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ColinM · Posted: Sun 13 Apr 2008 21:00 pm Post subject:

Ahh. Thank you for explaining.

I have heard of others holding a piece of shaped card as a mask just above the surface while spraying which I am told gives a similar effect.

I have allways used brushes, this is all new to me.

Colin

airfixteen · Posted: Mon 14 Apr 2008 08:40 am Post subject:

Looking Good Owen
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Owen · Posted: Tue 15 Apr 2008 19:02 pm Post subject:

I've managed to get a little more done over the past few evenings.

I've made a start on the decalling. I have to say, the decals are pretty useless. Both codes for the tail disintergrated.

I've fired off an email to Airfix and replacement decals should be coming soon

However, I have a question regarding the u/c on my kit. Whilst the two wheelsets that are on the fuselage are fine, I have a few quibbles about the wing u/c legs. I don't know if my dehidral is up 'creek, but the wing u/c legs sit around 5mm above ground level. It'd be reassuring to know that this is prototypical, but I doubt it. This is a very fustrating problem that I can't see an easy solution to the problem for. Of the images I've seen of GR.3's, none have their wing u/c legs floating like this, nor do they have them tucked away in the up position. Any help?

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ColinM · Posted: Tue 15 Apr 2008 19:13 pm Post subject:

Hi Owen

I built the same kit. I think your dihedral is out. The wings on mine seemed to fit better with a distinct downward droop.

Not sure how to get around it.

Sorry

Colin

Owen · Posted: Tue 15 Apr 2008 19:37 pm Post subject:

Any solutions? Redoing the wings would spell disaster. Any ideas on how to extend the u/c legs?
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ColinM · Posted: Tue 15 Apr 2008 20:12 pm Post subject:

Can you make new legs? Failing that maybe build the thing wheels up?

Colin

morgandude1 · Posted: Tue 15 Apr 2008 21:44 pm Post subject:

I can see in those pics that your dihedral is way too flat.
The trick with Harriers, is to fix the nose wheel, get the dihedral as close as possible with old fashioned tube cement with outriggers attached (tube cement again), whilst having the rear U/C loose in it's hole.
Once you have everything sitting level, get some super glue in the rear U/C hole. Now it should sit on all 4 points.

OK, you will need to fill the upper wing to fuselage seam, but at least it will be on it's wheels.

I reckon a wheels up bird would look good!

Flash Flash · Silver Star Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 2938

That looks rather bad!

Good luck Owen!

You could ways make a great damaged dio ...?
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Owen · Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2008 20:14 pm Post subject:

I've given more thought on what to do with the dihedral problem - I think I'll leave it, but put the Aircraft in a hovering/landing position on a stand. The decals for my Harrier arrived today, quick service or what! There were two sheets in the letter too - one older, one newer.

I've just spent the last 3/4 of an hour decalling, Klearing and working on the base. I've used a bit of 2mm hollow Brass Rod. The base is just a temporary card one that I'll sort out soon.

All armaments have been affixed now. I went for the drop tanks (big bombs

) and smaller rockets. There is no mention of what they are in the instructions, any clues?

I need to level up the angles on the stand before finishing. I'll eventually make a Balsa base, but I probably won't have time so I'll just photograph it with the rough one when done. All it needs now is a couple of coats of Matt Cote to dull it down a little and it'll be done

The nose also needs painting - I'm not sure about the thrust vectorising nozzle thingamyjigs - should these be in a different colour?

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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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ColinM · Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2008 20:46 pm Post subject:

Beautiful model Owen.

I found a picture of a GR1 on the web which suggests nozzles should be a different colour. I used Gunmetal on mine.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK...awker-Siddeley-Harrier/1345099/M/

dancho · Posted: Thu 17 Apr 2008 21:13 pm Post subject:

That's a very clever solution! I don't think I would have thought of it.

I agree that the nozzles should be some kind of "dark aluminum" color. I had a bottle of Polyscale paint called "burnt aluminum" that worked fine. If I hadn't had that I would have just mixed silver and black.
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morgandude1 · Posted: Fri 18 Apr 2008 10:01 am Post subject:

Good fix! Lucky you built the model with the pilot!

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Fri 18 Apr 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

Love the hovering solution.....Only a Harrier can do it, so what better than to show it!

Top notch idea!

All the best

Owen · Posted: Fri 18 Apr 2008 22:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chaps

I've been working hard to finish this one off. The nose and nozzles have been painted in H85 and H56 Humbrol Acrylics respectively. A final coat of Klear was brushed on, and I've just applied a coat of Satin Cote to dull it down a little.

So I guess it is finished. I'll take a few better photo's in natural light when I get the time. For now, these'll have to do:

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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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ColinM · Posted: Fri 18 Apr 2008 22:08 pm Post subject:

Excellent finish.

Colin

dancho · Posted: Fri 18 Apr 2008 22:09 pm Post subject:

Doggone nice.
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Ratch · Posted: Fri 18 Apr 2008 22:41 pm Post subject:

Nicely done

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Owen · Posted: Sat 19 Apr 2008 15:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chaps

I've just been taking a few pictures of some models outside, and did the Harrier at the same time too.

[img]

[/img]
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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sat 19 Apr 2008 18:55 pm Post subject:

Very nice clean looking build Owen, all you need is some sort of clear rod for a permanent display mount and you'll have a real beauty for your collection.

All the best

Ratch · Posted: Sat 19 Apr 2008 21:38 pm Post subject:

Nicely done Owen

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983