Hawker Harrier GR1

NEW AND IN VIEW NEW AIRCRAFT KITS
FROG: Hawker Siddeley Harrier G.R. Mk. I. 1/72 scale, Price 8/6d.

This latest in Frog's series of re-releases of Hasegawa originals is a very good model. It is generally, though not completely, accurate, neatly pressed and finely detailed. The parts are moulded in white plastic of excellent quality, which simplifies painting considerably.

Though we do not normally compare directly kits of the same aircraft by different manufacturers, this one has followed so closely on the heels of the Airfix model that comparisons are anavoidable, especially as both are excellent specimens of the kit manufacturer's art. Both are generally accurate, the nose contours of the Frog kit are better (the Airfix model's nose is too short and thin, and its canopy too short) while the awkward sections round the engine exhausts are handled better by Airfix who also score by reason of the ingenious extension which allows all four exhausts to pivot simultaneously (those of the Frog kit only swivel individually). There is not much to choose between the two on the grounds of surface detail but the Frog model's recessed control surface hinge lines and beautifully detailed exhausts give it the edge. The fit of the parts of both models is also good, though the Airfix kit is definitely the easier to assemble as the exhaust fairings are moulded into the fuselage halves instead of being separate parts and its wings are in halves instead of having inserts. On the other hand this results in slightly thicker trailing edges.

As far as the decals are concerned, there is no comparison. Frog now have the reputation of offering the finest decal sheets in the business and that offered with this Harrier fully meets their high standards. Alternative markings are provided, together with a very considerable amount of stencilling etc. all of which is legible. By comparison, the Airfix sheet, though satisfactory as far as it goes, is very ordinary. Unfortunately, the printing of the otherwise excellent colour scheme drawing on the box of the Frog kit could be better, and it is by no means easy to make out the correct positioning of some of the smaller decals.

Neither instruction sheet is particularly informative. Frog's is perhaps slightly the better of the two, as it is larger and the drawings are less cramped but both can easily be misunderstood. A good point of the Frog's sheet is the indication that weight is necessary in the model's nose.

Both kits offer good value for money; the Airfix model in particular, as it is little more than half the price of its rival. Which is chosen by any particular' modeller will depend purely on his personal preferences. This reviewer found that both were equally worthwhile and thinks that most modellers will feel the same.
W.R.M.

The IPMS magazine, APRIL 1970. VOL. 7 No. 4

Modelling world
by James Goulding
New Frog kits
Hawker Harrier GR1

THREE new Frog releases, all originating from Hasegawa, are now available—the North American RA-5C Vigilante, the Hawker Harrier GR1, and the North American F-100D Super Sabre.

Hasegawa's version of Hawker's unique army support fighter is the best yet, except for the tailplane. This is a little on the small side and the plan form is not quite correct. This is one item which is more accurate in the Airfix model (reviewed in the November 1969 issue—EDITOR), but generally this new release is, to me, more convincing. The cockpit depth is more correct and the wing aerofoil section more accurately contoured. For anyone who has the money, the inclination, and is really concerned with accuracy, the solution would be to combine the best features of both kits!

The moulding of the subtle contours of the fuselage has been divided into several parts, the area round the intakes, and the rear jet outlet fairings being separate from the main fuselage. This results in the intake contours looking rather like bulbous appendages on the fuselage sides, and they do require some fairing. On the real aircraft there is a feint line where there is a change of contour on the lower part of the intake fairing, but reduced to 1/72 scale this would be almost non-existent. But after smoothing out the joints with body putty the general effect is very pleasing. The separate moulding of the intake throat is a good idea, and the appearance of these, and the fan-blading inside, looks effective.

As I said in my previous Harrier review, the shape of this aeroplane is such that painting the fuselage after the assembly of the wings is very difficult, due to the jet outlet fairings and the excessive dihedral of the wing. Either partial or complete painting of the fuselage is therefore advisable before adding the wings. Also the lower surface of the wing should be painted, and the transfers applied, before the weapon pylons are added.

There is an impressive array of stores with this kit, including four rocket pods, recce pod, drop tanks, gun packs, and a single bomb for the underfuselage weapon pylon.

The transfers are for two different Harriers, both from the RAF Wittering Harrier Conversion Unit, and both were participants in the London to New York Air Race. Harriers of 1 Squadron now carry the unit markings on their noses and there will undoubtedly be an ever-increasing variety of versions of the Harrier from which to choose in the coming year—both Royal Air Force and foreign.

Cost of this excellent kit is 8s 6d.

AIRCRAFT Illustrated, May 1970

NEW KITS AND MODELS
NEW BY FROG

TWO more Frog releases in 1:72 scale are issued from original Japanese Hasagawa scries moulds, and these are for the Harrier and the long awaited F-100D Super Sabre. The Harrier, of course, duplicates the recent Airfix model, but at 8s 6d has little to justify its being twice the price of the Airfix model other than a much better and more detailed transfer sheet (for two alternative Transatlantic Air Race machines) and a slightly more complex break-down of the fuselage parts. For instance, some small fittings which are moulded integrally with the Airfix fuselage are separate items in the Frog kit. The airbrake can also be opened or closed, while in the Airfix model it is fixed in position. It's an excellent model, despite the price, however.

Airfix Magazine, May 1970, Vol.11 No.09

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
This month's colour subject

As a genuine service aeroplane, the Hawker Siddeley Harrier is unique today and bids fair to remain so well into the future. It is generally accepted that the Soviet Union still has some way to go before it can add to the V-VS hardware inventory a combat aircraft capable of emulating the Harrier's V/STOL capabilities while carrying a worthwhile ordnance load. The adoption of this British warplane by the US Marine Corps is tribute enough to the remarkable potentialities of the Harrier, and this strike and reconnaissance fighter is illustrated (opposite) in both RAF and USMC markings. It is worthwhile noting, incidentally, that while both services employ the same camouflage pattern, that of the RAF is applied in matt polyurethane while that of the USMC is gloss!

While there are rumours in the grapevine of something big and spectacular in the form of Harrier kits being on one manufacturer's stocks, at the time of writing only two kits of this aircraft are available; that from Frog at 47p which is a re-release of a Hasegawa original, and an offering from Airfix at 24p. Both are excellent specimens of the kit manufacturer's art and both are generally if not completely accurate. The Frog Harrier is moulded in high-quality white plastic which aids painting considerably, and the fit of the component parts of both kits is good, although the Airfix kit is definitely the easier of the two to assemble as the exhaust fairings are moulded into the fuselage halves rather than as separate parts, and its wings are in halves instead of having inserts, although this produces somewhat thicker trailing edges.

The forward fuselage contours of the Frog Harrier score over those of its Airfix competitor, the nose and canopy of the latter being too short, but the awkward sections around the engine exhausts are handled better by Airfix which also gains points by reason of the ingenious extension which allows all four exhausts to pivot simultaneously whereas those of the Frog kit only swivel individually. The surface detail of the two kits compares closely in quality, although the Frog offering enjoys a slight edge by reason of its recessed control surface hinge lines and beautifully-detailed exhausts. In so far as decals are concerned, it can only be said that Frog now enjoys the reputation of offering the finest decal sheets in the buisness, and the decals accompanying the Harrier kit do full justice to this reputation. The best that may be said of Airfix's decal sheet is that, as far as it goes, it is satisfactory. Both kits make up into the Harrier GR Mk 1 and both are to 1/72nd scale. The Airfix kit, at little more than half the (UK) price of its competitor, is excellent value, but this is not to suggest that the Frog kit is over-priced as it, too, offers good value — keenly competitive pricing is, however, becoming increasingly the name of the modelling game!
W R MATTHEWS

RECENTLY ISSUED KITS

Air Enthusiast 1971-08 vol.01 no.03

Aviation News Vol 3 Num 8 20 September-3 October 1974
KIT COMMENT
FOUR MORE FROM MATCHBOX
WW2 and modern strike aircraft released
HARRIER MODEL

The Matchbox Harrier like the Jaguar has been built by any number of companies in large and small size. Note the comparison between this 1:72nd scale model against the enormous 1:24th scale example from Airfix! It is in fact interesting to put the two models together so that the super detail of the much larger scale can be tried out against that of the smaller edition to see if they look alike. A glance at the photograph at the top of the page will reveal that both large and small kits are satisfactory replicas.

Basically the Matchbox model is a simplification of the larger one. All the essentials are there but made in such a way that they can be fitted easily together and can be readily built by the junior modeller. Matchbox do not provide a great variation in armament for the underwing and fuselage positions and we feel it a pity that the cannon packs have, for example, been missed off.

The other slight problem we had with this kit was the positioning of the wings in the initial stages of construction. They have to be set at the right angle allowing the outrigger wheels to just touch the ground when fitted. There's no guide on how this should be done and it's a case of trial and error.

Markings are provided for an aircraft of No. 3 Squadron RAF a valuable addition to these found in the other 1:72nd scale models of the Harrier) and for a US Marines AV-8Aof VMA-513. A criticism we had from one of our younger readers when asked how he liked this kit suggested that Matchbox have got the decal sheet slightly confused. The RAF and Marines markings were mixed up together and the instruction sheet was not clear enough in sorting out one from the other. The result was that a very rapid change had to be made alter one set of markings was applied.

This is a much simpler model to build than either the Airfix or the Frog Harrier of equivalent scale and our only real criticism concerns the lack of armament variation. Otherwise it is an extremely good and well made kit.

Aviation News Vol 3 Num 8 20 September-3 October 1974

NEW TO YOU?
Harriers - again!

Matchbox have unleashed yet another 1/72 Harrier kit on the market (why not. a T.2 we ask?). The kit is designed down to a price and is simplified compared with the models put out by other companies.

Nevertheless apart from the rear of the canopy which appears too wide and the fin which is a little too sharp at the tip, the model appears to be fairly accurate. Panelling is very deep and detail sparse, the ducts have been left open on the intakes, and these could be improved with little squares of 5 thou plasticard cemented before attaching to fuselage to simulate partly retracted doors.

Pat Lloyd finished our review model as aircraft 'B' of 1st squadron on exercise 'WHITE TENT' Winterigation at R.N.A.F. Base at Gardermoen, Norway. The model was painted in conventional colours, with roundels in appropriate positions. Then a thin washed-out coat of matt white is applied over all green areas and markings (in reality washab'e distemper), so a pristine finish is hot essential. At 26p this represents good value.

And while we're on the subject of Harriers, we've just received the Airfix 1/24 version at last, scheduled for September release, the kit comes in an enormous box, and contains nearly 300 parts, all of which are liable to be broken in the two plastic bags, that rattle to and fro.

Nevertheless, while our Harrier expert Pat Lloyd tackles the monster (at the same time looking into a T.2 conversion possibly!), we'll content you with the following brief resume of the contents.

Over 40 parts make up the superb Pegasus Mk. 102 engine, which has operable jet nozzles and a highly detailed impeller that rotates, we found the fit of engine halves a bit poor but this may have been peculiar to our sample. Other interior detail includes an excellent cockpit (this time without 'glass' inserts for the intrument panel), wheel wells and speed brake housing.

Undercarriage can be made to retract all doors being operable; nice touches are a pair of Ferry wing tips as well as the norm, the refuelling probe and a fine assortment of underwing stores including Aden gun packs, Matra rocket packs, bombs, drop tanks and Sidewinder missiles.

Rubber wheels are supplied, an excellent (although gloss) decal sheet with all the stencilling, and the usual instruction booklet with colour four views of the R.A.F. and U.S.M.C. schemes the kit offers. For an approximate retail price of £4.15 this kit is sure to be a winner, and we'll be discussing it in depth.

There is a problem that is always with us and some readers have written to point out our apparent 'late reviews'. To appraise, build and photograph a review kit properly and get it to the reader before or as the kit becomes available we have to receive the kit a month ahead of release date, and through no fault of the manufacturer this is virtually an impossibility. So it's a case of 'bear with us folks' while we make up the current batch of goodies. In the meantime we expect some more Series II Matchbox kits in the not too distant future and G. Sutcliffe of Contrail who produces some fine 1/72 vac-form kits informs us that his programme for 1974/75 includes a Saro London, Super-marines; Southampton, Scapa and Stranraer, Blackburn Iris, Blackburn Perth, Shorts, Calcutta, Rangoon and Sarafand, and lastly the W.W.II Shetland and Lerwick. What a wonderful selection of types! Flying Boat fans need no longer feel out of it and we will keep readers posted as these kits become available; we can see them being much in demand. A checklist may be in order at this stage to outline the latest releases at the time of going to press:-

Scale Models, September 1974 Volume 5 No. 60