Sea Harrier AEW.1 and KGR.3 Harrier

sandiego89 · March 07, 2009, 06:02:09 AM

Hello, first submission. The Fleet Air Arm was desperate for Airborne Early Warning for the Falklands Task Force. The Blue Fox Radar on the Sea Harrier had limited range and look down/shoot down capabilities, and a radar with greater range was needed. Through secret involvement from the United States several sets of the powerfull AWG-9 radars from the F-14 Tomcat were shipped to the UK and mounted to harrier t2 airframes. The aircraft were rechristened Sea Harrier AEW1 and were sent south with follow on elements of the task force.

To allow great on station time for the Sea Harriers and Sea Harrier AEW1, several Gr3 harriers were modified to provide buddy refueling. They were modified with a 300 gallon tanks and internal pumps to move fuel around. The starboard tank housed a modified refueling rig from a buccaneer and the aircraft were known as KGR.3's.

The Sea Harrier AEW kit. 1/72 scale. Forward fuselage and tail- old Bobcat Heller T4. Main fuselage and wings Airfix GR3. Radome Revell snapkit F-14 A.

The KGR.3. Airfix GR3.

Thanks Kit!

ChernayaAkula · March 07, 2009, 06:41:33 AM

Way cool!

I wonder if this could actually work?

Captain Canada · March 07, 2009, 07:41:33 AM

Hey, that guy stole my lines !

Great idea....I just love Harriers ! Can we see a few more pics ?

Welcome aboard, eh ?!

John Howling Mouse · March 07, 2009, 07:47:12 AM

Yes, the People demand more pics (please)!

BlackOps · March 07, 2009, 09:01:44 AM

Nice build and idea, and welcome to the group

Hope to see more from you in the future.

sandiego89 · March 07, 2009, 09:42:13 AM

Thanks, a top view

sandiego89 · March 07, 2009, 09:45:53 AM

Rear quarter. The probe is scratch build as it is lnoger than the Sea Harrier/GR3/AV8A family.

sandiego89 · March 07, 2009, 09:51:17 AM

oops, rear quarter

sandiego89 · March 07, 2009, 10:06:43 AM

And the KGR3. Good sources have told me that the harrier/Sea Harrier were never really considered for buddy refueling as they would have little to offer it terms of fuel offload, were not really pumbed to transfer fuel around and center of gravity concerns, but in the Falklands even being able to pass a few thousand pounds would have really helped extend the combat air patrols.

Kit is stock airfix GR3, with 300ish gallon tanks, with the starboard pod with a scratch built wind powered generator and basket.

Taiidantomcat · March 07, 2009, 10:13:02 AM

You have won this Harrier fan over

Nice work

sotoolslinger · March 07, 2009, 11:04:56 AM

Cool concept and nice execution.

Welcome to you.

Joe C-P · March 07, 2009, 12:10:13 PM

Very inventive!

PR19_Kit · March 07, 2009, 12:25:37 PM

Dave,

Excellent, glad you managed to shrink the piccies.

I love the finlets on the AEW1's tailplane, just what would have been needed. BAe may even have resurrected the ultra-tall fin that Hawker first fitted to the trainer Harriers perhaps?

And thanks for the notes from CO 848, they make fascinating reading!

sandiego89 · March 07, 2009, 01:36:53 PM

Kit, yes I thought about the taller fin, an extra 18 inches if i recall, but went with the Bobacat tail Probably every inch would have been needed.

GTX · March 07, 2009, 01:51:30 PM

Nice first submission!

Regards,

Greg