Falklands War 40th Anniversary GB

You'll soon be getting paint on there frank, nice progress.

Got started on my 1/72 Airfix A-4Q

John

She's assembled and putty on a few spots.

John

Fast work there John, looks good.

Getting closer to paint. I've applied the Eduard canopy mask and have done some gap filling. All in all, for a kit that's 38 years old, this Harrier has gone together pretty nicely. The fit has been generally good. Although the detail is raised, it's still very petite. From the research I've done, the typical loadout for Harriers during the Falklands was two long range tanks, two Sidewinders, and maybe a 1000 lb bomb. This one won't have a bomb on the centerline because the finished airplane will be on an Aurora-style display stand.

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I'm still looking for a follow-up to this build so I'm open to suggestions. Maybe something Argentine to balance the display on the shelf.

Comng on nicely frank. I know the GR.3's carried paveways, not sure about the RN versions.

Thanks, Bish. A little more progress today. I finished grinding the hole for the Aurora display stand. When the rain finally stops in a couple of days, I'll go out on the patio and shoot some primer and get ready for the Extra Dark Sea Gray camouflage.

Looks nice on that stand frank, look forward to seeing some paint on.

Finally! Sunshine and dry weather. I was able to get out on the patio and shoot some primer on the Harrier this morning. White Stynyl Rez. Tomorrow I'll wet sand the primer and get ready for the Extra Dark Sea Gray. This has been a fast, simple build.

Has been a quick one frank, and not to much masking to do.

Applied the Gunze Extra Dark Sea Gray this morning after some Flat Black pre-shading. Pretty simple. I'll let the paint cure overnight then mask the nose for some black in the morning. So, that's where we are.

Coming on nicely there frank.

Thanks, Bish. Well, here's the finished product. 801 Squadron Harrier, HMS Invincible, Falklands, 1982. The kit is typical Airfix of the 80s, raised panel lines and details. The parts fit was OK. The clear parts OK. The decals were OK. I know these airplanes didn't carry the checkerboard tail into combat but the overall extra dark sea gray needed something to break up the camouflage color. These airplanes were painted aboard ship on the way to the South Atlantic which must have been no fun. The kit decals worked well with Micro Sol but they are a little out of register. The paint and decals are sealed with Alclad Klear Kote Light Sheen. Obviously there are better kits of the Harrier available today but I'm fine with this build. It looks good on the shelf and I like that it is posed in flight. Jets just look nice posed in flight.

Hasegawa had an Argentine A-4 Skyhawk kit about the same time as this Airfix kit. I'd like to find one for this group build.

Thats come out relly well frank, great job on the old kit. Lovely colours and really like the weathering. And well done, first to have a finishe build up. Will get you on the roster. And will be happy to add the A-4 if you can get hold of it.

Thanks, Bish. The hunt for an A-4 is ongoing.

Frank, love your Harrier.  Awesome job. When you find that A4, I'm sure it will turn out just as awesome.

It looks great, Frank, and certainly worthy of a well done!

Thanks, everyone. The Harrier is an unusual build for me because I just don't build jets. What I like about these group builds is the topic of the build causes me to build models I tend to avoid. Thanks again, Bish. The group builds that you host are always about very interesting topics.

Hey guys!  Finally got some time at the bench.  Great work on that Harrier btw. 

I had reservations using the Kitty Hawk kit.  Seem to be hit or miss for me and many others I understand.  Carefull fitting and time taken has got me off to a decent start.  The kit came with a basic engine which won't be seen so I'm not going to do anything with it.  The cockpit is done save a wash, the wheel bays are together and the tail and one wing.  No real issues so far and I am enjoying it.  Should be able to start buttoning things up tonite and I hope the fit continues to be reasonable.

P1012059 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012060 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012064 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012065 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012068 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012069 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012070 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012072 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012073 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

P1012071 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

Till tomorrow!

Looks like it has some nice detail there Tim, pit is looking good.

Bish, 

Great idea for a GB! I've been lurking for a bit.

I've been resisting asking to join, but I've always wanted to build a Vulcan....

FotoFrank, Nice Sea Harrier!

Be gla to have you on board Mach.

Tim (Caveman), have you determined if there is a way to retract the refueling probe on the nose of the Super Etendard kit? A couple of reviews I have read say the probe is fixed extended. I have been thinking about an A-4 Skyhawk or a Mirage III for a second build but finding markings hasn't been easy. I may go for this Kitty Hawk kit just because it has Falklands markings for the aircraft.

Bish,

I found this yesterday (May 2nd) at my local hobby store...

I was hoping I could join the group and maybe finish a group build?!?

I would build OOB and use the decals to build...

Please let me know.

Just roughly fitting the parts together, I don't anticipate any issues closing up the ifr bay.  In fact leaving all those parts out and just fitting the door will leave more room for counterwieghts so I don't need to rest it on it's tailhook like everyone seems to do.

P1012074 by Tim Bowers, on Flickr

Ziggy, i will get back to you tonight as i can't see the image on my work computer.

Sorry, I should have included text, anyhow, its...

Italeri 1/72 scale MB 339 A Fuerza Aerea Argentina

That will be nice, don't think i have seen one of those built before. Will get you on the roster. Welcome aboard.

Started with some glue, I just can't stand not adding some detail.  I will keep it simple.  The wheel wells will get a piece of styreen and a couple twisted wires.  I will try something on the seats and interior.