AV-8B (pics)

Allan,

Hasegawa is coming out with their 1/48 AV-8B II+ (Radar Attack) soon. The box shows VMA-231 markings, but I believe Two Bobs Graphics has a VMA-542 decal sheet in 1/48 and 1/72. I'm hoping they start doing 1/48 decals for West Coast Harriers.

Carl

Carl,
Thank you. And great to hear youve worked around them jump jets. I fell in love with this scheme when I went on a guided tour aboard the Tarawa several years back. Im certainly getting a radar Harrier. Thanks!

Allen,

Nice looking Harrier. I was stationed in MCAS Yuma (1999-2002) and VMA-214 was one of the squadrons I supported. VMA-542 does have AV-8B Radar Attack Harriers in their squadron, in fact ALL USMC Tactical squadrons have a Night/Radar Attack Mix. Pappy Boyington would be proud.

Semper Fi!

Carl

John & J-Hulk,
Thank you for the kind words. Am happy you liked it.

Butz,
Thanks, my friend! The interior detail is not that sparse. Not accurate, but it has some detail. I figured, Ive come all this way so why not correct some detail while Im at it. I rescribed the panel lines. The Italeri kit has raised lines which arent very good to look at. And engineering isnt its good points, either. For some reason, the wing outrigger struts wont touch the ground. I had to redo them to make them rest as they should.

If I had known the new Hasegawa kit was available, I probably woudnt have done this rebuild.

Great looking Harrier, Allan!

Hey allan,
Sweeet build my friend. Is the Italeri kit a good build over all?? I take it that the interior lacks in detail? Did the a/c have engraved lines or did you rescribe them yourself.
Overall that is one mean lookin jump jet Even though I mostly build 48th, this kit turned out great for being 72d.
Flaps up, Mike

Allan great looking Harrier. I've been looking at my Hasegawa Sea Harrier recently. After seeing yours mine might make its way out of the box soon JOHN

Dj, Demono, gjeratic, sled & Captain Caveman,
Thanks! Your kind comments inspire me to do better.

Ridleusmc,
I am in fact planning to build another one. Id like to see what that new Hasegawa AV-8 (with new nose has to offer). I hope VMA-542 has the radar nose model in their inventory. Thanks!

Berny,
I used, from darkest to lightest: FS36118, FS36320, and FS36375. Gunze lacquer paints were applied on this one (H305, H307 and H308). Btw, the markings are actually Superscale, not Aeromaster (serves me right for losing the packet).

Woody,
Thank you very much. Ive read that thread too. Cant say I blame 'em. I have a lot of gripes about Italeri myself, but cant keep from buying. It must be the box. LOL. This kit isnt perfect either. As molded it represents a development Harrier. You have to modify it to bring it to production standards.

That turned out beautifully Allen! And you say it was a complete rebuild to boot![:0] Very impressive work. I was reading a thread here a few days a ago and they were running down Italeri. You sure proved em wrong!

That Harrier looks great. I believe that VMA-214 is now stationed out of Yuma, Arizona. If you ever build another harrier, check out the markings for VMA-542 out of Cherry Point, NC. The have a very colorful black and yellow paint scheme on their rudders. However, they seem to weather a bit faster than their western counterparts. I have no idea why. Great looking Harrier

Nice job. What color did you use for the body?

Superb, Allan..!

Looks like a very nce, clean build, allan. Good work on the panel line detail.

demono69

I like it, I like it a lot!

Looking good

To bad Boyington is not around to see the Blacksheep Flying AV-8s

looks great
realy good

Hey! The image posting thingy worked after all.

Tango,
Thanks! Glad you liked it. Ill try posting more one of these days.

Pixilater,
Thank you, sir. All of the modifications I did one this one (including the cockpit) were from scratch. The kit is actually a rebuild --- I soaked the whole kit in a tub of bleach for about three days and began rebuilding it. Cant let a completely good lump of plastic go to waste.

Hi allan,

very nice work! Looks good in those markings, great paint job and finish. I hope we see more of your work soon

Regards,

Darren.

While I'm not a fan of modern stuff, I like your build. Very clean, nice panel lines, & canopy. Looks like a nicely detailed cockpit, also. Is it stock, aftermarket, or scratch ?
Good job. I can barely see 1/48 any more, but you seem to be able to see 1/72 just fine.

Okay, that didnt pan out. Err, here are the links, guys:

http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/aircraft/AV8_1
http://rongeorge.com/modules/Gallery/aircraft/AV8_2