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HS Harrier GR.1, XV748, No. 1 Squadron, RAF Wittering, 1970


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In my opinion the Harrier was one of the greatest aircraft of all time, with its revolutionary design and brilliant (British) engineering leading the way which has only now been followed by the costly, troubled and prohibitively expensive F-35. Not only did the Harrier serve with distinction for over 40 years, it helped ensure the freedom of UK citizens on the Falklands and fought for freedom in the middle east, before our short-sighted, penny-pinching and ignorant politicians prematurely retired what is still a vastly capable aircraft.

 

One of the first batch of Harriers to enter service, XV748 was delivered to the RAF's Harrier OCU in May 1969, before transferring to number 1 squadron at Wittering. It was converted to a GR.3 in July 1974, and survives to this day at the Yorkshire air museum, Elvington.

 

This new tool Airfix kit is absolutely superb, and highly recommended! Parts fit together really well and the attention to detail and accuracy is fantastic. The model is built OOB except for the slight serial change to represent a Harrier that still survives. (If anyone knows what tail code XV748 wore with 1 squadron please can you let me know?!)

 

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30 minutes ago, Lord Riot said:

In my opinion the Harrier was one of the greatest aircraft of all time, with its revolutionary design and brilliant (British) engineering leading the way which has only now been followed by the costly, troubled and prohibitively expensive F-35. Not only did the Harrier serve with distinction for over 40 years, it helped ensure the freedom of UK citizens on the Falklands and fought for freedom in the middle east, before our short-sighted, penny-pinching and ignorant politicians prematurely retired what is still a vastly capable aircraft.

 

1

Couldn't agree more, an incredible aircraft. Lovely model by the way.

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Wonderful job there!

 

Your rate of production is amazing. I'm still fiddling with my Airfix Sabre which I started as a result of watching you do that one a few weeks back. Keep going, your influence is good!

 

While I was about to catch up on the WIP for the Harrier I came across the Hornet. Will follow that too!

 

Terry

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As this a 'ready for inspection' thread, I hope you don't mind me mentioning that when the Harriers were first delivered with red/white/blue roundels, as yours is, they

were painted in a high gloss finish. Might I suggest a coat of gloss laquer is given to your model to give it an overall finish for the period?  Around 1972, the 'tone-down' began with the whitre removed from the national markings and the aircraft receiving a matt finish.  Other than that, well done.

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I did wonder about that, and hoped satin would be glossy enough allowing for scale?

 

I've never used gloss laquer, can it be applied as a spray? Does it damage decals?

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I agree with you about the F35 being to costly. They’re trying to make one plane do the jobs of everything from an A10 to a Buff.  Much better to have cheaper, sturdier, more specialised kites

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On 6/13/2018 at 3:29 PM, AMB said:

As this a 'ready for inspection' thread, I hope you don't mind me mentioning that when the Harriers were first delivered with red/white/blue roundels, as yours is, they

were painted in a high gloss finish. Might I suggest a coat of gloss laquer is given to your model to give it an overall finish for the period?  Around 1972, the 'tone-down' began with the whitre removed from the national markings and the aircraft receiving a matt finish.  Other than that, well done.

Nice Harrier chap.  Always a great looking  aircraft.

 

Anybody know what the rational was behind the gloss finish ? 

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17 minutes ago, Uncle Pete said:

I agree with you about the F35 being to costly. They’re trying to make one plane do the jobs of everything from an A10 to a Buff.  Much better to have cheaper, sturdier, more specialised kites

Yes it is expensive, but it is the way to go if we want to be at the front end of attempts to sort out the enemies of the HM's Goverment in the future.  

 

And for only the three hundredth time on BM, it needs to be repeated there is not enough money in the UK Defence budget, we cannot afford to buy, fly and support a number of different platforms in an odd game of 'Fantasy Air Arm' kind of way.  

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4 hours ago, PLC1966 said:

Nice Harrier chap.  Always a great looking  aircraft.

 

Anybody know what the rational was behind the gloss finish ? 

I think ALL post-war RAF aircraft were initially delivered in a gloss finish, which would be a natural protection against weather and aid performance. It was around 1972-73 that they decided to tone tone all the tactical types in camouflage for operational reasons,

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15 hours ago, AMB said:

I think ALL post-war RAF aircraft were initially delivered in a gloss finish, which would be a natural protection against weather and aid performance. It was around 1972-73 that they decided to tone tone all the tactical types in camouflage for operational reasons,

As a child of the matt paint cold war, it just looks odd.  The Gate Guardian Phantom at Conz is in gloss and it just does not right.  I guess weather protection is right, though.

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