1/72 Airfix Harrier GR.7

Gallery Article by Ian Buick on Nov 23 2009

 

This is Harrier GR.7 ZG447 `67` of  Number One Squadron, Royal Air Force, circa around 2003. This jet was involved in Operation Telic in Iraq and I was tempted to model the jet post-war with it's mission marks but thought it more interesting to do Her in an 'eve-of-battle' posture, bombed-up and without identifying squadron markings.

The kit is the quite nice Airfix one that came as 'hi-tech' with white metal bang-seat and photo-etch accessories. The decals are a mixture of kit and spares box.

I began this model around 1992, and little-by-little it has taken shape until finally completed as is. Perhaps seventeen years to build a 72nd scale kit is some kind of record, no-doubt someone will let me know.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

You can get a nice Harrier from this kit, and the ease with which it goes together would make it an ideal starter kit for a novice. Be ready to raid the spares box for weapons as you get Sidewinders and a whole clutch of the now banned BL755 cluster bombs which need replaced if doing an up-to-date Harrier.

An outstanding servant to The RAF and RN, I always love building a Harrier. Next time I won't take so long to finish the job!

Ian Buick

Photos and text © by Ian Buick