1/48 Hasegawa AV-8B Harrier II

by Juan Ojados Gonzalez

--------------------

 

This model represents a AV-8B Harrier II Plus from the Spanish Navy (9ª Escuadrilla). This escuadron is based in the Naval Air Base of Rota (Spain) and is usually deployed aboard the Spanish Navy Aircraft Carrier Principe de Asturias R-11.

The Hasegawa Kit is beautiful, but has MANY things to improve.  I had to search a lot on the internet in order to find solutions to all the problems of this kit.  From my point of view, the most important one is that the canopy glass can not be left opened, since there are two intakes which are not properly placed.  However, after all, is a good kit, which represents perfectly a Harrier.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

To enhance the kit, I used Eduard photoetched parts in some specific places of the kit, but is almost impossible to use all of them.  The decals are a mix from Series Españolas (old decals) and the Kit decals.

It took me around 3 months to finish this kit.  Everything is painted with brush.  The ordnance which comes with the kit is good, but I preferred to use two sidewinders from Hasegawa weapons set.  I plan to add some red tags and LAU-117 launchers with mavericks in the middle hardpoint of the wings.

Finally, the base is just a color print of a section from the Spanish Navy Aircraft Carrier Principe de Asturias R-11.

I would like to thank Steve and the rest of the ARC community for the good advice and tips that I have found on this web site.  I have learnt a lot.  My next model will be a 1/48 F-14A Tomcat (Hasegawa P18).

Juan

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Juan Ojados Gonzalez