gengriz Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 (edited) This project still has a little way to go, but March 2021 marks 40 years since I joined HMS HERMES as a wide eyed Midshipman. Sadly, 2021 also sees the end of her, as the INS VIRAAT is dismantled at Gujarat Ship Breakers. I've alread posted pictures of my HERMES Wessex V, now its the SHAR's turn with this pair representing the arrival of her first Sea Harriers in 1981, and the departure of her last Sea Harriers in 2016. This first aircraft is FRS.1 XZ450 of 800 Sqn and is the ESCI kit with Sky (and other) decals and ladder from a Hasegawa kit, plus a Pavla seat. It was one of the first operational aircraft to land on the ship, an event that I remember well. Sadly this is also the aircraft in which Lt Nick Taylor RN was shot down by anti aircraft fire and killed on 4th May 1982, whilst attacking Goose Green airstrip. The second aircraft is FRS.51 LUSH IN617 of 300 Indian Naval Air Sqn "White Tigers", based onboard INS VIRAAT (or Giant) in 2016 for her decommissioning ceremony. This was a LUSH upgraded aircraft with Elbit radar and capable of carrying Rafael Derby missiles as well as MBDA Magic. It is the Fujimi kit, with a mix of Italeri kit and home made decals and scratch built Derby missiles. To complete the project, I have an 814 Sea King HAS.1 currently on the stocks, ready to join my other HERMES SHAR, plus the Wessex, Buccaneer and Scimitar that I have already built. Depending on progress, a few more Wessexes and a Sea Vixen may yet join them, but, so many models to build, so little time! Edited March 21, 2021 by gengriz 39 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Sprog! HMS Hermes when still a flat-top 1974 on our arrival at Malta. Lovely SHAR builds there and very nostalgic, they take me back to my time at Yeovilton. MIke 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gengriz Posted March 21, 2021 Author Share Posted March 21, 2021 (edited) You will be happy to know that my 814 Sea King will be in 1974 markings, also from the Cyprus evacuation timescale like the Wessex (ie with a big Union Flag). I have cobbled together a set of markings for XV712 / (2)73 FredT Edited March 21, 2021 by gengriz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Two stunning Shar's fred beautifully finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticsurgeon Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Excellent builds as usual Fred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booty003 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Lovely pair of SHAR's. The RN is a beauty in that classic scheme. I need to build one of them myself some day. This Booty was only 1 when the old sweat @bootneck was kicking around in '74.....!!! 😅 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Wow a lovely pair of SHARs, great work Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Superb work, they both look really good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 1 hour ago, bootneck said: Sprog! HMS Hermes when still a flat-top 1974 on our arrival at Malta. Lovely SHAR builds there and very nostalgic, they take me back to my time at Yeovilton. MIke Flat top without catapults etc ....just saying ....not sure how a catpulted Wessex V would fly 🤔 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootneck Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Quickest way to fold the blades! Catapults had gone by then, along with the Tot. I was in when they were needing us, not just feeding us! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphin38 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Great pair of SHARs, well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Fabulous pair of Sea Harriers. Especially like the 800 sqn machine in its original high viz scheme. Great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Very nice Fred,.... two great models,...... the 800 NAS one wears the best SHAR scheme in my opinion,..... but I have quite fancied modelling the low viz Indian aircraft as I like the look of those too. It i a nice tribute to Nick Taylor and of course the old Hermes,..... such a shae she couldn`t be saved. Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Aer Lingus Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Fantastic idea two beautiful models very nicely done Kudos to you thanks for sharing E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanm Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Very nice - sad to hear the news of Hermes' demise. I remember seeing her anchored off Rosyth a while after the Falklands conflict - an impressive sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F7F3p Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 What colours did you use for the Indian Navy aircraft as i am building one from the Kinetic FRS1 kit at the moment and wish to do the same scheme thanks Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gengriz Posted October 23, 2021 Author Share Posted October 23, 2021 Hi Simon - it was Humbrol 127. Fredt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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