1:48 BAe Harrier GR.5

The real subject

The Harrier GR.5 was the British second-generation version of the vertical takeoff attack aircraft, which the Royal Air Force received in the second half of the 1980s. Compared with the older machines it had a larger wing made of composites, a higher load capacity and more modern cockpit equipment. Power came from a turbofan engine with swiveling nozzles, thanks to which the aircraft can manage a short takeoff and a vertical landing and does without a long runway.

What the kit offers

A model of the Harrier GR.5 in 1:48 scale. It is supplied unassembled and unpainted, so the builder cleans up, glues and paints the parts himself. In this scale the characteristic features of the real subject stand out: the deep cockpit tub with its large canopy, the leading edge root extensions and the four swiveling nozzles on the sides of the fuselage.

Building and painting tips

The cockpit is clearly visible under the large canopy, so it is worth spending time on it before the fuselage is closed up. Mask the canopy before spraying, not after the paint has dried. Decide the position of the swiveling nozzles according to how you want the model displayed, and glue them only after a dry fit. Assemble the landing gear with its outrigger legs under the wing according to the instructions, otherwise the model will not stand level.

Who it is for

The kit suits a modeler with experience of an ordinary aircraft build who wants a modern British machine for the collection. The build calls for no cutting and no joining of two kits; the time goes mainly into the cockpit and into a clean fit of the fuselage.

Paints, glue and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.