Airfix Harrier GR.7 – page4

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Whilst this may seem like a lot of work, filling the lower doors and rescribing the outline is worth the effort on you finished model. This is all part of trying to really capture the essence of the type that I’m modelling and with the Harrier, the intake doors are certainly a key distinguishing feature. Another is the sit of the whole aircraft on the ground – more of that shortly!

The intakes are handed so make sure you fit them as per the instructions. It immediately becomes apparent that some filler and work is going to be needed here, but, hey isn’t this what modelling is all about? I think so. In fact I really enjoyed this task. This is the first time I’ve used this Vallejo white filler and it performed quite well, although you do need to apply it thinly and come back and apply other layers as needed. This is because, (like Squadron White and Green Stuff) it does sink when fully dry. I decided to add cyano to get a hard top layer that can be lightly re-scribed with a scalpel. You can use Dymo sticky plastic tape cut into small strips to act as a guide when scribing (see your Techniques Bank) or, if you’re careful, freehand by eye, but this isn’t recommended.

As you can see, the intakes are ready and all is progressing well now.

It’s time to take a long look at the overall shape and look of the work so far. I decided that the upper rear decking fuselage shape has too much of a ‘hump’ in it and this is easily improved by sanding with one of MDCs excellent sanding blocks (see Techniques Bank). The fine surface is restored by buffing and polishing using one of the nail buffers I bought from the supermarket (again, see the Techniques Bank).
The leading edge of the fin is also much too thick as are the trailing edges of the rudder and main wings. If you haven’t already done so, it’s worth giving these a seeing to with your buffers and sanders to reduce them to a realistic, more pleasing thinner section. Easy to achieve, but do watch that raised detail? In fact this process caused me to review my initial thought to keep most of the raised detail. In fact, most has been removed, just leaving a little near the leading edges of the wings and some on the under surfaces, but the choice, as ever is yours.

Read on…