Global Scale Modeller

My entry into the SiG will be Kinetic's Sea Harrier FRS.1 in 1:48 flavour. I'm going to try to build a specific aircraft namely XZ450 of 800 NAS FAA RN deployed on HMS Hermes. Operation Corporate or The Falkland Conflict as its better known, took place in 1982 between April until June.
A brief history can be found here

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War

XZ450 is the very first Sea Harrier having been delivered to the RN in August 1978. In early May XZ450 was the first Sea Harrier lost in combat and her pilot Ft Lt Nick Taylor killed.



XZ450 in happier times

Anyway back to the kit..
Here is a review of said kit, it's very long and quite frankly only for insomniac's



If you're still here





































No pressure then
I'll add more info as we go along.

Splendid kit! Can't wait for the build to start.

Good, just found my seat and it's about to start... gimme them and

Some really nice detail on this kit by the looks of it! Looking forward to the build

Thanks gents

Sub-assembly's and pe is the order of the day...

Foot pedals..



Let's play a game.. How much of this stuff is actually gonna be seen

We need to get rid of all the detail, bit of a shame..





Instrument panel falls to the same fate..



Although I'm only fitting the hud, the panels will applied after I sort some paint to match Eduard stupid colour!



Canopy frame now...



Air brake/main undercarriage well..





This is part of the main wheel well I think...



This bit is behind the seat, making up part of the cockpit. Look at the injection marks, I'm going cut up some pe to shape and hide them..



It's a bit rough but it'll be fine..



Nose wheel well..



I've only glued one side because I need to get some paint in there...



More nose wheel well





Bang seat..



All this lot is gonna need painting



Pe..? Can't see what all the fuss is about

I like the Kinetic somewhat more conservative approach with straight fuselage halves, without the nose part and everything else type of bs. Watching with great interest
Marek

jnbattleship wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:00 pm I like the Kinetic somewhat more conservative approach with straight fuselage halves, without the nose part and everything else type of bs. Watching with great interest
Marek

Thanks Marek, my first Kinetic kit, reminds me of Special Hobby in my opinion

Looks like a nicely detailed kit and those aftermarket goodies will really kick it up a gear great start on that p/e joesdad look forward to seeing this develop

RossiM1 wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:55 pm Looks like a nicely detailed kit and those aftermarket goodies will really kick it up a gear great start on that p/e joesdad look forward to seeing this develop

Time will tell, I haven't actually stuck much together yet..
cheers Gary

Excellent work with the PE




Tommy

Coming together nicely ted.

Looking nice, can't wait to see more

Thanks guys

I said I'd add some info as I went along... these aren't my words by the way

In May 1975 Hawker Siddeley received a contract to proceed with airframe development and an order for 24 Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1s was announced. The designation indicating the triple roles of Fighter, Reconnaissance and Strike. A further ten were ordered later, bringing the total to 34. The first Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 (XZ450) made its maiden flight at Dunsfold on 20 August 1978, followed by three pre-production aircraft fitted with test instrumentation for development flying (XZ438-XZ440). Deliveries to RNAS Yeovilton began on 18 June 1979 with XZ451 being the first to join the Intensive Flying Trials Unit (IFTU), No.700A Squadron.

At the end of March 1980 the Royal Navy Sea Harrier IFTU was redesignated No.899 Sqn, becoming a Headquarters Squadron performing operational training duties, and at the same time No.800 Sqn, the first operational squadron, was formed. No.800 Sqn served briefly on HMS Invincible before transferring to HMS Hermes, an old anti-submarine/command carrier. In January 1981 a second operational unit, No.801 Sqn was commissioned to serve aboard the Invincible.

On 2 April 1982 the military dictatorship in Argentina launched an invasion of the Falkland Islands. Three days later a British carrier battle group sailed from Portsmouth, with a total of twenty Sea Harriers aboard Invincible and Hermes. Whilst on the way, a cache of the latest all-aspect version of the Sidewinder air-air missile, the AIM-9L, was obtained from the USA and flown out to the carriers. The Falkland Islands lay within 600 miles (966 km) of three major Argentinian airbases and the Sea Harriers would thus be vital in protecting the fleet from enemy air attack. The conflict opened in earnest for the Sea Harriers on 1 May with dawn air attacks on the occupied airfields at Port Stanley and Goose Green. No aircraft were lost. That afternoon Flt Lt Paul Barton of No.801 Sqn (an RAF pilot on an exchange tour) shot down a Mirage 5 with an AIM-9L, scoring the first kill of the conflict and the first for the Sea Harrier. The limited number of fighters available could not provide a complete defensive screen, but the extremely high serviceability of the aircraft, often flying in conditions which would have grounded conventional aircraft, severely disrupted enemy air operations. Over the 7 week campaign the Sea Harriers achieved 23 air-air kills in air-air combat for no loss. During the entire war, only two Sea Harriers were lost to ground fire and five more to flying accidents.

Been busy on the SHAR, so let's get on with it.
All this has been primed with Ultimate primer. The engine intakes and any undercarriage bays I'll leave in the white primer.



It didn't look it but the following is a brilliant Ultimate white primer and I've treated them to a couple of cote of Alclad Aqua Gloss, to seal them ready for weathering..



The fan for the Pegasus engine is AK Exteme Aluminium



Weathering the main wheel well, just an oil mix thinned with odourless sprit...





Assembley...





Front wheel well and engine fan sub-assembly



The colour cockpit pe is a totally different colour to what it should be!! So I've had to mix some of my own colour, hate doing that. Theses have been dry brushed as well..



Instrument panel pe



Cockpit coming together, my colour isn't spot on but it'll have to do..





And not all of the pe was used.... its laying around somewhere! I hate pe...




Cockpit/engine intake assembley all ready to go...





Fuselage should be going together soon and when it does you'll be the first to know.

Oh wow, this is SPECTACULAR!!!

Nice one, Tim. I like the look of the wheel bay and the cockpit detail is great. I'm with you on the PE. I always come to a halt with loads of stuff still to stick in and although I feel guilty for not using it all, my eyes and my patience aren't up to it.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:49 am Oh wow, this is SPECTACULAR!!!

Thank you kindly Scott albeit an overstatement

Willem wrote: Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:08 am Nice one, Tim. I like the look of the wheel bay and the cockpit detail is great. I'm with you on the PE. I always come to a halt with loads of stuff still to stick in and although I feel guilty for not using it all, my eyes and my patience aren't up to it.

That moment when you start cutting pe off its frame and it's NOT a good idea.
Ta Will

Looks great Tim!

That pit and seat are looking great!

Excellent job done with the cockpit!


Tommy

Great pit and build so far.

I always come to a halt with loads of stuff still to stick in and although I feel guilty for not using it all, my eyes and my patience aren't up to it.

One of the best modelling buys I've ever made Will was an Optivisor. I don't know if you have one but it transformed my modelling. I wear specs full time, just an age thing I don't have any major sight defect but I wear the Opti an awful lot and for PE it's an absolute Godsend.

Being a Yorkshireman I use all of the PE as I've bought the bloody stuff so it's going in the kit. I do know what you mean though, I could leave half of it out and no one would be the wiser.

Avgas wrote: Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:21 pm Great pit and build so far.

I always come to a halt with loads of stuff still to stick in and although I feel guilty for not using it all, my eyes and my patience aren't up to it.

One of the best modelling buys I've ever made Will was an Optivisor. I don't know if you have one but it transformed my modelling. I wear specs full time, just an age thing I don't have any major sight defect but I wear the Opti an awful lot and for PE it's an absolute Godsend.

Being a Yorkshireman I use all of the PE as I've bought the bloody stuff so it's going in the kit. I do know what you mean though, I could leave half of it out and no one would be the wiser.

I definitely need to invest in one Dave

The next stage is to get this thing together. I've used lead sheet a plumber mate gave me, hopefully I've used enough..





Remove the tape and...



Sprue goo.. I should've masked off a thin strip either side of the gap..... forgot!





Intakes being masked off. Might be somewhat overkill in all honesty







Wings on!



What the actual ****!!!





Some pe work coming up now. Filled gap with some Perfect Plastic Putty as I'm trying to preserve the detail



Looking something like...



These are the jet exhausts in pe..



Undercarriage stuff...





Primer not far off now lads...

Marvelous PE work and putty aptitude

Nice work! I see the fit is as good as advertised . I thought kinetic learned the lessons.

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Thu May 04, 2017 7:30 pm Marvelous PE work and putty aptitude

Ta Scott. That's the first time I've seen the pe properly, I was pure guesswork where it was going

jnbattleship wrote: Thu May 04, 2017 8:14 pm Nice work! I see the fit is as good as advertised . I thought kinetic learned the lessons.

It's not all bad.... well not yet anyhow..

Ouch Tim that wing fit was painful, but you certainly sorted that out looking really sweet love the p/e undercarriage details

Outstanding job! Thanks for taking the time to share such a detailed thread

RossiM1 wrote: Sun May 07, 2017 9:33 pm Ouch Tim that wing fit was painful, but you certainly sorted that out looking really sweet love the p/e undercarriage details

Thanks Gary, I've got to get some primer on then we'll see how we are..
Ta mate

SergioSolo wrote: Mon May 08, 2017 11:46 am Outstanding job! Thanks for taking the time to share such a detailed thread

It's my pleasure I'm glad you're enjoying it Sergio

Whilst I try to catch up here's some more background information.

The Sea Harriers performed the primary air defence role with a secondary role of ground attack; the RAF Harrier GR3 provided the main ground attack force. A total of 28 Sea Harriers and 14 Harrier GR3s were deployed in the theatre. The Sea Harrier squadrons shot down 20 Argentine aircraft in air-to-air combat with no air-to-air losses, although two Sea Harriers were lost to ground fire and four to accidents. Out of the total Argentine air losses, 28% were shot down by Harriers.

A number of factors contributed to the failure of the Argentinian fighters to shoot down a Sea Harrier. Although the Mirage III and Dagger jets were faster, the Sea Harrier was considerably more manoeuvrable. Moreover, the Harrier employed the AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles and the Blue Fox radar. Contrary to contemporary reports that "viffing" proved decisive in dogfights, the maneuver was not used by RN pilots in the Falklands as it was only used in emergencies against enemies unfamiliar with the aircraft. The British pilots had superior air-combat training, one manifestation of which was that they thought they noticed Argentinian pilots occasionally releasing weapons outside of their operating parameters. This is now thought to have been Mirages releasing external fuel tanks rather than weapons, and turning away from conflict with the Sea Harrier. This later reduced their capability to fight an effective campaign against the Sea Harrier due to reduced range and lack of external fuel tanks.

More to follow..

Massive cock up here as I couldn't find the kit pitot tube although I'm using a brass replacement I needed the base. Had to come up with one of my own





After priming the wheels, I've cut thin strips of tape I'm trying to replicate tyre tread..



Tyres painted with MRP Tyre black and tape removed..



Rims painted with Tamiya X2. The tread thing is subtle to say the least...



Hot stuff primed...



Various AK Extreme metal paint and a little Model Color blue used here...



I posed a question on the Facebook page the other day about whar colour primer to use... guess what...











Looks good in black doesn't she?

Wow!

Great job with the detailpainting of the wheels and exhaust - they look great!

...and Yes, it looks awesome in black


Tommy

TommyKillander wrote: Thu May 11, 2017 7:46 pm Wow!

Great job with the detailpainting of the wheels and exhaust - they look great!

...and Yes, it looks awesome in black


Tommy

It's the new black Tommy
Thanks buddy but I'm sure about the nozzles tho

I've used MRP paint for the first time. It's beautiful to use tho I think Extra Dark Sea Grey isn't the best colour to start off with....

What I'm trying to do is this..
When 801 NAS left for the Falklands, the SHAR's were wearing the standard colour scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey over White. All white undersides, pilot names and fin marking were over sprayed in the EDSG. I'm what to replicate this by spraying the underside of my Harrier white and over painting in EDSG, just like in real life.

Here goes





After some MRP...



I don't mind the white grinning through, can you imagine painting the underside of an aircraft on a rolling deck?





Top sides now







Master brass pitot tube came out well... Extreme Metal Aluminium



Photo etch step ladder, interesting to say the least...





Don't forget, this airframe only saw action for one day so weathering will be different from what I'm used to. Must be subtle.

Loving that Tim the paint job has come out really nicely must be pleased with it, great save on the pitot tube holder your one looks better than the one supplied, look forward to seeing your progress Good luck

RossiM1 wrote: Mon May 15, 2017 10:22 pm Loving that Tim the paint job has come out really nicely must be pleased with it, great save on the pitot tube holder your one looks better than the one supplied, look forward to seeing your progress Good luck

Thank Gary, being the first time with MRP i was a bit nervous and still am. Next is some decals and seal it all down, I'll be happier then mate

Looking good Tim!

ElCapitan wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 6:54 am Looking good Tim!

Thank you Rob

I like the attitude, you are doing it just like it was done in reality. That is a major contributor to the fact that your model looks very good indeed.

I was thinking of getting this one down off the shelf and you helped me decide great job !!! hope mine looks half as good

Aliktren wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 6:53 pm I was thinking of getting this one down off the shelf and you helped me decide great job !!! hope mine looks half as good

It's pretty good, just get in with it then
Thanks Aliktren

Great work looking forward to seeing it finished

Muzrik wrote: Mon May 29, 2017 8:40 am Great work looking forward to seeing it finished

Me too Muzrik
Thanks mate

The decals supplied with the kit behaved admirably, initially I thought they might be a little thick but not at all. There are only a few pictures as I was rushing to get them done before I left for my holibobs



The panel just next to the roundel is painted in Mr Hobby Aqueous extra dark sea grey, you can see that there is a difference in colour. MRP much more accurate.







And after Alclad AquaGloss...







Panel line washes next I reckon...

brilliant looking SHAR!

jnbattleship wrote: Wed May 31, 2017 3:36 pm brilliant looking SHAR!

Oooo thank you battleship

Fantastic job, mate!

This one is gonna be a stunner for sure !

Keep up the good work!


Tommy

TommyKillander wrote: Sat Jun 03, 2017 10:16 pm Fantastic job, mate!

This one is gonna be a stunner for sure !

Keep up the good work!


Tommy

Much appreciated Tommy thank you

Wow Tim, just read this entire build you did tonight! I know you know Im new to your vids and this build as of this weekend (also new in general with ISM for only a month now, but not a complete noob, but out of it for many years as I commented to you). So what can I say with my mediocre knowledge of plane building... AMAZING build.

This cool jump jet just got a real nice build and PE application with a superb paint job. Well done so far!! Looking forward to the completion of this bird, even tho I came in late, I'm here for the next 3 weeks or so. So please count me in and hand me some popcorn.