Scale: 1:72
Reviewer: Es George
Initial assessment
The first thing that strikes you is the weight of the box. Airfix’s new packaging is substantial and the box is packed. Love the box art too; one of the marking options in the act of dispatching an Argentinean Navy Skyhawk. You get three grey sprues, with a clear sprue packaged separately; 112 parts all told.
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Accuracy
Looks good overall. You get options for the intake blow-in doors and shape and works to the eye. There is detail in the airbrake and wheel bays and the wheels have flats moulded on.
The fuselage seems to fit well, as does the one-piece main wing. Alignment of these major parts presents no obvious problems and I like the fact that the lower wing panels are engineered to minimise the visible join. The smaller components have good mating lugs and therefore, should not present too many issues.
The plastic is a little on the soft side and the sprue gates a little large in places, but the quality is good, though not on a par with some. Tooling is flash-free, although the recessed panel lines are a little heavy to be honest, especially on the weaponry; nothing that can’t be sorted out though. Cockpit detail is good for the scale, and you get the options for retracted undercarriage, and a pilot figure, so the model can be depicted in flight. Stores are good, with choices of two or four AIM-9 fit, Sea Eagles and cannon pods or strakes. There will though be some work needed to make good the join of the exhaust nozzles, all of which are two-part assemblies with a join in the middle.
The instructions are very good, with 19 stages, starting with the cockpit and intake/fan assembly; the later appears to be well thought out. Humbrol paint numbers are called out throughout the build, and there are clear depictions of the angles and placement of certain parts, like the AIM-9s. The painting and decal placement instructions are on a separate, colour fold out, which is not only very clear, but very good.
Decals
Summary
This kit is excellent value for money. Considering what you get in the box, the options and the presentation, Airfix’s Sea Harrier FRS1 is a welcome addition to their range and will be welcomed by many.
Recommended
Es G.
