BAE Sea Harrier

Pt I

1/48 scale

Model Alliance Decals

Reviewed by Mick Evans

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Model Alliance has produced another fine quality decal sheet depicting Royal Navy and Indian Navy Sea Harriers.  The decals are available in both 1/72 scale and 1/48 scale.  The decals are designed for the 1/72 Scale Hasegawa, Fujimi, Italeri/Esci kits and the 1/48 Scale Airfix or Tamiya kits.

The schemes depicted are mostly early colour schemes depicting white under surfaces and high visibility markings. 

The decals are superbly printed with good colour saturation and register.  As usual the carrier film is ultra thin and my experience with Model Alliance Decals in the past has been that the decals have to be handled carefully and snuggle down into the surface detail well.  The carrier film then almost totally disappears under a coat of clear. 

Model Alliance has once again done a superb job of the decal artwork and the instruction sheet artwork.  Six thumbnail size photographs of the aircraft are included on the back cover of the instruction booklet.  The instructions also give some good detail colours and weathering for some of the aircraft. 

The ten schemes provided are as follows:

1. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.52 IN601, INAS 300 “The White Tigers” INS Vikrant, Indian Navy 1982.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a large white leaping Tiger painted on it.

2. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.52 IN608, “Cougar” INAS 551B “Braves” Sea Harrier Operational Flying Training Unit, Indian Navy 2005.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has the word “Cougar” painted in white on it.

3. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.52 IN618, 300SQN” INAS 551B “Braves” INS Vikrant, Indian Navy 1994.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and BS381C:637 Medium Sea Grey undersides.  The fin has the squadron emblem painted in white on it and a large white leaping Tiger painted on the nose.

4. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.52 IN618, 300SQN” INAS 551B “Braves” INS Vikrant, Indian Navy 1994.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has the squadron emblem painted in white on it and a large white leaping Tiger painted on the nose.

5. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ451/100, No.700A Flight Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton 1979.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a large red A with a gull flying through it.

6. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ454/250, No.800 NAS, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton 1980.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a large red chevron with crossed swords and Neptune’s trident.

7. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ493/001, No.801 NAS, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton 1980 Flown by LTCMDR Nigel “Sharkey” Ward.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a large white Circle with a winged Neptune’s trident painted in blue.

8. BAE Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ453/105, No.899 NAS, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton 1981.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a large white winged fisted painted on it.

9. BAE Sea Harrier T.60 IN651, INAS 552 Sea Harrier Operational Flying Training Unit, Indian Navy 2005.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:640 Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a large white leaping Tiger painted on it.

10. BAE Sea Harrier T.4(1) IN656, INAS 552 Sea Harrier Operational Flying Training Unit, Indian Navy 2005.  This aircraft is finished in BS381C:638 Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Gloss White undersides.  The fin has a white squadron emblem painted on it

Highly Recommended

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the review sample

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2007 by Mick Evans
Page Created 22 June, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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