Airframes
Benevolens Magister
BAe Harreir GR 3, RAF 1417 Flight, Belize. Airfix 1/48th, out of the box.
Well, the not-so-quick build is finally complete! Overall, it's not a bad kit, especially for the relatively low price by current standards. But, there are a number of areas which needed a lot of work and a number of parts which could have been, and should have been, a lot better in their form and moulding. For example, the UHf antennas were more rectangular blobs of plastic, and the IFF blade, moulded onto the fuselage, scales out at around the thickness of a house brick!
The model was built straight from the box, as a gift to a friend who served in Belize in the 1980's, in the Army, and always liked watching the Harriers at Airport Camp, Belize City Airport, and more so when they were supporting him and his comrades on the border with Guetemala!
As he has little interest or knowledge in aircraft other than this, I couldn't see the point of 'going to town' to correct all the little niggles. If I was to build this kit again, which I might for the Cold War GB, then I'd certainly make some major changes, especially around the cockpit, and the canopy in particular. As provided, the canopy can not be realistically posed in the fully open position, due to the shape of the lower frame which, on the real thing, has an extension at the rear end which forms the rear, upper coaming of the air intakes. Still, it doesn't look too bad, and the base was designed and made to give an impression of the camouflage - netted hides, rather than be a true representation.
Thanks for your interest.
Well, the not-so-quick build is finally complete! Overall, it's not a bad kit, especially for the relatively low price by current standards. But, there are a number of areas which needed a lot of work and a number of parts which could have been, and should have been, a lot better in their form and moulding. For example, the UHf antennas were more rectangular blobs of plastic, and the IFF blade, moulded onto the fuselage, scales out at around the thickness of a house brick!
The model was built straight from the box, as a gift to a friend who served in Belize in the 1980's, in the Army, and always liked watching the Harriers at Airport Camp, Belize City Airport, and more so when they were supporting him and his comrades on the border with Guetemala!
As he has little interest or knowledge in aircraft other than this, I couldn't see the point of 'going to town' to correct all the little niggles. If I was to build this kit again, which I might for the Cold War GB, then I'd certainly make some major changes, especially around the cockpit, and the canopy in particular. As provided, the canopy can not be realistically posed in the fully open position, due to the shape of the lower frame which, on the real thing, has an extension at the rear end which forms the rear, upper coaming of the air intakes. Still, it doesn't look too bad, and the base was designed and made to give an impression of the camouflage - netted hides, rather than be a true representation.
Thanks for your interest.
