Harrier FA.2 - Finished!

[Hobbes]

I'm working on the Airfix 1:72 SHAR:



It'll get a nonstandard paintjob and decals; it won't be a British-operated aircraft. Not even a naval aircraft. Details to follow when it's done.

I'm scratchbuilding some weapons for it; this is an SRAAM launch container:



as seen here on the trials aircraft:



photo source

[thedarkmaster]

Likimg the look of this one, will be watching this as it goes on 

[PR19_Kit]

What did you build the SRAAM launcher from please Hobes?

[Hobbes]

I used styrene rod and plate. The ends of the rods needed to be cone-shaped, so I clamped the rod in my cordless drill and ran it over some sandpaper.
Luckily the basic shape is simple: two missile tubes, a plate on top, another smaller tube between the two main tubes. The doors on the front of the tubes will require some putty and careful shaping.

I'll take some better pictures soon. My camera takes crappy pictures in low light levels.

[Pablo1965]

Fearsome and Nice, I love this configuration.

[Army of One]

Hobbes.......can I ask.....any major issues putting it together....? I was thinking of a couple of these for my Maltese AF........seems like a nice kit in the box.....many thanks.....H

[Hobbes]

I haven't installed the canopy, wheels or weapons yet, but no issues so far. The fuselage fits well and is easy to build, only the seam between the wing and the fuselage needs a tiny bit of filler. It's a very nice kit.

[Army of One]

Hobbes....many thanks for taking the time to reply....and so quickly....seen them for bout £6.50 here.........H

[Hobbes]

Did some work on the weapons today; I've got two Meteors from a Revell Typhoon that I wanted to use, but I noticed they're made for the conformal carriage stations on the Typhoon, so they're missing the fins on top. Had to scratch those. Luckily you can use the bottom fins as a pattern: the top and bottom fins are identical.

Then I remembered that the Meteor in-service date doesn't match the backstory I have in mind for this build, so it's on to plan B: AMRAAMs. Or something like them.

[Mossie]

I like those launchers.

[Weaver]

Watching this with interest - how are you going to do the raised rings around the tubes?

[Hobbes]

I've got some Evergreen stock that's 1 mm wide x 0.25 mm thick. I've wrapped a length around the tube and glued it in place. Some PSR is needed, but it looks pretty convincing.

[Hobbes]

Progress on the missile tubes:

Evergreen wrapped around the tube, held in place with tweezers:

When it's in place, I run a bead of glue along the sides of the strip, this provides a soft edge that makes it look a bit more like the real thing.


I've also added the front of the tube. This is another piece of plastic rod, a bit thicker, and two small pieces of Evergreen stock glued to the side to represent the hinges of the missile doors.

[GTX]

 

[NARSES2]

Great detail work Harro