Harrier GR.3
Falklands 40th Anniversary Edition

Kinetic Gold, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Luke Pitt

I’ve always liked the lines of the Harrier, especially in its GR.3 incarnation with wrap around camouflage and two-colour roundels. It just smacked of the late 1970s - a time for me personally where I was a teenager.

The Cold War was still on everyone’s mind at the time.

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The Kinetic series of  Harriers are the best representations of the type available currently in 1:48 scale and a detailed review of the original GR.1/3 release by Brett Green may be found by following this link.

In this this edition, Kinetic has seen fit to include their Royal Navy Carrier Deck Tractor released some time ago under their Skunkmodels Workshop label.

The tractor was introduced early to mid-1960ss and manufactured by Vickers.

They were an  all-wheel drive and steer unit with a  fully automatic transmission. furthermore, it had the same engine as a London bus used at the time.

This kit represents a later model, which was lighter than the earlier models. The earlier models were heavier due to the aircraft that were towed around the flight deck of the Royal Navy carriers.

The early models towed Phantoms and Buccaneers, the later models towed the much lighter Harrier and rotary wing aircraft. Post Falklands, the tractors were painted green. 

The tractor is presented on one sprue and is a little basic with no tread pattern on the tyres and a thick steering wheel. That being said, it’s the only game in town and quite buildable with no apparent vices.

The tractor also comes complete with very comprehensive decal sheet.

A nice four-page colour fold out sheet is included in this edition, giving a brief history of the GR.3s use in the Falklands War and mentioning all 16 airframes being used.

Markings

Decals are designed by Crossdelta and printed by Cartograf. These are the same decal sheet and marking options as included in the original 2020 release.

Finishes are mostly the 1970s camouflage of Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green upper surfaces over Light Aircraft Grey, although three wraparound schemes are also included.

I like that alternative roundel decals are supplied for the open blow-in doors.

Colour callouts are offered for AMMO Mig, Vallejo and GSI Creos (I believe this is Gunze-Sangyo acrylic), Tamiya and Humbrol paints.

In summary, this is a lovely kit and this edition with the deck tractor only adds icing to the cake.

Thanks to Lucky Model for the sample

Review Text and Reference Images Copyright © 2023 by Luke Pitt
Model Images Copyright © 2023 by Brett Green
Page Created 3 January, 2023
Last updated 3 January, 2023

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