Review by: Geoff Coughlin (June 2011)
Background
The Harrier has been around since the 1960s and it remains one of the world’s most versatile, remarkable and popular aircraft (even though the UKs MOD decided to retire the type prematurely in 2010).
The Harrier uses a unique system of four vectored-thrust nozzles and a number of small reaction control jets to allow vertical take-off and landing.
Both the original Harrier and the more advanced Harrier II (still in active service with the US Marines and jointly developed with the Americans) have been deployed widely by British and US forces, as well as the Spanish, Italian, Indian and Thai navies.
Building commencing shortly…
This project will be going to Build Now pretty soon, so do keep an eye out for it.
I know we previously had a bit of a false start with the Harrier AV-8B, an earlier 1:32 release from Trumpeter, but this one will go to completion and you’ll be able to see how the whole model goes together. Fingers crossed that Andy Goodwin, who’ll be building this one for SMN, will not encounter the same problems Les had with his build.
Reference
One of the best references you can get hold of for the Harrier GR-7 is Harrier, Inside and Out, written by Mark Attrill and published by Crowood Publishing. I have just checked their website and have noted that this title is on special offer at just over £6!
I believe this represents amazing value. You can get this book for yourself here. The quality of the images and informative captions are perfect for scale modellers.
Also, don’t forget that your very own Photo Reference Library here in SMN has two excellent, in-depth sets of images covering both the Harrier GR-7 and the GR-9 (incidentally, I am working on assembling a further set for the Harrier II in US service and expect that to be released into your PRL quite soon).
It might also be reading Les Venus’ HN review that he did for the earlier Trumpeter Harrier AV-8B release in the same scale. Les makes some important observations that you’ll find useful and, as that kit is pretty much identical to this one (except for the decals) I don’t plan to repeat him and go into massive depth again here.
Some observations on the Harrier GR-7…
LERX intake:– there is a small intake on the LERX wing leading edge near the fuselage, both port and starboard on the GR-7 and this is correctly moulded in this Trumpeter kit. Note how on the GR-9 the intake is absent, but there are an additional pair of air scoops on top of the fuselage and just after where the intakes are located on the GR-7.
Airbrake detail:- the kit’s central airbrake is detailed, but the pattern is only vaguely correct and the recess where the retraction jack locates isn’t moulded so you’ll need to modify this in the kit if you want to lower the air brake (as is typical of parked Harrier aircraft).
Similarities between the GR-7 and the GR-9:- the fact is that these aircrafts are very similar, save for small details like the ones mentioned above. Even the cockpit is very similar visually, with mostly differences in electronic and computer gizmos differentiating the two versions. This is good news, because you can pretty much press-on and go for the build and enjoy yourself with your big new Trumpeter kit.
It will be an easy task to convert your Harrier GR-7 into a GR-9 – you’ll just need some decals (check out Hannants or Model Aviation Workshop websites – you’ll find their website addresses in Get it Now) and add the air scoops over the LERX either side of the fuselage. That’s pretty much it.
Interesting moulding similarities with the Hasegawa 1:48 Harrier II
I’m not wishing to be controversial in any way, but I notice that there are striking similarities between the Hasegawa kit and the Trumpeter releases, albeit different scales.
One observation is the horizontal join line in the one-piece Trumpeter upper wing LERX moulding that extends outboard of the centre panel to the wing leading edges. This mirrors the join line that’s created when you join the separate forward and centre wing/LERX sections on the Hasegawa kit.
ZOOM - Move your mouse over image
ZOOM - Move your mouse over image
Before we start, something to get you in the mood…
Box and Sprues
Click Image to Enlarge/go back.
Well, not the most inspiring box art I’ve seen (take a look at the recent Airfix artwork if you want inspiring – Supermarine Seafire for example), but there’s no mistaking the subject.
The main parts are well moulded with a mix or recessed and some raised panel line detail to reflect the real aircraft. The cockpit detail in particular looks very nice, especially the main instrument panel, with all that lovely raised detail that will paint-up, wash and dry-brush so well (see your Techniques Bank for how to do washes and dry-brushing).
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