General arrangement of parts
I have seen three of these (well AV-8Bs actually) made-up at various modelling events and all have looked impressive – there’s just something about the Harrier that just looks right and, in this scale, I think the aircraft subject looks perfect. The real aircraft isn’t large, so maybe that has something to do with it.
The main upper wing/LERX fits to separate lower wing panels and, from talking to a couple of people that have finished the model, the fit seems quite good. I remember that on the smaller 1:48 scale Hasegawa kit, the whole fit of wing to fuselage can be problematic.
Engine:– What on earth has this been included for?! I just don’t get it, as with no separate engine cover panels it’s going to take some serious surgery to display the detailed engine properly.
So, it begs the question: Why? Why waste valuable tooling costs on something the modeller can’t see? Pointless. Why not, instead, include more detail in the cockpit or, as that’s pretty good anyway, some more relevant weapons and stores for anything other than a US machine?
Weapons and stores:– To be fair, you get plenty of these and, for the GR-7, the most useful are likely to be the neat pair or AIM-9L Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs) and the two large drop tanks. Other stores are provided like: GBU-12s (X6); Mk.82s (X8); AGM-65s (X2) plus some other bits but for me, it’d probably just be the Sidewinders and under wing tanks.
Clear parts:– These are very clear, with the canopy shape looking good (unlike the Lightning and Corsair in this scale, for example).
There is a fine mould seam-line down the middle of the canopy and this will need to be gently sanded and polished out (see your Techniques Bank for how to do this), but that is pretty straightforward. The nose laser rangefinder/marked target-seeker glazing is very clear.
Rubber tyres:– Now I know that many people don’t like these, but I’ve got to say that I don’t mind them at all.
The main reason for this is that they only need some grey pastel chalk worked into the surface right at the end of the project and they can look very realistic. Sometimes I paint them dark grey and then add the lighter grey pastel dust and the effect is very realistic. Some people say that the vinyl/rubber (whatever they are made from) starts to decompose after a period, but I have to say that I have never experienced this, so it may be something about how and where you store your model.
Etched brass – A small fret of etched brass is included, covering small details like the seat harness, HUD framework and canopy rear decking. These will definitely enhance your model.
Decals and Markings
The choice of markings is reasonable, if a little dull – Nos.4 and 20(R) Squadrons, RAF included. The markings seem to be well printed and in register and have decent opacity. Stencil markings are included too.
The weapons have all the decals appropriate to the type included.
‘Slime lights’ (anti-collision night lights) are included as decal strips and the colour seems better than on some other types, where the yellow has been too yellow, but these are more akin to Zinc Chromate Yellow and look better.
Although decals are provided for the instrument panels (main and side consoles), I think you’d probably be better to paint-up the nicely raised detail and weather appropriately with a wash and dry-brushing.
The painting/decal guide is in-colour and gives colour paint matches for various paint manufacturers: Mr Color, Vallejo, Tamiya, Humbrol and Model Master.
Instructions
All very Trumpeter – clear and in the usual exploded staged diagrams.
Conclusion
Well, this is Recommended by me, for the simple reason that – at long last – we have a decent kit of the harrier GR-7/9 in 1:32 scale.
This is a much better effort than Trumpeter’s poor attempt with the EE Lightning (much to my great sadness). Overall quality is good, it’s just a shame that valuable tooling investment has been misplaced in an engine you can’t see!
Geoff C.
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