Eduard 1/72 Harrier GR.1 Photo Etch
By Jacob Russell
This photo etched set (item number 73496) is for Airfix's new Harrier GR.1 kit. It consists of 121 pieces. 40 of these are on a self-adhesive fret and approximately half of those are prepainted. The balance come on a regular brass fret, plus you also get 4 gun sight lenses on a clear acetate sheet.
This is a very comprehensive set. Among the enhancements are a new instrument panel, rudder pedals, throttle quadrant, canopy mirror and explosive charge, windshield wiper, ejection seat harness, and a brake line for the front wheel. You also get improved chaff dispensers, inner wheel wheel and landing gear door detail, pitot tubes and aerials, and a boarding ladder.
I like this set. I especially like the boarding ladder. I think that the pitot tubes and brake line are too flat and I won't use them on my kit, but the rest of the set is great. I will use Future or another clear gloss to attach the canopy explosive charge to inside canopy.
Airfix has introduced a new line of Harrier kits and they are quite good. They lack the finesse of the old Esci or current Hasegawa kits, but are significantly cheaper and easier to find locally than the latter. I recommend this set and I would like to thank Eduard for providing the review sample.