Model Alliance

1/72 BAe Harrier GR-7 decal sheet

Product # MA-72102

Product Article by Steve Bamford on July 16 2003

 

(also available in 1/48)

Without a doubt.....the Harrier is one of the most unique operational jets of all time.  It has been used by the British for quite some time and during that time...there has been a variety of improvements and upgrades to the original design.  This new decal sheet from Model Alliance focuses on the BAe Harrier GR-7 and gives you the option to build 13 different BAe Harrier GR-7's.  The paint schemes are quite varied from low-viz grey to green to white (light grey to be exact).  The folks at Model Alliance have gone the extra mile and mostly looked for GR-7 decal options with paint schemes that have a good splash of colour.  As you can see by the decal sheets to the right......there are plenty of interesting markings.  The sheet includes planes from 1992 - 2002 from RAF Cottesmore, RAF Wittering, Boscombe Down, RAFG Laarbruch and even two planes as they served out of Incernik, Turkey.  The decals themselves are beautiful quality and very clearly printed on the 1/72 sample I have before me (scan at right does not show the the sharpness of these decals).  Colours look solid and will cover very well, but the decal also don't appear overly thick.  There are enough stencils provided for 2 complete aircraft......with more stencils and national markings, you could make more of the 13 different planes featured on this decal sheet.  Clear film is minimal and tapers down nicely to the edge of the decal.

The first Harrier GR-7 is ZG512 '83' of No. 4 Squadron at Cattesmore in 1999.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include red/black patch with yellow lightning bolt at top of tail and some similar type markings on the side of the engines.
The second Harrier GR-7 is ZD434 '46' of No. 20R Squadron at Wittering in 1999.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include colour at top of tail as well as a black bird of prey on a white disc on the side of the engines.  This plane also carries the 'ghost' Squadron cat emblem of 223 OCU on the fin. 
The third Harrier GR-7 is ZD375 '23' of No. 20R Squadron at Wittering in 2001.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  The full colour fin markings (including a black bird of prey) show this aircraft as prepared for the 2001 Air Show season. 
The fourth Harrier GR-7 is ZD411 'U' of Strike/Attack Operational Evaluation Unit at Boscombe in 1999.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include a winged sword on dark blue area on the fin.
The fifth Harrier GR-7 is ZD470 '83' of No. 4 Squadron at Cattesmore in 2002.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include red/black tail with yellow lightning bolt running down centre of tail and some similar type markings on the side of the engines.  This is how this aircraft appeared for the 2002 Air Show season.
The sixth Harrier GR-7 is ZD322 '03' of No. 3 Squadron at Cattesmore in 2002.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include yellow/green tail with with squadrons 90th Anniversary artwork on the tail and some similar type markings on the side of the engines.  This is how this aircraft appeared to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of No. 3 Squadron.
The seventh Harrier GR-7 is ZG531 of No. 4 Squadron at RAFG Laarbruch in 1993.  The paint scheme is NATO IRR Dark Green and Lichen Green.  Markings include red/black tail with yellow lightning bolt running down centre of tail and some similar type markings on the side of the engines.   This is how this aircraft appeared for the 1993 display season.
The eight Harrier GR-7 is ZD432 'N' of No. 20(R) Squadron at Wittering in 1992.  The paint scheme is NATO IRR Dark Green and Lichen Green.  Markings include colour at top of tail as well as a black bird of prey on a white disc on the side of the engines.  
The ninth Harrier GR-7 is ZG501 AWC Boscombe Down in 1994.  The paint scheme is NATO IRR Dark Green and Lichen Green.  Markings include red letters 'AWC' on a  white disc on dark blue area on the fin.  Corresponding artwork below canopy on side of fuselage.
The tenth Harrier GR-7 is ZD408 WK No. 4 Squadron, Incernik, Turkey during "Operation Warden" in 1995.   The paint scheme is ARTF Light Grey.  Markings include a big sharks mouth and eyes below the chin of the nose.  
The eleventh Harrier GR-7 is ZD467 'WA' of No. 4   Squadron at Incernik, Turkey in 1995.  The paint scheme was originally ARTF Light Grey but was repainted Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey but roundels remained the low viz type.  
The twelfth Harrier GR-7 is ZD321 '02' of No. 1(F) Squadron at Cattesmore in 1999.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include red/white patch at top of tail and some similar type markings on the side of the engines.
The thirteenth Harrier GR-7 is ZG503 '74' of No. 3 (AC) Squadron at Cattesmore in 1999.  The paint scheme is Dark Camouflage Grey and Dark Sea Grey.  Markings include green/yellow patch at top of tail and some similar type markings on the side of the engines.

The markings are varied and interesting.  The instruction sheets include helpful text describing how to paint the cockpit.  The instructions also tell exactly where to place all stencils and decals.  Two of the tails require painting with special colours, but these colours are not mentioned on the instruction sheets.  But there are corresponding decals containing these colours for the artwork on the side of the engine......so matching your paint for the tail to these engine cowl decals should quickly solve this problem.  

It is always a welcome treat to see Harrier decals, so I am quite pleased to see these decals being released.  I recommend these decals to anyone considering build a RAF Harrier GR-7.  Special thanks to Model Alliance for sending me this review sample.

You can purchase these decals direct from Model Alliance.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images

 

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford