The paint scheme is Light-Gull Grey under surfaces, Dark-Gull Grey upper, with the radome and leading edges of the pylons painted in a Medium Blue-Grey. I really like this scheme; it has a bit more blue hue that the US Marine Corps Harriers. Despite all of the different facets of the Harrier painting went quite easily with little touch-up. I tried a new technique (for me) to weather and accent the panel lines. I used a water-based Gunship Grey wash with a little bit of dish-soap to keep the paint from adhering where I didn't want it. After painting the lines, I let the wash dry, then used a Q-tip to wipe off the excess while leaving the wash in the lines. I used a black wash to highlight more prominent lines such as the landing-gear doors, intake vents, and flying surfaces. I am extremely pleased with the effect and will probably stick with this process for the majority of my models.
This subject carries the markings of the "Wolves" of the Italian Navy. I chose number 04 because I like the false canopy marking under the forward fuselage. I originally was not going to pose the model with missiles, but an AMRAAM-burdened Harrier is an unusual sight so I went with it. Plus, the representation of the missiles were very good. I also chose to put a pilot in the cockpit which I think turned out very nice. The pilot helmet was included, but not the torso so I used a torso from my Hasegawa RF-4B. After a little bit of trimming the pilot figure fit quite well. I wanted to pose the canopy in the open position, however it would not fit between the two large scoops just behind the canopy. So I closed it up and the aircraft is depicted the a take-off-ready configuration.
