1/72 Hasegawa BAE Harrier GR5 

by Eric Bade

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Model 

Hasegawa definitely produced a much-expected model when they released their series of models of second generation Harriers. Some other models are available on the market, some with quite good shapes, but none with the Hasegawa sharp moulding and recessed panel lines.

These models unfortunately do not come without some shortcomings and concerns. Some can be corrected with a reasonable amount of job while some would need major surgery if they were to be fixed : 

· shape of the kit raises some questions in the nose area as it seems to have kind of a banana shape in front of the cockpit. The lower line of the fuselage curves upwards in a much-pronounced manner. Correcting this would require major surgery

· different versions of the Harrier II being produced from the same original moulds it seems that Hasegawa mostly worked with US machines in mind. Therefore a lot of humps, bumps and antennas specific to British machines need to be added (see wingtip photograph below for instance). This is quite an easy job provided one has proper documentation

· Hasegawa apparently spared themselves some efforts and costs on some details. We all are more or less used to their relatively empty cockpits on their 1/72nd scale models. Unfortunately they did not provide their 1/72nd scale Harriers with a separate airbrake (mandatory with lowered landing gears). Additionally the engine exhausts leave a lot to be desired and separate front landing gear doors would have been a plus. These shortcomings were addressed with a little work.  

This being said, don't get me wrong. I was pleased to build this model and if I were to build another Harrier II I would start from a Hasegawa model. I have never been stressed by 1 millimetre off and I prefer to use sharp starting bases for my modelling projects.

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Building 

As per most kits, building started with the cockpit area. As written above cockpit needs to be detailed. I used an old Eduard PE set (mine was designed for the Italeri Harrier II) and a resin ejection seat. Painting was quite easy, mostly consisting of greys and blacks for walls and consoles with additional greens and brown on the ejection seat. I tried some gold on the seat belts and I was surprisingly satisfied with the result. Bits of colours (red and yellow) were added here and there.  

As the Harrier airbrake is mechanically connected to the landing gears, it is deployed whenever landing gears are lowered. I therefore had to cut the airbrake from the model fuselage using the recessed panel lines of the model as a guide. I was happy to find an airbrake and well in my spare box.

I next had to work on jet intakes and the engine face. Air intakes were painted white an engine was painted silver. I deepened the visual aspect of fan blades with a wash of Tamiya "smoke" (translucent black).  

I then was able to cement cockpit, engine face and airbrake well in one fuselage side then cement fuselage halves together. 

Next important issue I wanted to fix was jet exhausts. Front jet exhausts are hollow but their walls are far too thick in 1/72nd scale. Even worse, rear jet effluxes are solid and need to be made hollow. I used my drooling machine to good effect, being careful not to melt parts with friction heat or to simply file through the plastic. Once this work was completed I still had to build 2 blast fences in each rear exhaust using plastic card. All this makes into quite a long process and Hasegawa certainly did not do a very good job there.  

The last important alteration I wanted to do on my model was thinning of the small additional jet intake doors, consistent in the Harrier family. Hasegawa did quite well but I wanted deeper and sharper effect and I again used thin plastic card.  

From this stage on construction was quite straightforward and the order of the day mainly was to follow instructions.  

Although nearly all (if not all) photographs show Harriers IIs at rest with their front gear doors open, Hasegawa did not provide this option. I understand that technically these doors can remain closed on actual aircraft so I decided to keep my model as is here. Still that is an easy job and my next Harrier II project (certainly a US machine) will be built with open front doors. 

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Painting 

Once the model was built with all main parts in position then everything was sanded smooth (fuselage, wings, air intakes  ) and some details were added (antennas, receivers, chaff dispensers rear of airbrake, PE wing fence on wing leading edge) it was time for painting. As both original RAF Harrier GR5 greens (NATO green and Lichen Green) are available in the Xtracolour range that is the way I went. The lighter Lichen green was airbrushed first then careful masking was done before I sprayed the top darker NATO Green.  

Detailing and completion 

As I had used Xtracolour paints I spared myself the need of a gloss varnish layer. Box decals were used and I had no problems with them. The Hasegawa decals are well designed, thin enough and sharp. I used some thinner here and there with good overall result.  

I added the retractable access step which is connected with the canopy ie step is extended whenever canopy is open. Latest details were added before I sprayed a thin matt varnish layer to complete my model.

Eric 

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Photos and text © by Eric Bade