Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#4563831 - 04/11/21 08:22 PM Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
Hi Gang - posting again after a long time. I hope every one is well. I've been working on lots of projects during lockdown, lucky to have a hobby that is unaffected by solitude.

A while ago I started work on the Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 that has been in my stash for umpteen years. I haven't decided on the exact aircraft yet, but I'm going to complete it as a machine used in the Falklands war, and hopefully ready for the 40th anniversary of the conflict next year.

It's an ancient set of moulds, dating back to 1974 (if memory serves) and updated in various re-issues to GR.3 and FRS.1 standard. (If you've got the latter in your shed ready to sell for a reasonable price I'm your customer!) I've got the very comprehensive Flight Path brass and resin upgrade set to enhance and correct the detail.

I bought the Flight Path RAF Type 'Y' weapon loader set so I could get a second BL.755 for an accurate load. The first step therefore was to build that and the weapons to get used to how Flight Path work. It's very good stuff but can stand some extra detail. I used lots of Archer Fine Details resin rivet decals, especially on the fins. Really pleased how it turned out. (Just realised how terrible that photograph is - many apologies!)

[Linked Image]

After that was complete I moved on to the Martin Baker Mk.9 ejection seat. Flight path provide a complete replacement in photo etched brass sheet and white metal. There are around 60 parts to build this up.

Here it is in unpainted metal, but with the seat cushins enhanced with some MIG acrylic water medium to provide the fabric effect. I also added the piping on the seat cushion and stitching on the back cushion.
[Linked Image]

And primed
[Linked Image]

Now painted with decals from the spare box and a few scratch addons.
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Thanks for looking in, more soon smile2


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#4563838 - 04/11/21 09:36 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Nixer Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Nixer  Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Veteran

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Living with the Trees
Oh boy Gareth is back. More cool stuff to go with Ajay's!

Glad you are doing well.


Censored

Look for me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Tic Toc...or anywhere you may frequent, besides SimHq, on the Global Scam Net. Aka, the internet.
I am not there, never have been or ever will be, but the fruitless search may be more gratifying then the "content" you might otherwise be exposed to.

"There's a sucker born every minute."
Phineas Taylor Barnum

#4564456 - 04/15/21 07:08 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
Hi Nixer, I hope you are well too.

I did some more work and got the cockpit tub and instrument panel installed in one side of the fuselage. Here are some shots of it before fitting. The instrument panel was particularly 'fun'. I punched out lenses for the instruments from thin transparent plastic, and used the Airfix decals rather than the film ones from Flightpath on the back. I found a map of the Falklands that looked a bit like an aeronautical chart and redeuced it to scale before punching out a circe with Goose Green on it for the moving map display. (A certain amount of artistic licence was applied here as the actual charts would have been on a 35mm film cassette and back lit, so invisible when the unit was unpowered.)


[Linked Image]


The rudder pedals, rear bulkhead and sidewalls are from a resin set made by Simian Stuff, which I believe was originally a Heritage Aviation Models set. The instrument panel and cockpit tub were of lower quiality than the Flightpath metal, but the rudder pedals are superior, so I cut them from the tub to add to the Flightpath tub. 

 
[Linked Image]



[Linked Image]




Very pleased with that! 😊
I'm currently grappling with detailing the engine air intakes, which is a huge job, so might be a while before I update.

Cheers,

Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4566828 - 05/01/21 02:03 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Dart Offline
Measured in Llamathrusts
Dart  Offline
Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
Holy freholies, that's just crazy detail work!


The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.com

From Laser:
"The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
#4566949 - 05/02/21 05:29 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
Thanks for the comments kids!

I've been doing lots of work on 'de-rivetting' the fuselage and wings, which is basically filling and sanding over and over again. Really tedious! Airfix were more restrained on the upper surfaces of the wing, so I have progressed more quickly there. Here's a couple of shots of the starboard wing with the Flightpath replacement fences and vortex generators, which are really nicely done and add some real finesse to the detail. I've also cut out the navigation lights. The gaps were filled with slear plastic and sanded to shape before being polished back to clarity. (Under masking tape here as I wanted to put a coat of primer on to check the rivets had been filled correctly.)

[Linked Image]



[Linked Image]








Thanks for looking in, more to come soon.


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4567729 - 05/08/21 05:11 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK

I've turned my attention to the landing gear.

Here's the original main gear leg. Not too bad considering it won't be very visible, but it could do with more finesse.


[Linked Image]
 

I don't believe in adding detail that won't be seen, and nost of this will be between the main wheels, but it could be spotted by a someone observing closer than 'show distance'. I broke out the styrene strip and rod, brass tube and heat shrink tube. I replaced the smaller scissor link, added some surface detail for the shafts the other scissor link rotates on, and replaced what I assume is some kind of damper for the main oleo. Pleased with that. 😀

 

[Linked Image]

 

I've also spent a lot of time on the intakes / auxiliary intake doors. On the right is Airfix's original, accurate enough for an aircraft in forward flight. At rest the upper auxiliary doors droop inwards under their own weight. (In the hover all the doors open inwards due to the suction from the engine, and supply extra air.) On the left is my modded version of the starboard intake, using Flightpath's replacement doors. 

[Linked Image]


Gareth




cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4567790 - 05/09/21 08:32 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19,381
Ajay Offline
newbie
Ajay  Offline
newbie
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19,381
Brisbane OZ
You know i'm stealing that water medium idea for seat cushioning. Lovely detail Goon, 1/24, that thing is gonna be a whopper!


My il2 page
Seelowe Campaign
Cliffs of Dover page
CloD
My Models
Tanks/Planes/Ships


#4567812 - 05/09/21 01:48 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
It's a bit of a monster Ajay!

I finished the wheels today. These are ResKit's replacements. Flightpath supply replecement resin main and nose wheels, with extra detail in PE, but they aren't much cop to be frank. (The Airfix parts are crappy rubber tyres and quite poor hubs.) These parts a real upgrade to the detail in the undercarriage. 

The hubs are Alclad Stainless Steel, with a wash of thinned black oil paint and some Tamiya Aluminium dry brushed highlights. 

The tyres are Tamiya NATO Black, with another thinned black oil wash. I haven't decided which airframe I'm representing yet, but it's likely to be during the later days of the conflict, so the tyres will have had a long six weeks at sea, plus a few visits to the PSP Forward Operating Base at San Carlos. I oil dot weathered them with a couple of shades of dark brown, one of green and some white and 'Starship Filth' (a mid grey). Hopefully this represents a bit of peat, grass and salt build up on the thyres, and the tread being scuffed by the anti-slip coating on the carrier deck.

Here's the full set of five wheels, and a close up of the three mains.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]



Thanks for looking in again,

Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4567900 - 05/10/21 01:55 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Dart Offline
Measured in Llamathrusts
Dart  Offline
Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
Oh, good grief, man, the wheels have grass stains on them.

Grass. Stains.

I know I sound repetitive, but I can't help but be continuously floored by your and other's work on this forum.


The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events.

More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.com

From Laser:
"The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
#4568010 - 05/11/21 02:06 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Nixer Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Nixer  Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Veteran

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Living with the Trees
Amazing aren't they Dart. As I have no doubt said before, I have always, at least when younger, prided myself on attention to detail.

Goon and Ajay make me feel like a blind copy editor. Then there's the guy building a Wellington with turrets more complicated than my car...except bigger!

Grass stains indeed. Where's the seabird guano? winkngrin

Do carry on Gareth...Ajay...Fidd, and all the other contributors here, especially Dart, who's model he actually flies.

Best forum on the site now.


Censored

Look for me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Tic Toc...or anywhere you may frequent, besides SimHq, on the Global Scam Net. Aka, the internet.
I am not there, never have been or ever will be, but the fruitless search may be more gratifying then the "content" you might otherwise be exposed to.

"There's a sucker born every minute."
Phineas Taylor Barnum

#4568940 - 05/18/21 04:47 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
Hi Gang,
Here's the completed nose gear leg. Flightpath provide a white metal replacement for the main parts, new lights and a phot etched representation of the wiring / tubing. Unfortunately this is quite poor, or I couldn't get it to fit, but I ended up scrapping it except some of the junctions / unions.


I replaced all the cabling and tubes with lead wire. I also drilled the representations of the light bulb out of each lamp. The upper one I made a new lens from a Little Cars lens. I then used one the same to represent the bulb in the larger unit, and made a clear plastic lens. Some light weathering to show some chipping / wear / and a little grime. (If my memory serves not one single mission was scrubbed due to unservicability of the SHAR throughout the Falklands campaign, so they were obviously well looked after.)

The wheel still rotates so I can align the slight flat spot when fitted, and I could only get it to stand up by propping it up.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

Thanks for looking in,
Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4569025 - 05/19/21 02:19 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Nixer Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Nixer  Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Veteran

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Living with the Trees
Love it man.

Absolutely amazing when a real talent goes off out of the box!

"Oh Geez Gareth, it's .000324 % off color."

You know what?

I would freakin love to paint a background for one of your works of art. Or Ajay's also.




Censored

Look for me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Tic Toc...or anywhere you may frequent, besides SimHq, on the Global Scam Net. Aka, the internet.
I am not there, never have been or ever will be, but the fruitless search may be more gratifying then the "content" you might otherwise be exposed to.

"There's a sucker born every minute."
Phineas Taylor Barnum

#4569241 - 05/20/21 04:10 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
carrick58 Offline
Hotshot
carrick58  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,659
Wow, or perhaps " Stunning " is a better word choice. U and Ajay and Sanbagger what creative talents.and complete Masters of the modeling medium. My Hat is off to all of you.

Last edited by carrick58; 05/20/21 04:11 PM.
#4569625 - 05/23/21 12:40 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK

Thanks everyone  Here's the main gear leg, with wheels just press fitted for now. (You can see one of the holes I drilled to mount them on cocktail sticks for painting. 😏) Most of the detail was removed and replaced with more accurate parts. I've given it a little bit of wear and tear, and some general grime. Again, not too much as the aircraft were generally very well looked after.


[Linked Image]


  [Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

Cheers,

Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4569832 - 05/25/21 12:38 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Nixer Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Nixer  Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Veteran

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,301
Living with the Trees
"I've given it a little bit of wear and tear, and some general grime. Again, not too much as the aircraft were generally very well looked after."

Yes, but as usual, you have no doubt correctly surmised that priorities would be mechanical maintenance vs spit and polish.

Grass stains are cool. But, I can't wait for the rest man.


Censored

Look for me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Tic Toc...or anywhere you may frequent, besides SimHq, on the Global Scam Net. Aka, the internet.
I am not there, never have been or ever will be, but the fruitless search may be more gratifying then the "content" you might otherwise be exposed to.

"There's a sucker born every minute."
Phineas Taylor Barnum

#4569851 - 05/25/21 04:40 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,926
ArgonV Offline
Hotshot
ArgonV  Offline
Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,926
College Station, Texas, USA
Truly an artwork.


"Go Fly A Kite!"
-Jason R.
FS-WWI Project Leader
FS-WWI Plane Pack Site

Intel i9 10900k
Gigabyte Z490 Aorus Elite AC
64GB Corsair DDR4 2933 Vengeance RGB Pro
AMD XFX 7900 XTX Merc310 Black Edition
LG UltraGear 38GN95B-B 38" monitor
Corsair HX1200 PSU
1TB EVO 980 Pro M.2 PCIe x4 SSD
2TB EVO 980 Pro M.2 PCIe x4 SSD
Two 2TB EVO 860 SSDs
Sound Blaster ZxR
Win 10 x64 Pro
HOTAS Cougar #4069 w/Uber II Nxt mod #284 & UTM bushings
#4572321 - 06/20/21 04:57 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
Thanks Nixer and Argon V.

Nixer - When I weather a model I try to think of the environment it's 'lived' in for a while. I then try to apply that to every element of the subject. I'm not the greatest at weathering but I do think I can claim consistency and realistic 'less is more' approach, which I'm really happy with.

Here are the drop tanks. These needed the raised panel lines removing, and scribing back in. I then had to add the fasteners that hold the front and rear section to the centre. I did this by using plastic card to make a 'slide on' guide with positions drawn on to show me where to make the detail. I also made drain plugs with the RP Toolz hexagon punch and die set. I gave them a strong pre-shade and then slowly built up Hataka RAF Dark Green before adding the decals, some weathering to the nose and fasteners, a Flory Models 'Grime' wash and, finally, a flat coat.


[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Thanks for looking in,
Gareth


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4572432 - 06/22/21 12:45 AM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19,381
Ajay Offline
newbie
Ajay  Offline
newbie
Veteran

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19,381
Brisbane OZ
Tanks look absolutely fantastic Goon.

I've been trying to get my hands on Flory wash for sometime now, all nil stock Australia and postage from os is dearer than the actual washes. I did get some VMS clears that i am eager to try and i am going to have to bite the bullet on that postage as i want to use the wash with the new clear on the next build. Money man smile


My il2 page
Seelowe Campaign
Cliffs of Dover page
CloD
My Models
Tanks/Planes/Ships


#4572943 - 06/27/21 05:35 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
goon Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
goon  Offline
Apex avoidance specialist
Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,581
Stone, UK
The Flory washes go a really long way. covering a lot of models have a really long shelf life, so even if they are more expensive to get in Australia they'll still be pretty good value. I thnk UMP make some similar 'sludge' washes that work the same way, so maybe check availability of them?

A small update with the outriggers detailed. I had originally painted and weathered these a little while ago, adding the Flight Path tie down rings and some placards from the decal file. Then a friend me some photos of a museum example with a lot more detail apparent on the rams that actuate the legs themselves. I've added an approximation of this.

As ever there are many rivets that need filling and sanding, but I left the line along the separation between the tow parts of the fairing. These nearly always appear weathered and bare, which I guess is due to repeatedly removing them for maintenance. The retaining straps for the pipes are made from some bits of heat shrink tube.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

More soon thumbsup


cheers
Gareth

UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing.
OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing.
HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall.
TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you.

Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
#4572959 - 06/27/21 08:23 PM Re: Airfix 1/24 Harrier GR.3 [Re: goon]  
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 24,029
oldgrognard Offline
Administrator
oldgrognard  Offline
Administrator
Lifer

Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 24,029
USA
Well, that’s just …. incredible. I can’t tell you how humbling it is to see this kind of work.


How did you do those data plates?


Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

Someday your life will flash in front of your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  RacerGT 

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Copyright 1997-2016, SimHQ Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0