Harrier GR7s

[ChocksAway]

I know I have stated on BM that I intend now to build Harriers only in 1/48th scale, but I saw some examples of the 1/144th Revell Harrier GR7 on the web and thought "what the hell?" and bought a couple in my local model shop. After all, they could not take long, they would not take up much space and they would be easy? Hmm, as Meat Loaf sang, two out of three ain't bad! I had my doubts about working in such a small scale - would I be able to see the parts? Could I control the glue? Would I lose most of the parts to the Great Carpet Monster? I could always hope that any donations here would mean I lost fewer of my 1/48th scale parts to the monster. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.

The kit includes options for two aircraft in RAF service - ZD407 of 20® Squadron and ZD404 "Lucy" of the HarDet in Afghanistan. Trouble is, the kit is really more of an AV-8B II Plus to my mind. Close, but no cigar. But certainly closer than some other kits I believe. Now I'm a Harrier expert (3 builds in the last 30 years), I thought I'd have a go at some corrections. That's tongue firmly in cheek by the way. First and simplest was to reduce the length of the tail fin lead-in (which I think is extended on the II Plus to avoid ingestion of the exhaust when the flares are dispensed from the units on the rear fuselage). The nose shape looks like the radar version, so I trimmed it back and altered the angle to make it closer to the GR7/9. I removed the gun pods (rarely carried) and replaced with some made-up plasticard strakes and a blob of filler to mimic the attachment points. I chickened out of adjusting the 100% LERX back to 65% LERX carried by both these examples. The outrigger fairing pylons are included, so that was no problem. The outrigger wheels have to be cut off their legs in order to be placed in the correct wheels-up position at the end of the fairing. I lost one set of the "frogs eyes" to the Great Carpet Monster so I left them off both aircraft. Lastly, I added a pilot by using a dress-making pin (rounded head, "borrowed" from the other half) as the basis for a bone dome and blue-tacked a body around it. Not quite up to close inspection, but a bit better than seeing a flying aircraft with no pilot. I ignored any other possible changes. All decals were included - they really are very impressive - including wing tip edge formation lights and "danger jet blast" ... and here are the results ...

If you've never tried this scale, I'd recommend building at least one model for the experience it gives.

[daz greenwood]

Nice jump jets.

I have built in 1/144 (2 F-14A's)

[Col.]

Nice work! Have one in the stash that might just make it to the work-bench soon after seeing your pair. Knew about the fin intake being too long but thanks for a head-up on the other shape issues.

[Daniel]

They look pretty impressive to me!

Well done.

Dan

[Skii]

Very nice, they look 1/72, not 1/144 !

[Shar2]

They look great Graham.

[jimbuna]

Very nice but I doubt my eyes would allow it these days

[Kev1n]

1/144 scale.....fabulous:)