1:48 McDonnell-Douglas AV-8A Harrier early

The real subject

The AV-8A Harrier was the version of the vertically taking off Harrier aircraft for the United States Marine Corps. On it the thrust of the engine is deflected by swiveling nozzles on the sides of the fuselage, so the machine can take off from a short surface or from a deck and go over into forward flight. The early treatment differs from the later machines in partial changes of equipment. The cockpit and its surroundings are, on the Harrier, among the things best seen under the clear canopy.

What the set contains

These are photo-etched metal parts in 1:48 scale for a model of the AV-8A Harrier in the early treatment. Photo-etch allows elements to be made at a thickness that cannot be reached in injection plastic, so small levers, plates and sheet metal covers look more faithful on a model than the parts from the box. The kit the set is built for and the exact make-up of the fret are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

The parts are held to the fret by thin tabs. Cut through them with a sharp blade on a hard surface; do not tear them, otherwise a part will twist. Lead a bend along the etched groove, best in a bender or between the jaws of flat pliers. It is glued with superglue applied in a small quantity. Before painting, degrease the parts and apply a base paint, because paint otherwise does not hold on smooth metal. Fit the parts for the cockpit before you close the fuselage up.

• 1:48 scale, photo-etched metal parts
• the subject: the AV-8A Harrier in the early treatment
• thin elements unobtainable in injection plastic
• the bends are led along the etched groove
• a base coat on a degreased surface is necessary before painting

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who build the Harrier in 1:48 scale and want even the small things that are looked at close up on a finished model taken all the way. The model of the aircraft, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.