Airfix 1/24 Harriers, beany,Sir T, FredK, Splash, MarkyM607

[Stuart]

When I built my 1/24 scale Spitfire I found building the 1/72 version along side it helped me, especially when it came to laying down paint, so I'm going to build the new Airfix GR1 as a guide.

I'm not planning to use resin parts, so when trying to modify the intake flaps the smaller kit will make a good reference.

Splash

That's a good idea Splash - How are you going to sort out the Aux-flaps? (or lack there of)

[splash]

That's a good idea Splash - How are you going to sort out the Aux-flaps? (or lack there of)

I think I might just mark them using the 1/72 kit as a guide then cut them out and use plastic card to make the sides of the holes and flaps its only the top ones that drop so the others can just be scribed.

The new Airfix 1/72 Harrier kits give you both open and closed options hence the mini me build first

[splash]

The little GR1 kit is a real gem, the part fit is spot on and it's full of very fine detail.

Now I know what the intakes look like I can come up with a cunning plan.

[MarkyM607]

I've got the pilot half done!!. Still tussling with the PZL 23!, so no space on any of my benches for the Harrier. She is underway but I may lag behind you a bit!.

I wouldn 't worry Mark, mines not going to be a quick build!

That's okay then!. People keep expecting me to turn up for work and such nonsense!!!. I shouldn't have added the Monogram GB to my French Marked Aircraft GB and this SB really!

[splash]

Mark that's the beauty of the SB's they are not time bound, so we can all plod on at our own pace.

I enjoy the SB concept as its good to see how other people attack problems in different ways, for example, Stuart is using the resin intakes as the kit parts are one of the only things that let this kit down, where as I'm going for old school scratch building, working on the principle that if it all goes wrong I can order a set of resin bits and follow Stuart.

The good thing is, we are all building basically the same kit, so when one of use finds a problem, I can guarantee we all will, so by putting all our heads together makes the task simpler. I have read lots of reviews about this kit and most comment on the heavy surface detail but I for one don't think its an issue, but I won't know until I have got much further into the build and wether I loose any of the detail trying to get the parts to fit.

My cunning plan is to work on the problem areas first like the intakes, because I don't want to spend days on the cockpit, then scrap the kit because the intakes look rubbish.

Regards Splash

[Stuart]

I agree Splash - that's what I'll be doing over the weekend, sorting out the intakes. I want to get them done before I get the fuselage halves go together so i can sort out the fit and get them painted. I have to say it was 50/50 last week as to if I used the resin intakes or not - I did consider doing what you are doing and scratching the Aux-flaps myself. I might also try and replace some of the mesh in the puffer jets on the tail.

I also like the SB concept - it's really good to see how other people tackle the same model, but without the time contraints of a GB - and this is not a model that could be rushed!

Cheers

Stuart

[MarkyM607]

Good points all. I've only done GB's since joining the forum so I'm still in the mentality of having a time limit!!. Pilot is painted green but still on the PZL 23 so space is being fought over!. Hopefully will have a nice Sunday like last week and get some serious work done!.

[splash]

I have stuck the intake inner and outer halves together.

Carrying out a dry fit, shows they sit slightly proud of the main fuselage but this is not a bad thing as sanding of the surplus will level out the side and lower axilery flaps that should be closed.

Looking at the detail on the intakes it looks like it was made by a different guy from the one who built the rest of the kit, the detail is soft and nowhere as detailed as the other parts of the kit.

[Stuart]

Hi Splash - you know what I noticed the same thing - the definition on the intakes is really poor, it's almost as if something went wrong with the tool.

[splash]

The missing rivet detail will be difficult to replicate as Airfix have made the rivets by cutting small circles. This might be why people fill in all the rivet detail.

[splash]

Big question for all you Harrier experts out there.

Do the axillary intakes lead into the main engine intake or do they feed air into the engine bay around the engine?

[splash]

I might also try and replace some of the mesh in the puffer jets on the tail.

Stuart have you seen this link http://www.uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=10011

[fredk]

I bought the SAM Datafile book on the SHAR to go with that kit. It has a section on super-detailing the kit, most of which carries over to the GR. I recommend you [plural, anyone] get hold of this book.

[splash]

I thought I would try a simple approach to fixing the intake flaps. My original plan was to cut them out then make new ones, but whilst cutting them out I tried bending them and finished up with them looking like this, what do you think?

[Stuart]

Not bad Splash - that certainly gives them more definition!