Kinetic 1/48 Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA.2 Kit
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During the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas conflict, the HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes were dispatched to the South Atlantic along with all available surface combatants and support vessels. The FRS.1 provided air defense support to the fleet and to the troops ashore and did a credible job against the Argentine Air Force and Naval air forces operating from their home bases on the mainland. With the help of the last-minute upgrade to employ the all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder, the Harrier FRS.1 was able to achieve 21 kills without any air-to-air losses.
In 1984, development started on an upgrade to the Sea Harrier based upon the combat experience gained in the South Atlantic. The improved Harrier would receive the advanced Blue Vixen radar, AIM-120 AMRAAM capability, greater range, and an updated cockpit. The resulting aircraft was designated as FA.2, and 34 FRS.1 airframes were converted along with 18 brand new airframes. It wasn't long before the first FA.2s saw action, as these were assigned to support the UN forces in Bosnia in 1994. Kinetic has engineered their first installment in the Harrier family, the SHAR - Sea Harrier FA.2.
KIT FEATURES:
- Detailed cockpit
- Choice of an early instrument panel or upgraded 'glass' panel
- Positionable canopy
- Engine intake with choice of open or closed blow-in doors
- Exhaust nozzles are interconnected and all pivot together
- Upper wing surface is one-piece with molded-in anhedral angle
- Positionable landing gear
- Positionable flaps
- Positionable flaperons
- Positionable rudder
- Positionable stabilators
- Positionable ventral speed brake
- Landing gear hubs are molded separately from tires for ease of painting
- Optional air refueling probe
- 4 x AIM-9L Sidewinder
- 2 x AIM-120 AMRAAM
- 2 x Sea Eagle missiles
- 2 x 100-gallon external fuel tanks
- 2 x 190-gallon external fuel tanks
This release has 28 marking options:
- FA.2, ZD613, 800 Sqn, Royal Navy, 2004, 'Satan 1' decommissioning scheme
- FA.2, ZH809, 809 San, Royal Navy, 2004, 25th Harrier Anniversary scheme
The decal sheet provides the letters and numbers to replicate 26 aircraft including:
- 5 x 800 Sqn, Yeovilton, disbandment, 2004
- 6 x 801 Sqn, last HMS Illustrious Detachment, 2005
- 6 x 801 Sqn, Yeovilton, disbandment, Mar 2006
- 9 x 899 Sqn, Yeovilton, Oct 2004, and at decommissioning Mar 2005
