Airfix 1/24 BAe Harrier GR3 Review - plus bonus Flightpath

[@nickbutler7935]

That was my main Xmas present back in '75. The way it was packed hasn't changed!.

[@beckersmodels]

Still hasnt changed much with the new tool Airfix stuff, although I did not my 1/24 Hellcat was packaged a lot better and more secure - in fact the whole box is full! Cheers, Chris

[@molemarden5188]

I had that kit in the seventies when it first come out.

[@edselreynoso3438]

I remember building the Revell 1/32 Harrier 1 in USMC colors when I was barely a teen ager. it was brand new then and the Harrier was such a fascinating subject. Much overshadowed by the F-15 and F-16, etc in scale modeling which is why I wanted to try the subject in such an imposing scale. Growing up in Brooklyn NY, I had no idea about Airfix' kit. In 2013, after I had retired from the Air Force I saw this kit at a shop in Arizona. I thought "Dear God! its even bigger than the one I built"! I bought it because I wanted to mimic a diorama of this same kit that I saw at the IPMS nationals in Phoenix back in 2010 with a Spanish Navy Harrier doing a maintenance engine run with four ground crew. That big beautiful fan spun up after some radio chatter. I loved the scale, I loved the Spanish colors (rare) and I loved the theme since it was a scene I wanted to recreate with an OA-10 in 1/32. Still have it in my stash as I'm waiting for my life to settle down after divorce. Seeing this video has rekindled that desire to motorize it, although I think I'll have mine rotated on takeoff with the engine running. We'll see. I wish I could attach a nice photo but I don't see how. Anyway, if the Lord should tarry, I might be building it before His return. God Bless.😇🙋

[@neilquarrell7551]

I have this kit in my stash. Always wanted it but could never afford it. Love the plane.

[@ianslee8968]

Find them in small hobby shops all over the uk. Got my extra bits in hobby town store, Uddingstone, just outside of Glasgow. They are top to toe with bits and those strange tardis type back room. If he can’t get it, he’ll know someone who will. Good luck.

[@ianslee8968]

Also cost me £55 on eBay.

[@Marie579]

I can remember making this model as a teenager I'm +60 now and the main undercarriage axle was broken in the box, so I used the airfix parts replacement token to get a new part, it arrived in a Jiffy bag with guess what? Yes broken axles. I finished it eventually ant took pictures of it in the garden as a diorama with onion plants in the background complete with seed heads ! LOL happy days.....😂😂😂

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

I've not only built the 1/24th Scale Harrier GR.3 (still got - hand painted with Tamiya Acrylics), but I actually built 1/1 scale ones at both Kingston & Dunsfold for BAE Systems. Word of warning no two Harriers are exactly the same, so rivet counters beware. Very few raised rivets on the Harrier 1's externally fresh from the Factory, so you wouldn't of seen them and the windscreen is correct.

[@beckersmodels]

Great insight James thanks

[@rbattson7171]

As you say warts and all, overall, a good kit for a reasonably experienced modeller..was an air cadet in the UK in the 70s. And at one model meet! Saw this one completed, with little working lights on the model, with a little diorama. At 13 years old, I was v.impressed. I would be happy to build this kit, it's a great scale.

[@beckersmodels]

Would love to see it retooled though!

[@allgood6760]

Nice!.. we have a GR3 Harrier in a museum here in NZ... thanks from down under👍✈️🇳🇿

[@beckersmodels]

Ah whereabouts, not Wanaka? I miss NZ, I usually go every other year to Stewart Island for a holiday, the aviation museums are fantastic in Middle Earth for sure! Cheers Chris

[@allgood6760]

@@beckersmodels Me in Wellington... there is a GR3 Harrier at Ashburton Aviation Museum... cheers mate! 🇳🇿👍✈️

[@DavidLee-im8tg]

I LOVE Harriers, so much so that I actually have two different boxings of this kit. And I very nearly bought the Sea Harrier version a few years ago too. They are huge boxes as you said and build up ok.... I've now bought/collected/am building all of Kinetic's Harriers and am waiting to see if they will do the composite wing 2nd gen to compete with Hasegawa.

[@beckersmodels]

I should try one of the Kinetic boxings, they look really good.

[@ianslee8968]

Dad flew in the Falkland war. I’m making this for him.

[@DavidLee-im8tg]

@@ianslee8968 Kudos to him. Did he fly a Harrier? A GR3 or FRS1? That must have been pant-wettingly rough, the Argie Mirages were/are objectively better, in most respects, than the Harriers, I know that's sounds almost treasonous but it's true.

[@lesgl]

I built the kit a couple of times back in the 70's and the main bug bear is the big gpp betwen the wings and the fueslage where it fits on..lot of plastic card shims should fix that tho'..once complleted and all tooled up with the bombs n' rockets and what not it's a mean looking model..every inch a Harrier..the lumpy bit at the front of the winscreen is supposed to be there

[@beckersmodels]

Yeah I'm not looking forward to the fit issues, but hey, need a challenge every now and then! Cheers, Chris

[@RWHobbies]

Another great video buddy.

[@christopher5723]

I agree 100% would like to know that piece A20 is that I'm gluing to A13

[@ianslee8968]

I’ve just got a 1/24 jump jet found in a garage I helped stripped. Been looking at it for ages. Also one bag was open and all of the bits were a legitimate nightmare. It’s a 3D jig saw. I’ll post on here start, middle and finish.

[@DeadlyAssets]

I have half a dozen of these in my stash, that I won in auctions, sometimes for as little as £15. I did end up spending about £70 on the FRS.1 version, I wanted it but could never get it for a good price so I ended up paying for it, I have 1 set of Flightpath that probably cost me as much as 3 or 4 of the kits did Lol. I have only started it once and it soon became a shelf queen, my photoetch skills aren't the best so my idea was to gain experience and come back to the massive amount of flightpath photoetch when I'm better at bending/gluing, etc. hence it's been glaring at me from my stash pile for about 6 years and I'm not that much better at photoetch, but I can say I'm much more competent at just about everything else, including 3D modeling and printing. I am going to have a go at modeling the ejector seat and probably the rest of the cockpit & printing them out in resin & seeing how they look, I have a couple of kits I can experiment with :-D

[@beckersmodels]

Impressive stash! I may need a second one if I stuff up the first one - thanks for your comment David, cheers Chris

[@MothaLuva]

3D printing is for those who can’t scratch.

[@stephensolotist4078]

Very helpful video..I really want to build this as a GR3 or the Frs1 from the Hermes but its a bit pricey and hard to find in the US..and do not want to buy a first run mould that may be warped and decals yellowed/worthless..Thank you for all the information

[@beckersmodels]

You're welcome - I think the Kinetic 1/48 Harriers are the best kits on the market, and very well priced. Not the same size obviously, but you won't be disappointed! Cheers Chris

[@stephensolotist4078]

@@beckersmodels I just purged all my 1/48..failed builds sadly including a Kinetic Frs1 with the Big Ed..cannot work in that scale anymore..might give a Trumpeter a go

[@syrmalcolm]

Nice review - good look at this one.

[@beckersmodels]

Thanks Mal!

[@HelixRsix]

I made this monster back in the day it was great back then

[@whiskypops]

Airfix 1/24 kit are great for 70s kit Kitty hawk kintic are the best for accurate details

[@beckersmodels]

Indeed they are - I managed to get a 1/24 Airfix Stuka and it still holds up todays detail!

[@whiskypops]

@@beckersmodels yup I got the stuka too nice kit airfix is a hit an miss I got the 1/48gr3 harrier it's crap I'm waiting for a 1/24 gr1 harrier I ordered .but air fix is release ing the 1/24 harrier this year? It on there website

[@hugoarcada]

A kit this large would be great with all flaps, slats, nozzles, landing gear, canopy down/open.

[@beckersmodels]

My current idea is inflight hovering, wheels down...we'll see! Cheers Chris

[@ianslee8968]

I’m doing a Falkland war I picked up as a jig saw. Lol. No instructions and no decals. Got some now but can’t find the right colours for the Falkland series. Any help? I’m using Humbrol enamel paint. Cheers bro.

[@ianslee8968]

Harrier jump jet. Sorry.

[@stevelyons1962]

Do you airbrush Mr Surfacer on, and if you do what do you use to clean it out of the airbrush?

[@beckersmodels]

HI Steve, if you mean the 500 grit stuff, no I'd apply that with a brush. To fill the holes on the Harrier would require at least two applications I reckon. I regularly airbrush the 1200 and 1500 stuff, and I just use regular lacquer thinner from the hardware store to clean it out. I use Mr Levelling Thinner to thin it (usually 40/60 thinner to surfacer) Cheers Chris.

[@stevelyons1962]

Thanks@@beckersmodels, it's the 1200 or 1500 that I was asking about, sorry I should have been clearer. That's the Diggers stuff from Bunnings I take it?

[@beckersmodels]

thats the stuff, I go through it like shit through a goose....I just buy a big tin as I dont like going to Bunnings that often!

[@midnightmodeling1639]

I'd like to see Hobbyboss do a GR/8 in 1/48.

[@beckersmodels]

Or 1/32 perhaps? I'd say Kinetic will do that in 1/48 first...cheers Chris

[@timorvet1]

RES/KIT item No RS24-0005 resin wheel set for this kit.

[@beckersmodels]

Lovely thanks - didn't know they had released this - I have all their stuff for the CH-53, I shall order this presently! Cheers, Chris

[@michaeldillon3022]

Holy crap.....what a monster, too jetty for me, but it's huuuge

[@beckersmodels]

Its pretty big overall for sure. I have one of the Trumpeter 1/32 Harriers, its a better size probably!

[@Darrenmccall74]

The stand is like the F117 Stealth Fighter

[@beckersmodels]

Yes, and best to throw it in the bin! Cheers Chris

[@RichardsModellingAdventures]

The Canopy mouldings on these kits are a disgrace. Goof luck getting them to fit or look I have tried three, none of them are useable. I'm going down the vac form route

[@johnnoble01]

You kids are spoilt. 😉

[@beckersmodels]

Guilty as charged..

[@1965GJS13]

This is a horrible kit. Just for starters, the fit of the canopy windshield and cockpit instrument coaming is just terrible. It *really* shows it's age. You will need to do a *lot* of work to make it: a) fit together, and b) be accurate.

[@beckersmodels]

Well it is Airfix....but I do intend on putting the work in, I have their 1/24 Mustangs and Spitfires too - equally as troublesome, but should look once finished....I hope... At least you know what you're getting here as opposed to the new stuff, which I don't trust at all. Cheers, Chris

[@1965GJS13]

@@beckersmodels I'm sure, with your skills, the end result will be brilliant. And like you say, you're not going in to this without forewarning, but watch the fit of everything, it's typical 70's Airfix! ('nuff said!) Makes modern Italeri or Kitty Hawk nightmares look good in comparison. I built it when I was a teenager (not saying how many decades ago that was...), but this was a fairly new-tool kit at the time (Christmas or birthday - I forget which now - present from Mum & Dad). Personally I prefer the GR.1 to (bad-nose-job style) GR.3, but that's just me and my nostalgia. Good Luck! Will be very interested to see the in-progress build videos.

[@timcampbell1830]

Good and helpful review Chris. I still want to get one of these. I’ve seen a couple of them built up superbly.

[@eddiebirdie1545]

Movable parts "might be a bit too gimicky" and you blame Airfix for damage caused by bad shipping companies, wow Airfix just can't win with you.

[@beckersmodels]

Shipping companies have nothing to do it with it, its lazy packaging by Airfix - compare them to other companies like Trumpeter/Hobby Boss or Tamiya etc. And its not a one off, almost everything Airfix kit I've had has had some problem with its packaging, as they still cling to using one bag to shove everything into it and/or use a completely wrong size box that everything shuffle around, leading to breakages (my 1/48 EE Lightning had a fuselage crack in the middle due to this). Only Revell are as bad with their stupid end opening boxes made out of paper thin cardboard...

[@TheFunkhouser]

AIRFIX!! Gahhh no thanks