Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3 Op Corporate Completed

The Harrier has come along nicely. Cockpit fitted and fuselage together.

There was one issue, with the forward undercarrage bay. This is in 2 halves with each being fitted to the intakes and then into each side of the fuselage before thats put together. But i have a gap of about 2mm and i can't see where the issue is, everything else has fitted fine. It won't be visible once on the base but still a bit annoying.

Got all the last bits added including PE.

I found out that this aircraft was one of 4 GR.3's fitted with Blue Eric ECM which was fitted into one of the Aden cannon pobs. So a little bit of scratch building was needed for this though i didn't have much in the way of images to go off, i'm pretty happy with it.

Eveything in the box has been left off to paint. Its now had a primer and the grey coat added. So should be able to mask in a day or so.

Looking good, Bish! The Harrier is one of my favorite aircraft! Did it wear camoflage during the Falklands war? I've seen distant shots but nothing close up. I'm looking forward to seeing your paint job.

Cheers,

Russ

Thanks Russ. Yes, the GR.3's had the wrap around scheme by the time of the conflict, the one on the box is the one i am doing. I know the RN Sea harriers were re-painted on route South removing the white undersides and hi viz markings, i am not sure if anything was done to the RAF Harriers. None of them have the Hi-Viz unit markings you normally see, so these might have been painted over.

Bish,

Is it true that the RAF Harriers had their unit markings removed during the conflict?  I think I had read that somewhere.  If true, it would mean generic looking Harriers save for the aircraft number.

What were typical Harrier loadouts during the war?  Rocket pods and dumb bombs?  In what combinations on what pylons?  Were drop tanks used, or were all the stations used for ordnance?  The reason I ask is that I have Kinetic's 1/48 GR.3 and want to do it as a Falklands aircraft.

BTW RAF wrap around camouflage is one of my favorite paint schemes.

G, i had not read that but it makes sense. All the images i have seen show no unit markings, though pre conflict they seem quite limited anyway. The other marking option in this kit is from 1980 and it only has a small unit badge on the nose.

From what i have found out, the main ordanace was rocket pods ( though they had to use the RN ones as the RAF ones were not compatable with the navy's ships, dumb bombs, BL755 clusters bombs (which is what i am useing) and later in the conflict Paveways. If you notice the box art, the image is carrying sidewainders. I believe they did carry these when they first arrived on the carriers from Ascenion. But once in the conflict zone the GR.3's main role was ground attack with the Sea Harriers giving air cover.

Yes, drop tank were used, for saftey from attack the carriers stayed a long way out. There is also a Vinten camera pod on the centre line (i don't believe this was carried all the time) and the Blue Eric fitted into the Aden pod of 4 aircraft. Thats what i have been able to deduce anyway.

Short update on the Harrier. I got the scheme done at the end of last week. First time doing a wrap around scheme, i found it a bit tricky making sure the masking was right, but i love the result.

Been getting the decals on over the weekend. Got done last night so just a gloss coat before some light weathering.

Wraparound looks great Bish!  Great progress.

Thanks John.

Here are the final pics of the Harrier. After the decals i kust gave it a light flory was then a mat coat. I used Eduard resin BL755 cluster bombs on the outer pylons. The rest are from the kit.

I used a base from Coastal kits. I do like there carrier decks, they are perfect for a flat metal surface. But i am not so keen on these ones are there is no texture. But its the only option for this type of matting. This was used at the FOB set up at San Carlos in May 82. It allowed Harriers and Sea Harriers operating from the carriers to attack Argentinian postions, then re-arm and re-fuel before mounting another attack on route back to the ships. It also meant that aircraft could be on call to provide air support to the ground troops much closer to the front line than operating from sea. The FOB, known as RAF West Wittering to the RAF, was in use from the 2nd of June to the end of hostiolities 10 days later. I only found out about this FOB a few years ago, which is a pity as i had been to San Carlos a couple of times when down south.

I did cut away the printed grass areas and replace with static grass.

Thanks for looking, all comments welcome as always.

Great job,looks great,really like the base too.

Where's Sharkey ??

Very nice Bish.  Really like how that camo turned out and the base is very well done as well.  

Awesome job. Beautiful work.  

This is my favorite iteration of the Harrier.  Great job on this fine example Bish!

Mopar Madness

This is my favorite iteration of the Harrier.  Great job on this fine example Bish!

 

+1!  Lovely little Harrier Bish!

Cheers guys.