discussion Airfix 1/72 Sea Harrier FA2

[gweller]

So here is my completed Airfix 1/72 FA2 Sea Harrier.

As usual with my builds it is hand painted with AK and Vallejo acrylics, with weathering done using Flory Models weathering wash.
The kit itself was somewhat of a mixed bag. There were a large number of sink marks on the fuselage and wings, ejection pin marks in awkward places and one of the fan blades was partly broken. I replaced the exhaust nozzles with resin versions as in the kit these are split into two halves making cleaning the join up very difficult. I also replaced the outriggers as the kit versions are very basic.

For some reason Airfix decided not to model the two small (but prominent) air intakes just behind the cockpit, above the main intakes so I had to scratch build these. Additionally I fabricated a couple of small antennas that were also missing.

On the plus side the fit was quite good, and the decals were very nice with a full set of stencils.

Hope you enjoy the photos and any and all comments are welcome!
Gary

 

[Vaughan]

A fantastic build with some great detail and scratch building too.

 

[scottie3158]

Very nicely done, that's a cracking result.

 

[PaulTRose]

That came out very nice indeed

 

[gweller]

Thanks chaps!

 

[Steven000]

Lovely model and great photos too, well done, cheers

 

[papa 695]

Great work indeed

 

[gweller]

Thanks again guys! I do have a slight regret that I did not use a grey wash for the panel lines instead of the black. What do you reckon??

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Great result Gary.

 

[langy71]

Now that's a great result.

The overall colour looks spot on, If i could offer one suggestion, it would be to give the wheel centres a drop of a wash to help the details pop a bit, this will also help blend them into the overall build.

As for the question about the black panel wash, it's down to personal choice really, myself I would have gone with a greyer tone as I find black 'or darker tones' just a little too heavy in this scale, but thats my choice, primarily it's your model and the finish is down to how you want it to look, you built this for your enjoyment not how others think it should be so effectively there is no 'correct' way for it to look, different lighting will also give differing appearances of the finish.

Overall it's turned out really well considering the odd issues you've had with it,

So I'd take this as a win mate, now grab a brew, sit back, and enjoy a really well done build.

 

[gweller]

Now that's a great result.

The overall colour looks spot on, If i could offer one suggestion, it would be to give the wheel centres a drop of a wash to help the details pop a bit, this will also help blend them into the overall build.

As for the question about the black panel wash, it's down to personal choice really, myself I would have gone with a greyer tone as I find black 'or darker tones' just a little too heavy in this scale, but thats my choice, primarily it's your model and the finish is down to how you want it to look, you built this for your enjoyment not how others think it should be so effectively there is no 'correct' way for it to look, different lighting will also give differing appearances of the finish.

Overall it's turned out really well considering the odd issues you've had with it,

So I'd take this as a win mate, now grab a brew, sit back, and enjoy a really well done build.

Thanks for the kind remarks and tip over the wheels! As for the panel wash.... ironically enough I started off with a grey tone, but found it too close to the overall colour, so ended up adding some black to the mix, but perhaps a bit too much..... . Anyway a lesson for the next model perhaps!

 

[Jim R]

That is a result to be proud of. Excellent work.

 

[gweller]

That is a result to be proud of. Excellent work.

Thanks Jim! You guys are making me blush with all the kind comments!

 

[colin m]

I do like a Harrier, and this is a very nice example, well done. On the subject of panel lines, you could try over spraying them until they start to fade. I've had to do this in the past.

 

[gweller]

Thought I would share this AI generated image of the same model, just for your entertainment!

 

[Steven000]

Did the AI make a picture of a similar scalemodel, or is it a picture of your model with an AI backdrop?
I have only used the free 'chatgpt' which doesn't create images, but from what I've seen it does a far better job than most people can do with photoshop etc, cheers

 

[gweller]

Did the AI make a picture of a similar scalemodel, or is it a picture of your model with an AI backdrop?
I have only used the free 'chatgpt' which doesn't create images, but from what I've seen it does a far better job than most people can do with photoshop etc, cheers

I used the "nano Banana" feature in Google Gemini. I first uploaded a photo of my model (the one I posted at the beginning of this thread with it parked outside a printed hanger), then told Gemini to merge this photo with a background of a modern military airfield and to make an ultra HD image. And Bob's your Uncle! After a minute or so it came up with this image.

 

[Airborne01]

Wow mate, so cleverly done and a deservedly excellent result!
Steve

 

[Geoffers]

Cracking model Gary, very nice

My mind is also now well and truly seeing the result of your AI generated photo, amazing

Geoff.

 

[scottie3158]

Looks great how does the AI work?