Pavla have four new releases aimed at the very well received and recently released Airfix 1/72 Harrier GR. 9. One set is a detailed cockpit including the MB Mk.12 seat, the seat is available separately. Also released is a set for the flaps and ailerons and finally a set for the rear fairing and the Zeus ECM pods.

1/72 Harrier GR 9 Cockpit
Contents are placed in a clear plastic vac formed blister. Contents includes:
-Full cockpit tub.
-MB Mk.12 Seat
-Instrument panel.
-Rudder pedals.
-Control stick.
-2 x small sheets of instructions.

Cockpit tub: is one piece and is superbly detailed. The instruments, switches and the detail on the rear bulkhead are exquisitely done. The engine throttle lever is cast onto the port side console. Some surgery to the Airfix kit is necessary in that the instrument hood needs removing, something most modelers will be capable of doing. The cockpit tub is cast onto a block that needs removing.
MB Mk.12 Seat: Is beautifully made and cast. Seat straps and harnesses are cast onto the seat. The only gripe is that the seat activation cord above the pilots head had broken of the seat. Easily replaced by some stretched sprue or wire. Incidentally this seat can be used with the Harrier GR. 5, 7 as well as the 9.
Instrument panel The low relief detail including screens and buttons is very well done. The panel is cast along with the instrument hood, the hood includes the frame for the HUD. Unfortunately the HUD frame on my sample was broken but safely contained in the blister packaging. You will need to scratch build the HUD screen from clear plastic. The clear blister packaging would be ideal for this.
Rudder pedals & Control Stick: they might be tiny, but the detail is very good, including cut outs in the rudder pedals and switches on the control stick.
Instruction Sheets the black line drawings and written instructions are very clear as is the paint guidance. The area of the kits cockpit that needs removing to fit the cockpit is clearly marked.
Ref no: C 72105.
Price: £7.99

1/72 MB Mk.12 Seat: is available separately. See above.
Ref no: S 72071
Price: £2.29

1/72Harrier GR. 9 Flaps and Ailerons: These are direct replacement for the kit parts. The trialling edges are lovely and thin. Just be careful when removing the ailerons from the casting block, that you identify which are the resin flow channels from the actuating arms. The panel lines are recessed and finely done.
Ref no: U 72-131
Price: £3.20

1/72 Rear Fairing and the Zeus ECM System: The rear fairing has the reaction control nozzles cast into it. This part of the Airfix kit is separate so there is no need for surgery. The Zeus ECM pods fit under the nose of the Harrier again this is a direct replacement for the kit part.
Ref no: U 72-132
Price: £2.30

Conclusion

A small amount of work is necessary to fit the cockpit set, but the quality of the casting is better than the Airfix parts. Some careful painting and highlighting will really bring out the wonderful detail. The MB seat is superb. The trailing edges of the movable wing surfaces are much sharper than the kit parts. The resin rear fairing has a slightly better cross section and detail to the kit parts, and the Zeus ECM pods are better shaped.