1:72 AV-8B Plus

The real subject

The AV-8B is an American attack aircraft capable of short take-off and vertical landing. The thrust of its powerplant is vectored downward, so the machine can operate from short strips and from the decks of amphibious ships where an ordinary attack aircraft could not put down. The configuration designated Plus received a radar in the nose, which widened the aircraft's range of missions beyond direct support of ground troops. The forward fuselage is therefore shaped differently from the earlier examples.

What the set offers

Photo-etched metal parts in 1:72 scale for completing a model of this aircraft. In a small scale the difference between plastic and photo-etched parts shows most: a plastic part cannot be thinner than production allows, whereas metal sheet goes down to tenths of a millimeter. Which parts of the model the set completes or replaces is described in the manufacturer's instructions.

• 1:72 scale
• photo-etched metal parts
• the real subject is the AV-8B Plus
• an accessory for a kit, not a standalone model

Building and painting tips

Expect the parts in this scale to be genuinely tiny. Separate them with a sharp blade on a hard surface and hold them with tweezers so that they do not ping away. Make each bend against a straight edge along the whole length at once. They are glued with super glue applied with a pin; cement for polystyrene has no effect on metal. Degrease the metal and apply a primer before painting.

Who it is for

For modelers of modern aircraft who want to push the details even in 1:72 scale beyond what plastic can manage. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the package, unless stated otherwise.