Hasegawa's 1/48 AV-8B Harrier WIP:Completed!

Thanks Mark!

I spent most of the day working on the Harrier.  Most of the decals went on without fight, but a few gave me some issues.  Thankfully I had a few spare decal sheets from the other uncompleted builds.  So no big deal. 

Once the decals were done I did some weathering, and the final assembely.  Here's the finished pics. 

I'l have to start using my camera for the finished pics, the flash from my cell phone washes out all the weathering.  It has it's fair share of mistakes, and smudges, but overall I'm pretty happy with it.  Looks good sitting on the shelf.

Rock on, Keyda! Knew you'd be able to pull it off without any trouble.

Looks really grand!

Great job, Miss Keyda! I've built that exact same kit many, many years ago, and I know what you mean about the issues that it has. Your's came out very nice!

VMA-231 was (and still is, I guess) a squadron at Cherry Point, NC. Having sat in many Harriers while stationed there (in all of the Harrier squadrons that were there; I had to test the DECM equipment in them), I have probably sat in the cockpit of that very Harrier. I sure wished I had kept track of the Bureau Numbers of each of the aircraft I had sat in, but it never crossed my mind to do so at the time.

I was really surprised at how well that vertical stabilizer decal went on. I thought that one would be the real problem child of the build, but it turned out to be the easiest part of the build. 

Now you need a TAV-8B (the two-seat trainer variant) to sit alongside your gun squadron variant. Awesome job!

Gary

Thanks Greg!  I knew what I was in for this time from attempting it several times before, lol.  I just needed to take my time, test fit a lot, and sand where needed to make things fit!

Gary, Thank you!  It certainly has it's issues.  I've attempted it several times, and got beyond frustrated.  Those kits landed up back in the boxes.  I was determined to have a Harrier in the collection though, lol.  That's cool!  Closest I've gotten to a Harrier was watching it the air show.  They are neat looking for sure.  I have tons of those wish I would of thought of that at the time moments, lol.  I wasn't looking forward to that decal at all, lol.  I thought it was going to be like the decal on my F-16 Thunderbird, but it did go on a lot smoother. 

Cool!  I like the weathering/exhaust.  I've been wanting to do one of these.

As always your finished product looks awesome!

Your Friend, Toshi

That turned out really nice, I really like the undertones and weathering.  Sweet feeling doing a nice finish on a kit that previously kicked your butt!

Joe

 Keyda, I could have sworn I only looked away for a few minutes, and you completed your build! And did a mighty fine job of it too! 

Wish I could build as quickly as you.

Is that det cord on the canopy a decal?

Keyda, you should be extra proud of this one. You did a super nice job on it. That is a stellar looking build. Well done.

BK

Thanks lawdog.  I won't lie, it's been tough.  I'm glad I have models to keep me distracted!

Thanks keavdog!  I really do like weathering stuff.  I've dabbled a bit into it on previous builds, but didn't fully get into until I did Mini W7. 

Thanks Tosh!

Joe, Thanks, and yes I'm so glad I was able to finish this one. 

Edwin, Lol.  I've been spending a lot of time at the bench, not much else to do in the winter. Thank you!  Yes, that is a decal on the canopy.  Bit of a pain in the butt, it's actually 2 decals.

Thanks Brandon!