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Here’s my completed entry from the VTOL Group Build gang. I made this a fun build, didn’t worry about the little stuff, just did the mods that I wanted…although that turned out to be quite a few off the tweaks list lol The paint scheme I chose is from WestPac in 1992. The armour tan on all the leading edges and the British roundel on the rear fuselage were all special for the squadron. Decals are a bit of a mix based on what I had available, combo of VMA-231 and 331. I tried making the Whistl’n Shitcan nose art decal in 1/32 but alas, it looked beautiful out of the printer and then after I let it dry the ink all balled up in little beads lol maybe another day for that add. The mods include: Flying Leathernecks - HUD, pylons, canopy and wheel masks, an/alq 164 pod, bondo nose to windscreen to get the angle right, scored wings to change get the anhedral, Eduard - exterior details, chaff and flare dispensers, and formation lights, Aires ejection seat. MCW acrylic lacquer paints, a little Vallejo in the cockpit, and Flory washes round out the build. So let’s take a look at this jump jet! Yep, in the have fun category I picked my favorite load out of all the Harriers I have looked at(though I only had a flir in my stash so that’s a substitute lol). Since it was all training it seems to fit the WestPac theme. I love the paint scheme. It makes a colorful addition to my display case

And so it begins! A lot of things have been written about the Harrier series of kits from Trumpeter, and to be honest, a lot of folks have either been scared away from the kit because of a few minor shape issues and the somewhat negative reviews that came out just after its release, and you dont see a ton of them built as a result. The good news is that most of what needs to be "fixed" can be done so without a huge drama post condemning the kit and curse words flying across one's model bench onto the internet. Yes, this will require modeling skill, not just aftermarket, but anybody who has worked with plastic, putty and glue a while should be able to do this. I hope to show that with a bit of work, This can be a really great model. I have spent the better part of 3 weeks in my spare time collecting references, reading build logs all over the internet and watching video of the real aircraft from as many angles as I can. I dont know why, but doing this programs my mind to look for things that are not correct as far as the lines of the "model" aircraft when dry fitting, assembling and painting. It also helps to know that LSP'rs are around and lots of you like to help, so If I'm missing something I will ask for help, count on it! I will be using the following : Trumpeter kit 02286 Harrier II + Aires cockpit set 2171 Aires wheel bays 2116 Eduard photo etch for the exterior 32262 Wolfpack models corrected Air scoops 32061 I will possibly still pick up a vinyl det cord for the canopy and still need some decals. So far I've opened all of the boxes, the kit is fine some of the Aires is broken already, not hard to fix but I wish they would work on their packaging some times. I am currently cleaning up the cockpit resin since that's where I will start. Here is a pic of the whole lot, I just got the Harrier in a trade this morning! Thanks again to Jan and Ernst More as soon as I have something to show, Paul Lets Fly!