1/48 Tamiya Sea Harrier FRS1

Gallery Article by Darius Aibara on Oct 27 2003

 

This is the Tamiya kit modified with the Flightpath etched brass detail set and an Aeroclub white metal ejection seat.  The Tamiya kit is not bad but has poor cockpit and basic engine nozzle and fuselage grille detail that the Flightpath set improves.  You also get the triangular vortex generators in etched brass to replace the "bricks" that Tamiya have moulded to the wing tops.  The kit was assembled as per the Tamiya/Flightpath instructions.  I shaved off Tamiya's vortex bricks and replaced them with the individual brass elements - you get several spares and they are needed - I am still finding the ones that "pinged" away.   The engine intake flaps were also cut away from the kit parts and replaced with the brass details.

 

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After priming with auto acrylic spray paint I brush painted Humbrol dark sea grey with some patches in modified shades to represent a slightly worn aircraft.  I had always liked the 899 NAS 50th anniversary scheme and had tried to represent the markings using the "mailed fist" decals provided with the kit.  When Airfix re-released the Sea Harrier last year to commemorate Operation Corporate they provided decals for this scheme, which I used to replace my earlier efforts.

Now I have an Airfix Sea Harrier FRS1 to build!  Any suggestions?

Darius Aibara

      

Photos and text © by Darius Aibara