Converting the 1/24 Airfix Sea Harrier into to an FA.2 “Homey don’t play ‘micro’ (modeling)” by "Bondo" Phil Brandt

Converting the 1/24 Airfix Sea Harrier
into to an FA.2
“Homey don’t play ‘micro’ (modeling)”

by "Bondo" Phil Brandt

Sea Harrier FA.2

Airfix's 1/24 scale Harrier FRS.1 is available online from Squadron

Introduction

Slowly but surely in his sunset years, this curmudgeon’s kit interests have swung upward and away from his well-populated 1/48 stash into the 1/32 and 1/24 realm, scales today largely ruled–ROG is coming on fast, though–continual price and accuracy complaints of a certain niche of modelers not withstanding, by elves from the, dare I speak its name, PRC. And, the shift’s not because of my eyesight, which isn’t that bad, if you don’t count the cataract surgery I’ve been putting off.....it’s just that teeny, tiny, toylike stuff just doesn’t do it pour moi anymore; size really does matter!

It seems as if it’s been ten years since Bondo Industries acquired and began the big Airfix Sea Harrier (SHAR), later picking up the Heritage Aviation FA.2 conversion set. But, after recently staring at the considerable number of started projects in the 100 F. degree heat of the plastics repository at the “El Rancho Loafo”, I plunged back in to the industrial strength project.

Construction

Very helpful color pictorial (softcover) references:

“The Sharp End”, Neil Mercer, Airlife Publishing Ltd.

“Sea Harrier, a Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller”, Andy Evans, SAM Publications

The large resin aft fuselage plug furnished by Heritage, along with the redesigned radar nose, were the two main pieces to be dealt with. Also helping considerably in the overall project: David Parkins’ extensive Flightpath PE set for the big SHAR, and his cast metal nosegear/wheel set, as well as Heritage resin intakes, large 190 gallon external tanks and seat.

Based on impressive 1/48 Harrier models seen in the second reference above, I decided to add “busy-ness” with an open canopy and engine hatches. Other modelers have done beautiful, beaucoup detailing on the large engine, but I elected to go “stock”, since the hatches would be open just part way; I did add interior walls w/ribbing around the engine, and structure on the inside of said hatches, as well as scratchbuilding the arch which supports the hatches.

Overly thick vortex generators on the wings were sanded off and FlightPath PE ones substituted; same, same for various added cockpit sidewall and instrument coaming details. Flightpath PE also contributed speedbrake interior detail. Heritage furnishes two small cast metal pieces to fair over the sharp “sawtooth” in the standard SHAR wing leading edge into a rounded transition.

Neither the Airfix nor the Heritage standard SHAR resin instrument panel represented the latest model FA.2 version–Heitage says they’ll soon be doing an updated panel-- so I scratchbuilt called-for additions. The Heritage SHAR seat is very nicely detailed, and I used it as is; FlightPath furnishes all kinds of PE enhancements for the painfully plain Airfix seat but I didn’t need the aggravation when all that detail and more was already cast in to the Heritage product.

Getting rid of the very aggressive airframe riveting (now we know where the disappearing Matchbox “trencher” went) was, as has been mentioned by other modelers, a real pain; I used a mudlike, thinned application of Acryl Blue lacquer putty, which is really easy to wet sand.

I scratchbuilt the relocated pitot tube fairing to the vertical fin (note that I haven’t yet replaced the fell-off-and-was-lost first tube attempt).

I chose to build the FlightPath PE accessories: the red SHAR aircrew ladder, as well as red metal intake FOD covers–SHARs apparently use a later, inflated edge-style cover–and yellow nosegear chocks, because they contrast nicely with the boring overall gray expanse of airframe.

Additionally, but not shown in my pix, I built the cast metal Flightpath Aim-9L seeker head covers with PE Remove-Before-Flight streamers, as well as streamers for the external tanks; more much-needed color. The practice weapons pod on the centerline station was scratchbuilt.

Painting and Markings

Finishing began with the standard iterations (for Bondo Industries employees, at least) of Acryl Blue, automotive gray lacquer primer and wetsanding. Tamiya white spraycan primer was used for wheel wells and undercarriages (forgot to mention FlightPath PE detail on same), followed by overall airframe application of Tamiya Medium Sea Gray (FAA 2) lacquer, also een ze spraycan. For large airframes with only one or two colors, IMO, you can’t beat the rapidity and ease of application that Tamiya spraycans offer. For touchups I decanted some through a section of large Slurpee straw from a local gas station/convenience store. Naturally one has to wait for the decanted mixture to warm up and the dissolved gas to perk off.

Decalling wasn’t attempted until I had gone over the applicable areas with up to 8000 grit pads. Then, at the final stage of the project, big trouble....as in decals that didn’t want to part from the backing paper–I had stored them in airconditioned comfort all those years--on the custom FA.2 sheet included with the Heritage set, even after prolonged soaking. Some decals I was able to lift and coax with the tip of an Xacto blade; others simply broke up, including the prominent flying clenched fist logo on the right side of the vertical fin.

And the pink warning stripes? Fuggedddaboudditt! I custom mixed some pink lacquer and hand-masked the warning strips and large “X”es. Rather than go through the laborious task of handcutting a clenched fist mask and then mixing proper pale white paint (good luck on that), I emailed Ian at Heritage re my decal woes, and he kindly sent me, gratis, a replacement sheet which, I’m happy to say, worked perfectly, and I was now able to photograph both sides of the fin!

Final Thoughts

Glad it’s finished–still have to decide on whether or not to shoot a water-based acrylic flat clearcoat. And now, back to the overpowering 1/72 Amodel An-22 trash hauler which, I’m guessin,’ can hold, oh, about twenty of those cute lil’ 1/144 fighters...

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