Italeri

1/72 BAe Harrier GR.3 "Falkland"

Kit Number: 551278

Reviewed by  Paul Bradley, IPMS# 35554

MSRP: $22 Kit Supplied by MRC/Academy: www.modelrec.com The Harrier needs no introduction, and its role in the re-taking of the Falkland Islands for the British is legendary, so I'll skip the usual historicals, and dive straight into the box. Housed inside Italeri's standard awkward end-opening box are two sprues of grey parts and a small clear sprue. This is a re-issue of the old Esci kit, and I for one am grateful for Italeri for re-issuing what is generally considered to be the best 1/72 first-generation Harrier around. While these molds may be some 20 years old, they are as fresh as the day the first little 'uns were pressed. No raised panel lines here either - its lightly engraved surface detail all the way. This issue of these molds is labeled as Harrier GR.3 "Falkland", to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that conflict. Markings are included for three machines, only one of which was a Harrier that served in the Falklands. But lest anyone think you can make a Falklands War Harrier, think again - one set of decals does not a Falklands Harrier make. One important feature missed by Italeri is that most, if not all, Harriers in the theater had a small fairing scabbed on under the nose for an I-Band transponder - this is completely missed, but can be added by shaping a piece of scrap plastic. The bombs are completely incorrect - there are what pass for two BL755 cluster bombs and two 1,000lb bombs, but both types are badly ill-shapen compared to the real thing. An often-used weapon in the Falklands were the 2" naval rocket pods - these are not included, nor are the standard RAF rocket pods otherwise commonly seen on early Harriers. Other minor details that will need to be added for a true Falklands War machine are tie-down rings on the outrigger legs, and two chaff dispensers behind the airbrakes. You really aren't getting what it says on the box! As for what you do get, the parts are very nicely molded with fine engraved panel lines and good detail for a 1/72 kit. The cockpit is a bit sparse, but not much can be seen in all honesty. Some scrap plastic or basic etched metal set will upgrade the area, as would a new resin or white metal sea t to replace the undernourished one provided, which in any case looks like a Stencil seat rather than a Martin Baker. Fit is good and I used very little filler overall, just a touch under the wings. The upper wing surfaces are a one-piece fixture that ensures the correct anhedral on the wings. Though the undercarriage is very nice, I opted to put this one on a stand and had the wheels up. Paint was my usual Xtracrylix, Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey in a wraparound scheme. Decals were from the box and I decided to do the post-Falklands No.4 Sqn aircraft. Stores as mentioned are somewhat unsatisfactory, and I ended up leaving them all off and adding a set of Jen's Brit Bits CBLS practice bomb carrier unit. This resin set includes two bomb carriers plus eight tiny 20lb practice bombs, all neatly cast in tan resin. I painted the units in Dark Green, and the bombs in French Blue as befits their inert status. Jen's Brit Bits is an expanding range of resin accessories applicable to British aircraft, and information and pricing are available from Jen's shop at the Britmodeller website, or by e-mail from desmojen "at" aol.com. So, Italeri's marketing men have gotten in the way of what is otherwise a nice little kit. It is a nice kit and I can highly recommend it as an early Harrier, but all is not what the box says and you should be aware of this before you buy. My thanks to Ed Sexton at MRC for the review samples. Italeri products are available from Model Rectifier and from leading hobby retailers.

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