Bowcat's Airfix Harrier GR9 - Part Deux

[Mr Bowcat]

Hi guys,

Still waiting for the kit to arrive, but yesterday I got the resin parts. I've only ever used resin bang seats before, so doing the whole office is a new challenge.

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[peterairfix]

Another one to look forward to.

[Jim R]

Hi Bob
Look forward to this and the comparison when complete. The resin stuff looks nice - sharp detail.
Jim

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers guys.

Jim, I thought I'd try resin as I didn't fancy PE in 1/72. I struggle enough in 1/48.

[Fernando N]

Very nice looking parts Bob, hope you get your Harrier soon.:thumb2:

[Mr Bowcat]

Unfortunately there's going to be a delay with this build due to being mucked around on the kit.

I'd originally ordered it from ABC Models in Northwich as John @ SMS was out of stock. All seemed OK when I purchased though their website, but after a week I'd heard nothing (not even a confirmation email) so sent them an email asking what was going on. A couple of days later I'd had no response so emailed them again. Still no response so I decided to give them a call. I tried several times throughout the day, but the phone just rang with no answer. After a few days of this I google street viewed them and found the business next door (a tattooist). I rang them and asked if the model shop had gone out of business, but they said no, it was still open.

Tried calling (the model shop) again the next day and finally someone answered. Apparently they had been getting some spam calls, so had unplugged the phone! I told the (very rude guy) that I was waiting for a kit from them, he said he would look into it and get back to me. The following day I got a very terse email to say the website was 2 years out of date, they didn't have the kit and I would have to claim the money back from PayPal! What a bloody shambles.

I have now had to order the kit from a place in the Czech republic, so hopefully lighting won't strike twice and I should have it in a week or so.

[scottie3158]

Bob,
Sorry to hear about the woes you have been having getting this kit. It amazes me that businesses that rely on public good will to survive have such poor ethics.

[Guest]

Wow, I must remember never to use that company! Terrible customer service.

Hope you have more luck with your new order.

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers guys.

I've left them a crappy review on Google which has proven cathartic.

[Mr Bowcat]

Hi guys,

The replacement kit eventually arrived at the back end of last week. It took 3 days to get from the Czech Republic to the UK, then sat in a Royal Fail/Parcel Farce depot for over a week.

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I cracked on with it this weekend. First job was to hack up the front end to make way for the resin pit.

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This was a massive pain to fit, I had to sand out a lot of the plastic inside so it went together but eventually made it work.

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And I also got the main gear bay/air brake inner and jet intake/housing together,fitted in the fuselage halves,and wings & LERX installed.

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Just waiting for some Mr Surfacer 500 to dry and that should be all the seams done, got a little bit of re-scribing to do on the underside.

[Guest]

Great start and lots of detail in the resin parts. I can see why people upgrade despite the extra work.

[peterairfix]

Oohh I do like that

[Jim R]

Hi Bob
Glad you have the kit but what terrible service. Right to leave a review. The details of the resin stuff is very nice. There is often work to do to get the aftermarket stuff to fit the kit.
Jim

[Mr Bowcat]

Cheers guys.

[colin m]

1:72 resin, brave man. All looking good though.