Cheers guys.
Back story is that Spain wanted to update its Matador fleet. So the public were sold the story that they were to be rebuilt as Sea Harriers as a "cheaper" alternative to buying new builds all as part of a NATO upgrade package. In fact the reverse turned out to be the case so New builds were provided with the original airframes traded in, Hence why the SHARS had the Matador identities as part of the scam. Most of the Matadors were updated to GR-3 standard and sold on to an undisclosed export customer.
The SeaHarriers served Spain well, often being seen sharing deck space with their British and Dutch sisters. And were later sold on to Thailand along with their new light carrier as new AV-8B's came on stream. The fact they were New built airframes rather than conversions only came to light when the British national archives published the documents after declassification under the 30 year rule. Much to the annoyance of the Spanish MOD.
I've built way to many of the Esci/Italeri 1st gen Harriers. I can build em almost blindfolded.
I have got at least three or four more Harrier / SeaHarrier ideas in the planning stages. One is linked to the Spanish SHAR, the others aren't
India does figure in my plans, but the GR-1 Idea wasn't it. But it may now be hijacked, tweaked and added to the list
