Falklands/Malvinas War 30th Anniversary GB

Hi there guys, if it's not too late to get involved I would like to throw my hat into the ring for this one.

I have the Airfix 72nd scale FRS.1 Sea Harrier along with a bunch of Pavla resin goodies which I will be doing as XZ457 from Operation Corporate.

This photo was apparently taken shortly after the task force's return from the south Atlantic and the three kill marking (unfortunately) were not present during the conflict.  Look carefully and you can see where the 899 Squadron marking on the tail have been painted over in EDSG.

Dupes I may have some shots that can be of help, I'll check the references when I get home tonight.

Good to hear from you Darren. Does the Airfix one rate better than the Italeri ?

Cheers

Tony

dupes, nice to have you on board, haven't seen you around in ages, i believe you have been having internet problems. Have missed your GB's.

Glad someone decided to do some Armour, though for this war the choice is limited.

As for the Phantom, it can be included in this GB if you can find the right mark. The GB does include anything that has operated down here in the 30 years since the war as well as the war itself. So as well as the phanton this woul;d include Tornados and Typhoons. Theres a Phantom on static display out side the airport terminal here, i am gouing to try and get some photos when i get the chance.

(This is my 5-minute "kids on March break" session!)

Hey darson, I'm adding your Sea Harrier to the lineup right now. I'll be starting off with the same one actually - It just seemed appropriate that I did an Airfix kit for this one, then I spotted the new-tooling. Fate I tell you! Good eye with the painted over sqn marking on the tail, I'd never noticed that before. I may try to do a little pre-shading work to try to duplicate the effect.

Bish

dupes, nice to have you on board, haven't seen you around in ages, i believe you have been having internet problems. Have missed your GB's.

Thanks man! Full long-winded description of my internet woes is over in the "welcome" section.

 

Bish

As for the Phantom, it can be included in this GB if you can find the right mark. The GB does include anything that has operated down here in the 30 years since the war as well as the war itself. So as well as the phanton this woul;d include Tornados and Typhoons. Theres a Phantom on static display out side the airport terminal here, i am gouing to try and get some photos when i get the chance.

Hmmm...Typhoons, eh? I wonder if the Revell 1/32 has any British markings inside. I need to do a bit of investigating.

As for the Phantom, it's definitely only Mk.II's, correct?

At minute 11:00 I think is a scimitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo0BNYGgEV4

 

Dupes here is a shot of the Phantom FGR.2 which is now a gate guard at the airport in the Falklands

Tony it's good to be back and building again, as for the Airfix kit it's the new tool and looks pretty good.  It's weakest point are the heavy panel lines which I'll try and minimise with a few coats of primer.

Vance if you are doing a Harrier in EDSG don't forget they were supplied in a scheme of EDSG uppers over white lower fuselage and under the wings.  These aircraft were all over painted in an overall EDSG low viz scheme on deployment. 

If you look carefully at the photo below you will see that the undersides look lighter that the rest of the paint scheme.  This should be easy enough to replicate with a couple of drops of white to the paint mix.

Cheers

Darson -- well spotted! I have the same kit on its way too, so will bear that in mind.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Azorean - can't watch that Youtube video here, but I'll check it out when I can get in range of some free wi-fi.

Darson - nice pic! Unfortunately, both of mine are Mk.I's...going to have to find someone to trade with me.

Found a writeup of "Scorpion Colors" in a recent issue of Scale Military Modeler International. The FV101 was the other AFV fighting alongside the Scimitar. There's some decent shots in there (all black and white, unfortunately) and a couple of color plates - so at least I've got a general idea of what it should look like markings-wise, and a definite color scheme to shoot for. Black stripes over dark green - would there be a specific dark green that I should be looking for? Not too hard to eyeball I don't think if that data isn't readily available. The weathering was pretty heavy anyway - going to be more dirt and dust colored than anything!

Dupes you've probable already seen these but this is all I could come up with from my references.

As far as color goes I reckon that good old Tam NATO Green & NATO Black should be perfect.  Also If memory serves me correct, the AFV Scimitar is of a later configured vehicle, so if accuracy is your game, you may want to do some research.

Cheers

• Bison Decals give some color reference
• http://www.angelfire.com/pro/bison/35006.html

 

Azorean - I checked out that Bison sheet initially...unfortunately, if you look closely, their color references are "dark green" and "black". Heh.

Darson - I don't have those! A couple of them are definitely Scorpions vice Scimitars (shorter, larger caliber gun), but as far as paint schemes/markings/loadouts these are a treasure trove. Thanks man!

I figured the Tamiya NATO colors would pan out, just wasn't sure what year those became standardized colors, and when they might have been applied by the Brits.

dupes, i will go and check it out when i have a bit of time. And ye, FRG.2 Phantoms down here.

darson, nice photo, did you find that on line. I pass that every day on the way to work

Bish - that's be great!

Darson - meant to mention this earlier in response to your comment about early/late variant Scimitars. There's a resin hull in the box that came with the kit when I bought it - no instructions (of course!), wrapped in a plastic baggie that someone wrote on in marker that has long since faded away. I BELIEVE that it says "early version". Or maybe "early conversion"? I'll have to see what the differences are, and see if I can make it fit.

Just started the G.r.3 the other night (photos when i have something tangible) Holy mother of pus its a terrible kit. Leading edges arent even straight. Cockpit is a pilot and a couple of flat bits to hold him in (i think its meant to be a seat) I think as long as i mount it on a stand it should come out ok though. Lots of putty. Also ill be silvering the inside of the canopy to hide ther lack of detail. Make it a nice desk model.

That interesting about the Scimiter, i have no idea what the differance would be, but i am guessing it must be minor. And i would guess that any used in the Falklands would be early versions.

Scorpiomikey I feel your pain, I've just made a start on my Airfix SHAR (new tool) and it's bloody woeful.  The cockpit on mine is being completely replaced by a resin one but the kit one is exactly as you describe and in addition the pilot figure is wearing WWII flying gear.

I did a dry fit of the wings to the fuselage last night and the gaps are huge, this is going to need a bucket load of filler.

Bish I got that photo of the FGR.2 from a guy I know on another site who visited the Falklands a while ago.

Cheers

Bish

like you say, loads of time. had am PM from a guy who i assume is American and seems to be big into the falklands. Seems to have a few kits, including vehicles. So hopeing he will join the band.

I am the Yank referred to here by Bish.  Sorry for the long delay in getting involved in this, but recently became a grandfather for the first time and had a bout of ill health, but am ready to go now.  I have been fascinated with the Falklands War shortly after it ended-was busy with final exams in college(VMI) and USAF officer training/commissioning while it was in progress.  I instantly and forever became a fan of anything "modern" British, especially Land Rovers and DPM uniforms (still wear an SAS smock everywhere).  To keep things short for now, I have quite a bit of Falklands related kits, decals and reference material available, so it is hard for me to figure out what to commit to.  For now, I plan on doing a 1/72 HAR 3 'Grey Whale' XZ 592 of No. 202 SQN,late 1982 ; 1/35 Lightweight Land Rover from Firing Line; 1-ton Land Rover FC 101 from Firing Line.  The Land Rovers may be "common", but I have pictures of them during the campaign-along with other versions as well-though probably relegated to the rear areas in Port San Carlos.  Would like to do a version of the Agusta A109 in Royal Marine colours after being captured from Argentina and before being acquired by the AAC for SAS use if I could find the old Revell/Germany kit 04456.  Also have several Falklands related figures in 54 and 120mm  I would like to do if I can get them to look decent.  Regards to all involved for now; am glad to see this topic getting the attention it deserves.     

Glad you posted on here. In regards to the land rovers, you could always do one that running around here now, as of course this GB includes anything from the Falklands in the 30 years since the war. There are no 1 tonners here now but plenty of lightweight ones. If you can post a pic of the kit, i will get the details of one thats here, such as VRN. Also, there are a few BV 206's down here that are used out on the ranges. And it would be great to see some figures for this GB.

Gotcha SPOOK - welcome aboard. I've added your first three subjects to the build list at the start of this thread.

darson

Scorpiomikey I feel your pain, I've just made a start on my Airfix SHAR (new tool) and it's bloody woeful.  The cockpit on mine is being completely replaced by a resin one but the kit one is exactly as you describe and in addition the pilot figure is wearing WWII flying gear.

I did a dry fit of the wings to the fuselage last night and the gaps are huge, this is going to need a bucket load of filler.

Mikey - what's up with the cockpit?? Is it a detail issue or just a fit issue?? I just want something that resembles a Harrier in my collection so I'm not sweating details so long as it "looks right to me", and fits. Gaps? On an Airfix kit... no way!! Don't forget, we didn't pay Tamiya $$ for those little guys.

VanceCrozier

Gaps? On an Airfix kit... no way!! Don't forget, we didn't pay Tamiya $$ for those little guys.

Lol! Yeah you are right of course, but as this is one of Airfix's new kits I was hoping for a little better, silly me . 

Anyway, at the moment I am wrestling the Pavla resin front office into place which is requiring some fairly substantial surgery to the Airfix fuselage halves.  Once I have it basically sitting in the right place I'll paint up the resin and post some photos.

Spook I'll be looking forward to checking out that Seaking HAR-3.  Was that one of the SAR birds that was over painted dark sea grey over its normal yellow scheme?

:::EDIT:::  I can't spell

Cheers

VanceCrozier

 

 

Mikey - what's up with the cockpit?? Is it a detail issue or just a fit issue?? I just want something that resembles a Harrier in my collection so I'm not sweating details so long as it "looks right to me", and fits. Gaps? On an Airfix kit... no way!! Don't forget, we didn't pay Tamiya $$ for those little guys.

What cockpit? I got a blob with arms and legs and a helmet. And something that vaguely resembles a generic ejection seat. The kit i got was the "Gift Pack" that came with glue, brushes and paints. Buckets of flash. The wing halves dont fit together. No gear bays to speak of (doing it gear up. got the doors in and ill be using half a tube of filler to fill the resultant holes) Super soft detail with raised panel lines. Overall shape....it looks like a harrier g.r.3. Certainly wouldn't get mistaken for a skyhawk.

Scorpiomikey

 

 

What cockpit? I got a blob with arms and legs and a helmet. And something that vaguely resembles a generic ejection seat. The kit i got was the "Gift Pack" that came with glue, brushes and paints. Buckets of flash. The wing halves dont fit together. No gear bays to speak of (doing it gear up. got the doors in and ill be using half a tube of filler to fill the resultant holes) Super soft detail with raised panel lines. Overall shape....it looks like a harrier g.r.3. Certainly wouldn't get mistaken for a skyhawk.

Ahhh, so you've got one of the older kits. Have they released a new-tool Harrier GR3?

 

darson

Lol! Yeah you are right of course, but as this is one of Airfix's new kits I was hoping for a little better, silly me ...

Well it's better than a blob sitting on a bench seat. (see Scorpiomikey's older kit!)

My Twin Otter is waiting at start line!

Darren-You are correct; I plan on building the "Grey Whale" version of  No.202 Sqdn., late 1982 to start with--thanks to Modeldecal sheet  No.71, using a Revell/Germany kit.  Found an aeroguide book many years ago for $5 that has some wonderful colour and inerior pictures of the HAR3 version in both colour schemes.    I also have enough kits/conversions/decals to also do a yellow HAR3 and an HC4 relating to the Falklands as well;  will just have to see how far I can get!!  Thank you for your interest; I hope I can do it justice!  Doug Burch (USAFSPOOK) 

For what it is worth for you guys building FRS1s, I built the ESCI 1/72 kit years ago and enjoyed the 1-piece upper wing assembly; the biggest problem with the kit was the basic cockpit and the closed blow-in doors--just like every other kit.  I "opened" my doors with a file and X-acto knife--what a pain but it sure makes a difference!  I was seriously contemplating buying the new Airfix kit, but sounds like I'd be better off getting another ESCI kit from E-Bay.  If anybody needs specific markings for their 1/72 FRS1s, I have several modeldecal sheets that cover just about any Sea Harrier from the conflict and will be glad to provide what I can for the price of a "Thanks".  I will never need them all! 

Hi all,

I've been following comments on the "new" Airfix Sea Harrier with interest, and I must say, they don't resemble the online reviews (don't have the URLs handy, I'm afraid...) which described the new tooling as having excellent cockpit and wheel well detail. I guess I'll find out when mine arrives!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

did fearless go? if so iv got a 1/600 jobbie that needs building

iv also got a 1/72 frs1 harrier

Thunderbolt379

described the new tooling as having excellent cockpit and wheel well detail.

Muahahaha, excellent cockpit hmm I think not Mike.  The front office contains a rudimentary bang seat which could be dressed up a bit but is certainly passable.  The sidewalls and consoles are both blank, but there is a decal for the IP.  All in all this is not bad in 72nd scale with the cockpit closed but that’s as kind as I’m going to be.

The detail on the fuselage and wings is very heavy there's no getting around it, it looks like the Matchbox panel engraver has found a new how at Airfix.  The fit of the one piece wings is bloody tight underneath but leaves huge gaps fore and aft of the wing section.  Also the lower wing insert is very short at the end leaving a large gap.  The detail in the wheel wells is good but there is an impossible to remove ejector pin mark in the middle of the front gear well. 

On the plus side the aux inlet doors can be modelled oped or closed (YAY) and the ordinance looks good for the scale.  The airbrake is nicely detailed on the inside but I haven't gotten around to dry fitting this as yet.

I would definitely pay almost any money for a state of the art Hasegawa FRS.1 Harrier in 1/48th btw.

Doug many thanks on the offer of decals but from my perspective the Airfix sheet is very nice indeed and one of the best things about the kit.

Cheers all