SPA Modeler

I nipped into my local model shop today for some odourless thinners and they had this sitting on the shelf for £13-00. That's a couple of cups of coffee, and after the conversation I had with Carlos a while back about having never finished a Harrier kit I picked it up.



I have to say I've always been curious about this kit - I know about the universal scorn this kit receives, but is it really that bad? I mean, it certainly looks like a SHAR.



I'm kind of curious to find out just how bad it is, or isn't. Shape wise it looks okay, although I do think the intakes and nose section maybe a bit thin, but I think they'll look okay once painted.



To be honest, the main two issues I see with this kit are the Aux Doors - the bane of any Harrier kit - they're all moulded closed which is just wrong for a Harrier parked on the ground, and the ADEN gun pods - they're truly awful - both however, should be fixable. I might not start this yet, as I've ordered an old Eduard PE set for it (unpainted no less) and some replacement intakes - they're for the Kinetic kit so might not fit. If that's the case then it's down to some good old scratch-building.

To be honest it does bother me that there is no decent kit of a Sea Harrier - for such an important aircraft you would think it would have warranted it.

Cheers All.

And remember - 'La Muerta Negra is a coming'...

You’re a brave man Stuart. You’ve barely scratched the surface of faults with this kit…

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Fri May 08, 2026 7:33 pm You’re a brave man Stuart. You’ve barely scratched the surface of faults with this kit…

Oh it's got loads of faults I agree, I have a lot of references on early Harriers and I can see several detail things wrong with it, but overall it does look like a SHAR. Hell it may well end up in the bin, but it'll be interesting seeing what can be done with it.

I do think it's sad there's not a modern decent kit of the aircraft, even the Kinetic one has it's problems from what I've read.

yes, it might have its errors but if it looks like a Sea Harrier in the end on a small base I would not bother at all - but this is then just me. But for the bin? No

Agreed Martin. I think if I can do something with the cockpit, sort out the intakes and gun pods, drill out the various ducts etc. then I'd be happy - anything else should be lost in the Grey over White scheme.

For a £13 kit - you might as well give it a go.

Looking forward to your build. I picked up this kit a couple years ago and have only heard bad things about it. I want to do it as a Falklands bird. Following along Stuart!

keavdog wrote: ↑Sat May 09, 2026 8:40 am Looking forward to your build. I picked up this kit a couple years ago and have only heard bad things about it. I want to do it as a Falklands bird. Following along Stuart!

Same, I've not heard a good word said about it, but for such a small outlay I might was well do something with it. A Falklands aircraft would be a good choice - I do like that scheme, although I'm going to go with the pre-war war colourful markings.

Gary Brantley wrote: ↑Sat May 09, 2026 9:10 am How bad can it be? You've got this, Stuart!

Thanks Gary - I know I've built worse kits that this.

speedgraflex wrote: ↑Sat May 09, 2026 9:09 pm Being really ignorant of this aircraft type I side with Martin and Gary on just building the kit. I think your impetus is the subject itself here. I love building the TOS Enterprise and it’s always a joy any way I build it (box stock or modified). I think this will be a great project!

Oh I will Bruce, I'm just going to finish the Ferret I'm working on and I'm waiting for my PE bits to turn up, then I'll crack on with it alongside the P-38. These old kits deserve a bit of love too.

Couldn’t agree more regarding old kit needing a little love. That’s why I’ve been collecting vintage car kits. One particular kit is the ‘57 Chevy pink lowrider kit. You remember the type… opening doors, hood and trunk. Built that as a kid. Doors were a challenge since I couldn’t get them to sit right.

Even flip nosed kits can be a bit of work to get it to work right. I’m hoping to see what Joe does with the Spirit of ‘57 kit.