Tamiya 1/48 Hawker Sea Harrier FRS.1 #61026  [61026]

The FRS.1 is easily distinguished from its land based counterparts by a modified nose section incorporating an increasing pilots seat and Ferranti Blue Fox radar, plus principal armament of Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles and AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Martel or Harpoon ASMs could be carried as options to Sea Eagle before latter become operational. 1st FRS.1 to travel ended up being in fact the initial production water Harrier, on 20 August 1978, therefore the prototype model later in December 1978. The home associated with the Sea Harriers had been designated Yeovilton Navy Base, in addition they received 1st aircraft in June 1979, where intensive flight studies started with '100/VL' squadron four times later on.

This IFTU device was designated 700A squadron in September 1979 and had been re-designated 899 Squadron in March 1980. Three "Through - Deck" cruisers have been purchased for water Harrier operations: Invincible; Illustrious and Ark Royal, initial of which was commissioned in July 1980. All three vessels are to be fitted with a "Ski-jump" to help take-off with complete load, and this installation had been additionally added to the commando provider HMS Hermes when it was allotted a Sea Harrier squadron. A small export purchase for water Harriers was put by India in November 1979 for six FRS.51's and two T.60 trainers.

The ocean Harrier, along with all the GR3 Harriers through the RAF, had been placed to actual combat tests during the recent Falkland Isles crisis. The Uk Southern Atlantic force ended up being built up with the addition of GR3 and FRS.1 Harriers bringing the sum total jump jet energy to around 40 aircraft companies Hermes and Invincible. The Ocean Harrier (FRS.1) has about 30percent more re-action control for easier landings, and better 'over the nose' exposure; but the GR3's from RAF worked well within the overall operations throughout the conflict and both aircraft distinguished themselves toward utmost. The Royal Navy Harriers, through the conflict, had been painted into the brand new "toned down" finish of matte ocean blue general, while the RAF aircraft had been in the additional dark ocean gray scheme. With a cruise speed of mach .9 and a top rate of 1.25, and landing speed of 0, this is undoubtedly a versatile combat aircraft and one which is going to be in tools inventories for many years in the future.