Airfix Harrier GR.1/GR.3 Diorama

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:20 pm

Cold War Group Build

Update 1

So welcome to the "setting the scene" update for my entry on this, ISM's 2nd group build, The Cold War. I will just say that for the time being this is just a place holding post, and thread starter to introduce you all to the model I am going to build, some history/references I am going to be using to help with the build, and the multitude of random ideas floating around my noggin!

I must first put a special mention here to just say that without the absolute kindness of a certain indiviual, who shall remain anonymous, at least for now, I would not be in the position to enter this GB at this time. So again a huge thank you to that person for the kindness they showed, allowing me to enter this GB.

The Models
So first things first, what am I going to be building? The answer is this little lot...

New tool Airfix Harrier GR1 will be the main model

Alongside that I have Italeri's 1/72 NATO Ground crew and pilots

And some aftermarket parts for added detail. Eduard RBF tags and a Brengun Harrier boarding ladder set

So there are numerous reviews online for this, frankly fantastic new kit from Airfix so I won't bother reviewing it myself. Lee from ISM here did a fantastic review which can be found here.
[youtube]UP1CWgDrb7E[/youtube]

However as evidence that this kit is new and unstarted I have here some sprue shots.

And my chosen colour scheme, 20 Squadron based at RAF Wildenrath, Germany, 1971.

The Idea

Ok, so now you have seen the model I intend to build, let me outline the idea I have. In the 1970s and 1980's especially, the first line of defence against any potential invasion by the Russians was the Harrier Force of the RAF. This basically consisted of numerous "field" airfields spread throughout Western Germany, where Harriers were based in hidden positions, ready to react to any Russian incursion. These "airfields" were no more than the clever use of forest roads and clearings. With the unique ability of the Harrier to take off and land vertically, no real runways were needed, and the relatively small size of the jets made hiding them quite simple.
Now while I am modelling a Harrier GR1, and searches online for Harrier hides often returns pictures of Harrier GR3s in such positions, when this idea was first implemented in 1971, it was the GR1s that were deployed in this manner, although the type never saw any combat action, being replaced by the Harrier GR3 a few years later.

The idea here is to create a small diorama depicting a typical West German Harrier hide. These were simple affairs, simply a clear area of forest floor with a camo net "hanger" to cover the aircraft and conceal it from the air. Metal decking planks were often used to ensure the aircrafts wheels wouldn't foul in the ground, and starting carts, fire extinguishers and the like could be found nearby.

Next is some pictures I will use for reference.

(These first 2 are "modern" mock ups of what these hides would have been like, from a set up at Cosford airshow a few years back)

*Please note these pictures were just taken from the internet and I do not claim ownership to any of them*

So I think that will do for this first update, I apologise for its length, but I hope that you found it an interesting read. I know many people will be aware of the Harrier, what it did, its unique capabilites, and the travesty which was the decision to sell the entire of the UK's Harrier force to the Yanks. But in a future post I will elaborate some more on the history of this wonderful feat of British engineering.

Best of luck to all entrants in this GB, and most importantly have fun!

Thanks for reading.

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:28 pm

Looking forward to this one shaping up.

Great iconic aircraft and with your skills will come out really well.

Post by **Paul** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:34 pm

Nice gav, a very gererous gift too mate

Post by **5Craven** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:35 pm

This promises to be a special build. Really looking forward to how it will shape up.

Post by **bullgill67** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:38 pm

looking forward to this one

- good luck

michael

Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:42 pm

Really looking forward to this great concept for a diorama Gav

Post by **DC87** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:36 pm

Cracking idea and some great items to build for the diorama, can't wait to see it begin.

Also well done that man for helping you enter

Post by **Coen** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:29 am

This is a really cool idea for a dio Gav! I've never seen anything like it myself.
I'll love watching this come together.
I didn't know that the entire fleet was sold.
What a shame.
It's an iconic UK bird. Even I know that.
Well they can't have this one.

Awesome choice!!!!

Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 6:54 am

Coen wrote:This is a really cool idea for a dio Gav! I've never seen anything like it myself.
I'll love watching this come together.
I didn't know that the entire fleet was sold.
What a shame.
It's an iconic UK bird. Even I know that.
Well they can't have this one.
Awesome choice!!!!

I still cant believe their gone it was the 1st aircraft i saw up-close at an air-show near me (which is no more as well) and it what gave me the aircraft bug good and proper and one of the 1st kits i build when i was a kid. going to try and get all the MKs in 1:48 if i can.

Post by **Lee** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:56 am

Nice Gav

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:35 am

Nige I couldn't agree more. In my last incarnation as a modeller (when I was in my yoof!) I built several Harriers (this is partly only recalled due to me finding instruction sheets for about 4 Harriers lol).

Yeah ok the F35B Harrier replacement could be argued as a better aircraft of course, but its over budget, its delayed, its still in testing, its expensive to buy, run and maintain, and probably more expensive to train pilots on. Yet in the hands of skilled British pilots Harriers could still be a dangerous machine in the right hands.

Now the Yanks have pilfered the airframes for spares and left the rest out in their boneyard. Shocking.

Post by **Nige201980** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:29 pm

Its a dying shame the Harrier was one of the most up to date aircraft in the world. and we had people who were trained on it an who could get the most out of it. And the spares and equipment to fix it. like you said Gav the F35 will work out costing us more to get to the standard that we operated the harrier at with training and repairs because we will have to send to the parent company for it and you can bet the air crews will not know all the ins and outs so we would have to get "specialists" in to sort it. not a good deal in my eyes.

Post by **good2us1** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:46 pm

Nice! Lee did a excellent job on the review!!!
Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:20 pm

Tender hooks here Gav, all together they should make a fantastic dio.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:21 pm

Cheers Ian. Yeah I am looking forward to getting on with it. But I am not going to start it until I get this PhD finished. Only got 2 weeks to try and finish my thesis, which I don't think I am going to manage, so need to look about getting an extension, which I don't think I will get. So yeah, slightly more important things to do for the next few weeks. I also have a few builds on the go still, and don't want to add another to that without finishing at least one of these first.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:36 pm

You've got months to start Gav, only weeks for the PhD. Life first eh?
I've barely done anything in the last couple of days. Hopefully tonight ill get to something.
Just think of all the kits you'll get to play with post Doc. (Employed post Doc haha). Time and patience well all still be here the next day.

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 12:17 am

Awesome kit here!
One of my favourite planes! (other one is a F16)
Also a Harier makes me think at that movie "true lies" when Arnold Schwarzenegger is hovering above a building. "your fired!" Classic...

Can't wait to see more of this awesome plane, liking your diorama plans too

Post by **Coen** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 12:35 am

[youtube]lf3Kyv_iaNs[/youtube]

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:07 am

yup, that's the one Coen!:thumb1:

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:01 pm

Update 2

History Lesson

Ok class, are you sitting comfortably? Then let me begin...

Back in the dark days of the early 1960's, with Russia and her Warsaw Pact allies posturing and growling behind the Iron Curtain, Britain was busy in a period of typical eccentric aircraft design. Sydney Camm of the Hawker Siddeley Aviation (HSA) company, famous for such designs as the WW2 Hurricane and the Hunter, brought out a design for a supersonic capable vertical/short take-off and landing (VSTOL) aircraft, the P.1154. This project was however cancelled in 1965 when a Labour government came into power. Focus then shifted to the subsonic VSTOL fighter being developed alongside the P.1154 project. This was the P.1127/Kestrel. This fighter was powered by the unique Bristol Pegasus engine (I assume Bristol were later taken over by Rolls Royce as later Harriers had Rolls Royce Pegasus engines). Testing of this aircraft was conducted by the UK, America as well as Germany.
This led the aircraft to be accepted and put into production in 1965 upon the cancellation of the P.1154 project. The Kestrel aircraft was renamed the "Harrier" in 1967. This first Harrier variant was the GR.1. The RAF ordered both the GR.1 and GR.3 Harrier variants, with the Americans ordering a number of aircraft for the USMC, designated the AV-8A.

The RAF positioned the bulk of their Harriers in West Germany to defend against a potential invasion of Western Europe by the Soviet Union; the unique abilities of the Harrier allowed the RAF to disperse their forces away from vulnerable airbases. The USMC used their Harriers primarily for close air support, operating from amphibious assault ships, and, if needed, forward operating bases. Harrier squadrons saw several deployments overseas. The Harrier's ability to operate with minimal ground facilities and very short runways allowed it to be used at locations unavailable to other fixed-wing aircraft. The Harrier received criticism for having a high accident rate and for a time-consuming maintenance process.

The Harrier GR.3 was the next step on from the GR.3 featuring a re-profiled nose containing a laser tracker, electronic countermeasures suite and a more powerful Pegasus Mk103 engine. Sea Harriers, developed by British Aerospace was configured for air to air and fleet defence duties, rather than ground attack, and as such featured radar and Sidewinder missiles, with later upgrades to carry AIM 20 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and Blue Vixen radar for longer range engagements.

Ok, so I hope your still awake class, and that you learned something you didn't know about where the iconic Harrier Jump Jet came from. We owe it all to the British aircraft genius, Sydney Camm, the same man who gave us the iconic Hawker Hurricane, the under acknowledged stablemate of the famous Spitfire. That man must have had an impressive CV!

As I mentioned before, I am not intending to start the build quite yet, other things to do first. But I intend to keep this thread going with my ramblings, ideas, references etc, so do please check back!

Post by **Emilliano** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 1:43 pm

A lovely kit to build and an excellent choice Gav..looking forward for your updates on this mate..All the best

Post by **good2us1** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 10:37 am

Coen wrote:You've got months to start Gav, only weeks for the PhD. Life first eh?
I've barely done anything in the last couple of days. Hopefully tonight ill get to something.
Just think of all the kits you'll get to play with post Doc. (Employed post Doc haha). Time and patience well all still be here the next day.

I agree with Coen, Dr. Gav sound good to me!!!

Post by **Coen** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:54 pm

love it!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 3:43 pm

Dr. Gav sounds very good indeed.

Man I hate my friend Dave, its all his fault. When we were back in school me and him said it would be cool if we went to uni, got our degrees, then did PhDs and both became "Drs". He flunked uni, but I carried on, and here I am, 8 years later not far off finishing my PhD thesis, and hopefully passing to become Dr. Gav, which was laughable when we were 17 and never something I really thought would happen.

Post by **Coen** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 6:57 pm

Ya man... success really sucks.

hahaha

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:47 pm

Coen wrote:[youtube]lf3Kyv_iaNs[/youtube]

Coen! Naughty corner for you.

I just wasted 26 seconds of my life on that clip!

Post by **UKscalemodeller** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:53 pm

Gav0909 wrote:Dr. Gav sounds very good indeed.

Man I hate my friend Dave, its all his fault. When we were back in school me and him said it would be cool if we went to uni, got our degrees, then did PhDs and both became "Drs". He flunked uni, but I carried on, and here I am, 8 years later not far off finishing my PhD thesis, and hopefully passing to become Dr. Gav, which was laughable when we were 17 and never something I really thought would happen.

Not sure how you (or anyone) have done it Gav, my hat is off to you. 4 years of university were enough for me. There was a vauge idea of some of us and the senior digital electronics lecturer getting together and building an Ekranoplan and turning it into a Masters degree project but I wanted out and a job.

Probably for the best as my degree is useless to me now.

And back to the build. Any plans on the dio, packed down for the night? Rearming? Repair work?

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:01 pm

I think the plan will be to have it under a cam net shelter, with the cockpit open and the boarding ladder in place. Will try to have some ground equipment around as if its just on QRA. Might have a pilot nearby and ground crew doing some work.

May put a Landy on the dio as well. Ideas ideas!!

Post by **gosselin2112** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 2:36 pm

Cool diorama subject. Nice transition from the last GB. You are a versatile model builder.

Russ

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 2:47 pm

Thanks Russ, high praise indeed! I am still re-learning things I new when I was younger and learning new things all the time. And I am thoroughly enjoying trying new things, and surprising myself with the results (in a good way).

I think one big thing I still find difficult is painting camouflage. If its straight edge, fine I can mask it. But softer edge camo as often found on planes when the patterns are just applied with a spray gun, I find more difficult. But this model gives me another chance to perfect that.

Post by **Emilliano** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:26 am

Gav0909 wrote:Thanks Russ, high praise indeed! I am still re-learning things I new when I was younger and learning new things all the time. And I am thoroughly enjoying trying new things, and surprising myself with the results (in a good way).

I think one big thing I still find difficult is painting camouflage. If its straight edge, fine I can mask it. But softer edge camo as often found on planes when the patterns are just applied with a spray gun, I find more difficult. But this model gives me another chance to perfect that.

I hear you brother...camouflage and me...er my experience with the same on aircraft don't go hand in hand but i am getting there..and you will as well mate

looking forward for your updates mate.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:13 am

Cheers mate. I have done freehand camo several times on planes etc now so I am getting used to it, and the airbrush I have now does it make it a bit easier!

I went out yesterday and bought some bandage to use for my camo netting. But before I try making the final one (which won't be til much later in the build once the plane is at least built so I can get dimensions etc etc) I will be doing some practice bits so will make sure to log those attempts here!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:51 pm

Ohhh,

I just found out today that there is a new tooling of the Harrier GR3 coming out tomorrow! I guess its essentially the GR1 kit with different decals and the minor changes between the varients.

Now I want to do both the GR1 and a GR3 on the same diorama! Maybe I will have some money coming in by the time this GB ends, and I will be able to fit it in.

Just had an awesome idea for the two aircraft as well!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:04 pm

Question

Does anyone know what the green box on wheels is in this picture?

Is that a fuel bowser, or is that the starting APU?

Also, does anyone know what kind of fuel bowser/truck/system the RAF used during the 1970's/1980's?

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:21 pm

I'm certainly no expert Gav, but it looks like a power unit to me.
So and APU would be a good guess.

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 5:15 pm

From past experience mate i think its a start up generator mate from going on excise's with the army that RAF took part in we would see a lot of those where the aircraft where and fuel bowers haven't changed that much from WWII a truck with a tank on lol. i could be wrong but that's what i think it is.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 5:59 pm

No your right that is an APU I think, used to start the aircraft up.

Ok, so I have managed to speak to an ex Army Air Corps mate of mine who confirmed what I thought.

So, I was in two minds really as to whether I would mention this, but I think I will, so lets call this

Update 3

Ok, so here is the idea I have, please excuse the very rough drawing!

What that should show, is two Harriers (A GR1 and a GR3) on a diorama. With the GR1 under a camo net, like the pictures at the start of this log. The 2nd Harrier will be drawn up nearby, and both will be getting refuelled by one of these:

*Image is not mine, credit goes to a Scott Van Aken*

This is the Airfix 1/76 Bedford Tactical Aircraft Refueler. After doing some research, this is literally the exact truck I need. Turns out this truck was brought in as the Army and RAF refueler as it was low profile and was equipped to refuel up to two aircraft at a time under operational turnaround conditions. Perfect!

The yellow smiley faces represent roughly where ground crew will be.

If I am to complete this diorama as the idea is in my head then over the GB length I will need to get myself the following:

Airfix Harrier GR3
Airfix Bedford Tactical Aircraft Refueler
1/72 metal PSP matting
Picture frame for diorama base
Scale model trees

Cheers, please feel free to ask any questions you might have.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:17 pm

That's an exceptional idea Gav.
With the trees around the edge ... very cool.
I take it that the happy faces are crew?
haha.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:27 pm

Haha yeah, the wee smilies represent the fact there will be ground crew around and about as well.

May need to do some converting to get some to look like they are refueling the planes. I might have one still pulling up to the truck, and have a ground crew guy directing it.

Post by **Nige201980** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:40 pm

That will be a cracking build mate

Post by **fly1ngdutchm4n** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:33 pm

Awesome idea for a dio! looking forward to it!

Post by **Paul** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 9:37 pm

That'll be a great build gav

Post by **Lee** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 11:10 pm

Looking forward to it matey

Post by **wappynutter** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 11:16 pm

chewing on the bit for this one Gav.......
Popcorn at the ready...

Check....
Good luck with the build....

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 11:45 pm

Cheers dudes. At the moment its just an idea, and my main plan is to build the GR1 in the hide. I will make sure there is space on the base for another Harrier, but the dio won't rely on there being both birds. This is because I can't guarantee that I will have the means to obtain one of the new GR3s in time for this GB due to financial constraints.

But that is the overall plan, so I will see if I can pull it off.

Post by **Coen** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 12:40 am

Maybe you'll have another visit from the modellers fairy

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 12:48 am

Post by **good2us1** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 7:19 am

Good idea, can't wait to see it finished!!!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:38 am

good2us1 wrote:Good idea, can't wait to see it finished!!!

Finished! I can't wait to see it started lol. But I am being stern with myself and not starting anything new until at least one more of my WIP projects is finished. My Meng AUF1 is now ready for painting so fingers crossed another week or so will see that finished and I can crack on with this GB!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 9:36 am

So with the end in sight for my Meng AUF1 build I am starting to get excited about this build. Again due to the utter kindness of someone who shall remain anonymous, I have on their way to me the new Harrier GR3 and the refueling truck I need to complete this build as I envisage it in my head.

There are some materials I need to get for the diorama itself, such as a photo frame for a base, scale trees etc.

Oh, while I remember does anyone know what scale trees I would need to best represent a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees for a 1/72 diorama? As far as I know most scale trees are scaled in railway scales, and I don't know what would be most suitable for working with 1/72. Any help appreciated!

I have a small Flames of War commission to finish for a friend which is way overdue so once the AUF1 is done I will quickly finish that and then get on with this GB!

Cheers for sticking around.