Falklands War Sea Harrier FRS.1 being readied for a CAP - HMS Invincible 1982

[Johnson]

 Sea Harrier FRS.1 ZA175/004 801 Naval Air Squadron HMS Invincible 1982

 

I started this build last June during the Britmodeller Falklands War 40th Anniversary Group Build.

 

The 1983 ESCI 1/72 Sea Harrier is still the best and most accurate 1/72 FRS.1 on the market, even after 40 years. Detail and panel lines are as good as anything being made now. But, like most kits, not without the odd challenge.

 

Having completed the model during the 40th anniversary year I set out to give it a suitable display base, a small portion of the flight deck on HMS Invincible, and some of the deck equipment that would have been seen during the conflict.

 

A brief summary of what I did, used and modified;

 

The Sea Harrier;

Scratch built cockpit, HUD etc

Instrument panel - Kits World

Martin Baker Mk.10, Ejection Seat - a modified PJ Productions resin seat.

Pitot tube - Master

Eduard AIM-9L Sidewinders and 1000LB Airburst Bomb

 

Deck Equipment;

Vickers Mk2 Deck Tractor - Air Graphic Models (heavily modified)

Deck Crew - Air Graphic Models

Pilot - Aerobonus

Ladder, Intake FOD Guards, tool box, tie-down chains, chocks and tow bar - Scratch built

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The deck crew, 'Maintainers', wear different coloured tabbards that reflect their various trades;

Yellow - Captain of the Flight Deck & Aircraft Director

Green - Engineering Electrical Trades

Blue - Aircraft Handlers

Red - Ordnance

 

Vickers Deck Tractor No.1, 81RN81, HMS Invincible, Falklands TEZ, 1982;

 

As she's firmly attached to the deck, the underside is now hidden, but here's photo from the WIP and some of the cockpit;

 

 

 

 

 

For anyone wanting more details about how this went together, the WIP  is here;

 

I owe a great deal to Nick Greenall and Richard of the IPMS SIG, and all the Britmodellers who encouraged me - Big Thanks!

 

Cheers!

[bigbadbadge]

Fantastic Charlie,  this is a stunning diorama,  great work all round .

Chris

[AntPhillips]

Beautiful build, that's one to be proud of.

[ColinChipmunkfan]

I have to agree, an excellent model and diorama expertly finished.

[PatG]

Wow, you've really done all the veterans proud with this.

 

Quite stunning for the scale.

 

Pat.

[Richard E]

Excellent - not sure what else to add to that other than to say it's been a pleasure to follow your build Charlie.

[Martin1962]

That's beautiful. Love the diorama in general and what you've done with the cockpit. I notice the engine nozzles are also really well rendered. They were an issue with mine with that awful join line. Nice one.

[Hopesdaddy]

Beautiful diorama, the build looks excellent and your paint work is superb

[AliGauld]

A stunner,

Magnificent stuff.

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[georgeusa]

First, it is a great build and finish of the Harrier.  Second, the diorama you put together for the plane is magnificent.  Really gives the impression of a Harrier being readied for a flight.  Thanks for sharing.

[Linus]

Hi Johnson,

really super model and setting, yes Esci is a kit that compares very well even with the current kits!!!

Compliments!!!

[CJP]

Very nice SHAR and diorama - like the way you have done the flight deck.

CJP

[SteveMc]

That is a superb build all round Charlie. Very nicely done.

[Zephyr91]

Only one word for that. Stunning.  And Awesome; no that's 2 words.  Stunning and awesome.  3 words  😁.........oh. you get the gist.

 

Well done.

 

Rob

[Johnson]

This must be only my 2nd RFI, so didn't know what to expect!

 

Many thanks everyone for your kind comments. Very glad you like the SHAR and the base, I started the Sea Harrier last June, so this must be my longest ever build.

 

Have a great weekend all, happy modelling!

 

 

 

 

 

[Alpha Delta 210]

I endorse all the above - well done!

[NellyV]

Superb!

[AlxBNE]

Really great diorama, lovely way to show off a really high quality build.

Excellent results all round.

[F-32]

Love it, that's really nice work

[neilspen]

Bravo Zulu. An excellent scene. The accessories are as good as the Sea Harrrier. The Deck Tractor modification was well worth it. The towing arm is brilliant. I have really enjoyed it. 

[RichieW]

Superb. It just needs a figure of Brian Hanrahan, microphone in hand, ready to utter his immortal phrase "I counted them all out and I counted them all back."

 

It's such a good, evocative  diorama it brought that news report straight back into my mind. 

 

Richie

[Ngantek]

Fantastic work! The Shar itself is beautifully done, but the work on the diorama is really stunning. Love it!

 

Andy

[Johnson]

 

10 hours ago, RichieW said:

It just needs a figure of Brian Hanrahan, microphone in hand, ready to utter his immortal phrase "I counted them all out and I counted them all back."

 

It's such a good, evocative  diorama it brought that news report straight back into my mind. 

 

Thanks Richie!

 

Brian Hanrahan with cameramen Bernard Hesketh and John Jockel and ITN’s Michael Nicholson (all now sadly gone) were also heroes of the conflict.

 

And thank you all again for your support, reactions, encouragement and kind comments on the build. Certainly makes the time spent seem worthwhile.

 

Cheers,

[kev67]

Had this kit when it came out, although I never built it I remember it was very nicely moulded, I have done the Airfix FRS1 which is not that bad although has its inaccuracies mentioned in other forums.

[Keeff]

In 1/72 scale, the kevel of detail is awesome!  The flight deck and crew put the aircraft in it's natural habitat and do it justice. 👏👏

 

Keith 😁 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Keeff