Harrier and Sea Harrier

[Mossie]

I'd noticed it, it's been in the 'future releases' section for nearly two years.  Definately intersting for any Harrier nut.

[pyro-manic]

Harrier with a chin intake, there's a thought...

[elmayerle]

I wonder, has anybody else noticed that Unicraft are advertising a HS.1127 HSF - "High Speed Helicopter" (I wonder if that is a real designation) kit?   Looks interesting and has potential, I think.

That's one of the early P.1127 iterations before Hawker and Bristol Siddley combined thoughts to do the four-poster Pegasus.

[harrier]

FYI some links to images of the Indian Limited Upgrade Sea Harrier (LUSH).

Images with outboard missile rails with one Magic and one Israeli Derby missile, taken on board INS Viraat (ex-Hermes):

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Galleries/5267-1/viraat01+039.jpg

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Galleries/5303-2/viraat01+057_1_.jpg

Webpage showing new radome for Elta EL/M 2032 radar:

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/02/photos-limited-upgrade-sea-harrier-lush.html

So, 50 years on from the first P.1127 flight, and probably the last 'new' variant appears, a long way from Kingston/Dunsfold!

[Gondor]

Great links to some very nice pics of the Indian SHAR.

Doesn't look that much different from the normal one.

Does anyone know of a source for markings ?

Gondor

[harrier]

LUSH/Elta patch:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_o_no4M2xEPY/So67pmXzpmI/AAAAAAAAH90/mPT5WcjKmPo/s1600/!B(BwwjgBWk~%24(KGrHgoH-DsEjlLl0BVjBK,MOVvRE!~~_12.jpg

Seems to indicate a different radome to that in photos, more like the F/A.2.

Anyone able to compare the photos of the LUSH aircraft linked to above to an 'old' FRS.51 with Blue Fox (using some imaging software maybe) to see if the radome is indeed different or if it is the grey colour that makes it look longer (to me!) than the old black radome? E.g.:

http://www.acig.org/artman/uploads/shar_simba3.jpg

Doesn't look very different indeed, Gondor. Even the wing is unmodified to cope with twin outboard missiles - BAe gave up on twin AMRAAM for FRS.2 as it was destabilising, and even a single AMRAAM needed leading edge mods, while twin Sidewinders needed autostab/autopilot tweaks IIRC.

[Gondor]

Here is a link for the Derby medium range missile http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/alto.htm

I wonder if the twin launch rail is anything like the sidewinder one with the recent Airfix Harrier ?

Gondor

[rickshaw]

I would suggest the photos that are linked to in the first post - http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/02/photos-limited-upgrade-sea-harrier-lush.html - IMHO indicate that they have extended the nose.  There appears to be a more "pointed" appearance to it and a separate, new panel line behind the radome.

[Gondor]

rickshaw,

that panel line is original and helps the nose fold back on itself so that the tip is pointing aft for stowage and servicing. Though now I have checked my references I do see that there is a subtle difference in the shape of the radome just forward of it's rear edge.

Interesting IL-38 in the background of that picture though.

Gondor

[Shasper]

IMHO it looks the same to me except the color . . . but I'll wait for AFM or Combat Aircraft mags to feature it

[Thorvic]

It looks like the point of the nose cone is is lower down and off the centreline axis from the Blue Fox radom but it doesnt appear any larger.

G

[harrier]

Does anyone know the antenna size for Blue Fox and EL/M.2032 (e.g from Jane's - all mine in storage)? That might help I think, assuming the latter does not have any antenna size you like!

[Gondor]

harrier,

the info I found for the EL/M.2032 said that the weight of the radar would depend on the antenna size and of course there was no antenna size given.

Anyone know of the dimensions of a Derby/Alto missile as it would be a neat thing to hang from any aircraft other than the Indian SHAR

Gondor

[Jschmus]

Anyone know of the dimensions of a Derby/Alto missile as it would be a neat thing to hang from any aircraft other than the Indian SHAR

Wikipedia lists these dimensions for the Derby AAM:

    * Length: 362 cm
    * Span: 64 cm
    * Diameter: 16 cm
    * Weight: 118 kg
   
As for modeling one, I think you could get away with one of the older, less accurate AMRAAM representations, and just rework the fins.  For comparison, the AIM-120 is listed with a length of 370 cm, a span of 45 cm and a diameter of 18 cm.

[dy031101]

Anyone know of the dimensions of a Derby/Alto missile as it would be a neat thing to hang from any aircraft other than the Indian SHAR

If I remember correctly, Brazilian F-5EMs/FMs have carried Derbys under the outboard wings as well.