Hi guys,
I finally finished her. Sorry that I didn't take any progress pics along the way. It was too late to take any assembly pics and I was just too lazy to take pics of the painting process. But jetmodeler was kind enough to let me participate anyway.
First, though, let me say that you guys have some nice builds. I've enjoyed lurking in this GB.
This kit is the Monogram 1/48 AV-8B Harrier. I built it OOB but I did add the beacon light, the VHF antenna, the gun muzzle and the nose gear light.
This kit, in my opinion, is great. Overall I think it captures the shape of the AV-8B better than any other kit. Its my second Monogram/Revell Harrier, in fact.
The only major fit issue is the part where the wing sits in the fuselage "saddle." You just have to spend some time fitting it right and filling the seams above and below but its not too bad. Also, for some reason the raised detail does not line up symmetrically on the fuselage halves. The most notable offenders are the slime light boxes and the pitot tube guide marks. They really need to be sanded/filled. The instructions leave out some important decal placement as well. Also, it can be a little difficult to get the plane to sit on all 5 wheels. You have to take care to get that part right.
The canopy doesn't line up with the windscreen too well, either. It doesn't look so good in the closed position.
I cut off the fuel tanks just because I think the lines of the plane show up better without them. But I probably will add some better ordinance later. I want to leave it OOB for now.
Anyway, enough talking. Here she is. Hope you enjoy it:
This is what I've been calling the "Fly-n-hi effect." I paint on functional slimelights:
I picked up this kit at Modelzona 2011 for $6. Here's the box art:
