1/24 Airfix AV8 B Harrier

OK, Just to make it a little more accurate, I switched the rocket pods for the U.S. 1K pound bombs. They look good too and now there should be no debate. I also added the yellow trim around the canopy and defined the panel lines. And this is actually an AV8-A, not a Bravo designation as I previously stated. Early A's did not have the det. cord while later versions did. As previously mentioned, some of the main key visual differences between the A and B are the canopy / pilot position; the center mast antenna; the increased wing and additional pylon; the thrusters, air intakes, and the shape of the tail. 

I agree that the wheel wells, landing gear, and cockpit are the worst parts of the kit. I ended up scratchbuilding the missing components for mine. There were many other glitches to make it more challenging than it should've been. I looked into some of the after-market products, but most everything that was good has all dried up. The decals are from the re-release of the kit and are much better than the originals. 

The Det. Cord is the 1/32 version from "Leathernecks". I used two of them spliced together to have it appear more to scale. The cutting and splicing was a nightmare. They are a little tricky to apply so follow the instructions carefully and have a very steady hand. 

Thanks everyone for the kind feedback and information. Happy Modeling...

Ben

I could be remembering wrong, but I want to remember that USMC bought a batch of original Harriers (GR.1s?) when the Brits began the Sea Harrier (or maybe the GR.3) acquisition.

As I remember it, they were bought entire, with the 30mm Aden cannon and the rocket pods, etc.  The designation in the US was AV-8A.

The AV-8 Bravo has the Grumman rebuilt wing and used the Vulcan rotating 20mm.

There's AV-8C, too, but I can't remember if those are FRS rebuilds or AV-8A rebuilds or not.

That being neither here nor there, as this is an impressive build of what I remember as being a very finicky kit that seemed meant to cause frustration in the modeler.

Stik, I have some of the Heritage Aviation stuff, and they are not much better than the kit.    Flightpath also has PE sets; the one I have is extensive but still falls short in tarting up the cockpit.

I think Airfix blew their tooling budget on the pilot figure, so the rest of the model suffered.  Gotta love those divot rivets too - I had a close look at a real Harrier hanging at the RAF Hendon museum, and the skin is definitely a lot smoother.  I would love to have a "new Airfix" 1/24 1st gen Harrier or a 1/32 version from Hasegawa.

According to Scalemates, there is some AM stuff out there for these kits. But I don’t know about current availability...

https://www.scalemates.com/search.php?fkSECTION%5B%5D=All&q=Hawker+Siddeley+Harrier+Av*&fkSCALE%5B%5D=%221:24%22

That's a hard kit to build, but you did it!  Your canopy detcord looks really good - how did you do it?

I have the Gr.3 version, and it is BAD!  I'm surprised no one has done a resin pit or wheel well set.  The tires need aftermarket help too, but the one set I know of is not impressive.

Lol! Understood! I’m kinda partial to CBUs myself but try finding some 1/24 Rockeyes...

But in any case, that is a beautiful build! 

I agree with the ordance.... and you are right, nothing to easily switch it out with. I could've added 1,000 lb U.S. bombs to those pylons but I liked the rocket pods too much. I may do that anyway..... LGB's would be even better.... hummm?

Beautiful build! Great job on improving the detail!

my only critique would be as to ordnance carried. I don’t believe that the USMC ever used the British rocket pods, but would instead use the standard US LAU type. But in 1/24 scale, I bet the options for replacement are lacking.

That's a great build. Really nice. Love the work you did on the wheel wells.

Excellent cockpit details.  Awesome detail on Harrier!

Your friend, Toshi