Mistercraft's comedy Harriers

Weaver · July 06, 2025, 04:13:51 PM

I feel like this should have been in the "humour" thread, but:

Exhibit A:

Here is the box for Mistercraft's "Sea Harrier FRS.1 50 Years 800 NAS":

Here are the paint/decal instructions:

Aaaaand, here are the sprues...

Can anyone see the problem here, class?

Exhibit B:

Here is the box for Mistercraft's "Harrier GR.7 Operation Herric":

Here are the paint/decal instructions:

Aaaaand here are the sprues

:

Please compare and contrast to the "Sea Harrier" sprues...

Also, here's a page from the instructions:

Note the four SPARROWS and Aden GUNPODS. On what's supposed to be an RAF GR.7...

zenrat · July 07, 2025, 05:16:50 AM

Whif in a box.

Dizzyfugu · July 07, 2025, 05:18:38 AM

At least you get a set of spare wings!

PR19_Kit · July 07, 2025, 06:14:28 AM

How much are they and what are the decals like? They may be worth it just for them if the price is right?

Plus, as Thomas says, spare wings as WELL! What's not to like?

Gondor · July 07, 2025, 06:47:19 AM

I wonder if their GR.7 is close to one of the BIG wing harrier proposals?

Weaver · July 07, 2025, 09:42:22 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 07, 2025, 06:14:28 AMHow much are they and what are the decals like? They may be worth it just for them if the price is right?

Plus, as Thomas says, spare wings as WELL! What's not to like?

They're £11 each at Hobbycraft. Here are the decal sheets. I've no idea how well, or otherwise, they go on:

Weaver · July 07, 2025, 09:58:05 AM

Here's a video of a guy who actually tried building the Sea Harrier. He says that the vast majority of the decals simply didn't work:

PR19_Kit · July 07, 2025, 09:59:46 AM

I just dropped into my 'local' Hobbycraft (120 miles from my home....) but not a sign of a Mistercraft anything.

I did get something though, see the Stash 2025 thread.

PR19_Kit · July 07, 2025, 10:00:42 AM

Quote from: Weaver on July 07, 2025, 09:58:05 AMHere's a video of a guy who actually tried building the Sea Harrier. He says that the vast majority of the decals simply didn't work:

That one looks more like a P.1127 than a Harrier! $:-\$

Weaver · July 07, 2025, 10:10:39 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 07, 2025, 09:59:46 AMI just dropped into my 'local' Hobbycraft (120 miles from my home....) but not a sign of a Mistercraft anything.

I did get something though, see the Stash 2025 thread.

If you ever want something from there, but you're not in a hurry and we're going to see each other at a show, PLEASE give me a shout. I have one three miles from home and I'm in their club so a) I get money off vouchers that I often can't spend 'cods there's nothing I want, and b) I get more vouchers the more I spend, so buying stuff on your behalf actually helps me.

The Rat · July 07, 2025, 11:06:14 AM

As zenrat said, whif in a box. And that puts it into a class of models that are acceptable, if you can come up with a backstory to explain all the discrepancies from real life. If the kit is an easy build, and if my knowledge of all the possible variants were anything more than P1127/Harrier/SHAR, I would probably buy one. Alternatively, if the price is okay. buy it for a youngster who is just starting out, and doesn't care about accuracy. I doubt that any of us did when we were 10 or 11, we just had something to make and play with.

Spey_Phantom · July 07, 2025, 11:56:36 AM

the only thing those Mistercraft kits are good for are the decals and kitbashing.
most of them are old (ancient) FROG, KP,...kits from the soviet era.

Weaver · July 07, 2025, 01:06:58 PM

Quote from: The Rat on July 07, 2025, 11:06:14 AMAs zenrat said, whif in a box. And that puts it into a class of models that are acceptable, if you can come up with a backstory to explain all the discrepancies from real life. If the kit is an easy build, and if my knowledge of all the possible variants were anything more than P1127/Harrier/SHAR, I would probably buy one. Alternatively, if the price is okay. buy it for a youngster who is just starting out, and doesn't care about accuracy. I doubt that any of us did when we were 10 or 11, we just had something to make and play with.

Watch the video - it's an awful build and will scar a youngster for life.

Weaver · July 07, 2025, 01:17:30 PM

Quote from: Spey_Phantom on July 07, 2025, 11:56:36 AMthe only thing those Mistercraft kits are good for are the decals and kitbashing.
most of them are old (ancient) FROG, KP,...kits from the soviet era.

According to the guy in the video, even the decals aren't good. The one in the UH-1N Twin-Huey I just bought has markings for FOUR schemes on a decal sheet just 3" x 2".

Some of them can't be more than 1mm apart.

The molds are from all over the place. I don't know who did the Twin-Huey but it's light-years ahead of these Harriers. They also have the old Merit/Smer 1/24th Alfa-Romeo Alfetta racing car.

According to Scalemates, the Harriers come from Aeroplast.

The Rat · July 07, 2025, 02:10:54 PM

Quote from: Weaver on July 07, 2025, 01:06:58 PM
Quote from: The Rat on July 07, 2025, 11:06:14 AMAs zenrat said, whif in a box. And that puts it into a class of models that are acceptable, if you can come up with a backstory to explain all the discrepancies from real life. If the kit is an easy build, and if my knowledge of all the possible variants were anything more than P1127/Harrier/SHAR, I would probably buy one. Alternatively, if the price is okay. buy it for a youngster who is just starting out, and doesn't care about accuracy. I doubt that any of us did when we were 10 or 11, we just had something to make and play with.

Watch the video - it's an awful build and will scar a youngster for life.

Saw it back when Gary first posted it, in fact I linked to it somewhere on this forum with a warning about its (in)accuracy. Don't recall it being unbuildable, just a terrible representation.