Kinetic 1/48 Harrier GR.3 by Mick Evans

Kinetic's 1/48 scale
Harrier GR.3

by Mick Evans

Harrier GR.3

Description

This is one of five different Kinetic Harrier kits that I have built recently. Having been fascinated with the Harrier since it first flew, I was eager to build these kits recently. I worked for BAE Systems Australia for 20 years and I had the opportunity to speak to a lot of engineers who worked on the Harrier over the years of its production cycle.

I had read many reviews and opinions of the Kinetic Harriers, and these were not very flattering of the kits, so I was in some way dreading the challenge. Most of the criticism was of the intake and wing fit. I set out to build the Mk1, GR3, T4, Sea Harrier FRS Mk1 and M2 all at once. Maybe it’s because I have built so many awful kits such as FM, Mach2 and various vacuum-formed kits but honestly, I was left wondering what all the fuss was about with the Kinetic Harriers.

All my Kinetic Harrier kits fitted perfectly. Some of the joins required a smear of filler but no major sanding or rework. I was very careful to trial fit every part after reading the poor reviews and comments on all the kits.

Thumbnail panels:

In the end all the kits look amazing, and in particular the GR3 in these pictures. The GR3 is my favourite with the thimble nose containing the laser range finder. The scheme and decals are straight out of the box. The cockpit has Quinta panel decals and MD cord for the canopy and a Quickboost resin ejection seat.

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