1/48 scale Aircraft Series No.15 plastic model kit of the British Royal Navy
Hawker Sea Harrier.
The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval VTOL/STOVL jet fighter,
reconnaissance and attack aircraft, a development of the Hawker Siddeley
Harrier. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea
Harrier FRS1 and became informally known as the “Shar”. Unusual in an era in
which most naval and land-based air superiority fighters were large and
supersonic, the principal role of the subsonic Sea Harrier was air defence from
Royal Navy aircraft carriers.
- Appx. 80 parts in light grey and clear with delicate raised
panel lines.
- Complete Pegasus 11 engine with removable engine access panel, detailed
intakes, and swivelling engine nozzles.
- Ordnance options include: bombs and Sidewinder missiles.
- 4 swivelling engine nozzles for thrust vectoring, Ferranti Blue Fox radar,
raised cockpit compared to RAF Harriers.
This plastic kitset requires assembly, paints and glue to
complete.
Wingspan: 6–1/4" (16cm)
Fuselage Length: 12" (30.2cm)
Tamiya Product Number: 61026
Scale: 1:48
Suggested Paint Colors (not included):
X-1 – Black
X-10 – Gun Metal
X-11 – Chrome Silver
X-2 – White
X-23 – Clear Blue
X-3 – Royal Blue
X-4 – Blue
X-7 – Red
X-8 – Lemon Yellow
XF-1 – Flat Black
XF-23 – Light Blue
XF-24 – Dark Grey
XF-56 – Metallic Grey
XF-57 – Buff
XF-61 – Dark Green
XF-66 – Light Grey
The Hawker Siddeley Harrier astounded the world with its unique ability
to take-off and land vertically utilizing vectored thrust from its powerful
8000kg thrust engine. First tested in concept in 1960, the aircraft went through
many periods of testing and modification prior to acceptance by the Royal Air
Force and other nations in 1974. The production Harriers utilized either a
Pegasus 6 or 11 engine of 8000 or 9750kg thrust and it was only natural that
the Royal Navy should find application for this type of aircraft with their
fleet air arm. Various political and financial considerations delayed the order
for the “Navalized” Harrier until May 1975, when the Admiralty ordered an
initial 24 aircraft plus one T.Mk.4's in 1980.
The FRS.1 is easily distinguished from its land based counterparts by a
modified nose section incorporating a raised pilots seat and Ferranti Blue Fox
radar, plus principal armament of Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles and AIM-9L
Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Martel or Harpoon ASMs may be carried as
alternatives to Sea Eagle until the latter become operational. The first
FRS.1 to fly was actually the initial production Sea Harrier, on 20 August
1978, and the prototype model later in December 1978. The home of the Sea
Harriers was designated Yeovilton Navy Base, and they received the first
aircraft in June 1979, where intensive flight trials began with ‘100/VL’
squadron four days later.
This IFTU unit was designated 700A squadron in September 1979 and was
re-designated 899 Squadron in March 1980. Three “Through – Deck”
cruisers had been ordered for Sea Harrier operations: Invincible; Illustrious
and Ark Royal, the first of which was commissioned in July 1980. All three
vessels are to be fitted with a “Ski-jump” to assist take-off with full
load, and this installation was also added to the commando carrier HMS Hermes
when it was allotted a Sea Harrier squadron. A small export order for Sea
Harriers was placed by India in November 1979 for six FRS.51's and two
T.60 trainers.
The Sea Harrier, along with the GR3 Harriers from the RAF, were put to
actual combat tests during the recent Falkland Islands crisis. The British South
Atlantic force was built up with the addition of GR3 and FRS.1 Harriers
bringing the total jump jet strength to around 40 aircraft carriers Hermes and
Invincible. The Sea Harrier (FRS.1) has about 30% more re-action control for
easier landings, and better ‘over the nose’ visibility; however, the
GR3's from the RAF worked well in the overall operations during the conflict
and both aircraft distinguished themselves to the utmost. The Royal Navy
Harriers, during the conflict, were painted in the new “toned down” finish
of matte sea blue overall, while the RAF aircraft were in the extra dark sea
gray scheme. With a cruise speed of mach .9 and a top speed of 1.25, and
landing speed of 0, this is truly a versatile combat aircraft and one that will
be in weapons inventories for many years to come.