I just started this kit and realized that the instructions do not offer the most optimal way to install the engine’s fan face and shroud behind the cockpit. Kinetic’s shroud is beautifully molded as a single piece but they would have you cut it in two, join each side to the separate fuselage halves along with half portions of the nose gear well. The instructions also don’t mention the fan face. The part is there on Sprue C. Don’t forget to install this or you’ll have a pretty empty looking Harrier. I found it easiest to install the cockpit and main (rear) landing gear first to the right fuselage half. I didn’t bother with the mechanism that theoretically allows you to position all four exhaust nozzles at once. I’m installing the nozzles in fixed positions near the end of the build. Once the cockpit was in, I glued the fuselage halves together only at the nose. I then assembled both parts of the nose gear bay into one unit. At this point I trimmed the cockpit support off of the top of the fwd. part of the nose gear bay. You really don’t need it anyways. I slid the entire gear bay unit into place from the open top of the fuselage, making sure that it aligned on both sides of the fuselage at the intake area. I then popped the intake shroud in behind it and glue it secure. Finally , I glued the pre-repainted fan face into place and joined the rest of the fuselage halves together. This really is a nice kit and everything fits like a glove! I hope this helps make your construction a bit easier. See the attached photos...
10 attached images. Click to enlarge.
