the display that I lined with black marker pen

DSCF6278.jpg

 

I coiled a bit of wire round a pin

DSCF6279.jpg

 

Dipped it in black paint

DSCF6280.jpg

 

And it became that little tube/vane thing on the nose

DSCF6296.jpg

 

Tails on

DSCF6297.jpg

 

And I'm calling it DONE :elephant:

 

DSCF6298.jpg

 

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Feels like I've been on this set for 100 Years :clif:

 

 

Anyhoo, I'll try for some outside shots when it stops blowing a gale.

 

Thanks to everyone for putting up with my ineptitude, plenty more where that came from!

 

 

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

Cheers

Steve

 

 

 

 

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