In Box Review of Platz 1/144th Scale U.S. AV-8B Harrier II Jet Fighter
Flying Color Selection
Kit no. FC-9 2400
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 2,592 JPY or $23.35 U.S. from Platz
Kit is a new release with a copyright of 2018.
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 2,592 JPY or $23.35 U.S. from Platz
Kit is a new release with a copyright of 2018.
HISTORY:
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine ground-attack aircraft that constitutes the second generation of the Harrier Jump Jet family.
Capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL), the aircraft was designed in the late 1970s as an Anglo-American development of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first operational V/STOL aircraft.
The aircraft is primarily employed on light attack or multi-role missions, ranging from close air support of ground troops to armed reconnaissance. The AV-8B is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the Spanish Navy, and the Italian Navy.
A variant of the AV-8B, the British Aerospace Harrier II, was developed for the British military, while another, the TAV-8B, is a dedicated two-seat trainer.
The project that eventually led to the AV-8B's creation started in the early 1970s as a cooperative effort between the United States and United Kingdom (UK), aimed at addressing the operational inadequacies of the first-generation Harrier.
Early efforts centered on a larger, more powerful Pegasus engine to dramatically improve the capabilities of the Harrier. Due to budgetary constraints, the UK abandoned the project in 1975.
Following the withdrawal of the UK, McDonnell Douglas extensively redesigned the earlier AV-8A Harrier to create the AV-8B. While retaining the general layout of its predecessor, the aircraft incorporates a new wing, an elevated cockpit, a redesigned fuselage, one extra hard point per wing, and other structural and aerodynamic refinements.
The aircraft is powered by an upgraded version of the Pegasus, which gives the aircraft its V/STOL ability. The AV-8B made its maiden flight in November 1981 and entered service with the USMC in January 1985. Later upgrades added a night-attack capability and radar, resulting in the AV-8B(NA) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus, respectively.
An enlarged version named Harrier III was also studied, but not pursued. The UK, through British Aerospace, re-joined the improved Harrier project as a partner in 1981, giving it a significant work-share in the project.
After corporate mergers in the 1990s, Boeing and BAE Systems have jointly supported the program. Approximately 340 aircraft were produced in a 22-year production program that ended in 2003.
Typically operated from small aircraft carriers, large amphibious assault ships and simple forward operating bases, AV-8Bs have participated in numerous military and humanitarian operations, proving themselves versatile assets.
U.S. Army General Norman Schwarzkopf named the USMC Harrier II as one of several important weapons in the Gulf War. The aircraft took part in combat during the Iraq War beginning in 2003.
The Harrier II has served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan since 2001, and was used in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. Italian and Spanish Harrier IIs have taken part in overseas conflicts in conjunction with NATO coalitions.
During its service history, the AV-8B has had a high accident rate, related to the percentage of time spent in critical take-off and landing phases. USMC and Italian Navy AV-8Bs are to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, with the former expected to operate its Harriers until 2025.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: V/STOL ground-attack aircraft
National origin: United States / United Kingdom
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / British Aerospace, Boeing / BAE Systems
First flight: YAV-8B: 9 November 1978, AV-8B: 5 November 1981
Introduction to service: January 1985
Current status: In service
Primary users: United States Marine Corps,Italian Navy and Spanish Navy
Produced: 1981–2003
Number built: AV-8B: 337 (excluding the YAV-8B)
Program cost: U.S. $6.5 billion (1987)
Unit cost: U.S. 24–30 million (1996)
Developed from: Hawker Siddeley Harrier
Variants: British Aerospace Harrier II
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine ground-attack aircraft that constitutes the second generation of the Harrier Jump Jet family.
Capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL), the aircraft was designed in the late 1970s as an Anglo-American development of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first operational V/STOL aircraft.
The aircraft is primarily employed on light attack or multi-role missions, ranging from close air support of ground troops to armed reconnaissance. The AV-8B is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the Spanish Navy, and the Italian Navy.
A variant of the AV-8B, the British Aerospace Harrier II, was developed for the British military, while another, the TAV-8B, is a dedicated two-seat trainer.
The project that eventually led to the AV-8B's creation started in the early 1970s as a cooperative effort between the United States and United Kingdom (UK), aimed at addressing the operational inadequacies of the first-generation Harrier.
Early efforts centered on a larger, more powerful Pegasus engine to dramatically improve the capabilities of the Harrier. Due to budgetary constraints, the UK abandoned the project in 1975.
Following the withdrawal of the UK, McDonnell Douglas extensively redesigned the earlier AV-8A Harrier to create the AV-8B. While retaining the general layout of its predecessor, the aircraft incorporates a new wing, an elevated cockpit, a redesigned fuselage, one extra hard point per wing, and other structural and aerodynamic refinements.
The aircraft is powered by an upgraded version of the Pegasus, which gives the aircraft its V/STOL ability. The AV-8B made its maiden flight in November 1981 and entered service with the USMC in January 1985. Later upgrades added a night-attack capability and radar, resulting in the AV-8B(NA) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus, respectively.
An enlarged version named Harrier III was also studied, but not pursued. The UK, through British Aerospace, re-joined the improved Harrier project as a partner in 1981, giving it a significant work-share in the project.
After corporate mergers in the 1990s, Boeing and BAE Systems have jointly supported the program. Approximately 340 aircraft were produced in a 22-year production program that ended in 2003.
Typically operated from small aircraft carriers, large amphibious assault ships and simple forward operating bases, AV-8Bs have participated in numerous military and humanitarian operations, proving themselves versatile assets.
U.S. Army General Norman Schwarzkopf named the USMC Harrier II as one of several important weapons in the Gulf War. The aircraft took part in combat during the Iraq War beginning in 2003.
The Harrier II has served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan since 2001, and was used in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. Italian and Spanish Harrier IIs have taken part in overseas conflicts in conjunction with NATO coalitions.
During its service history, the AV-8B has had a high accident rate, related to the percentage of time spent in critical take-off and landing phases. USMC and Italian Navy AV-8Bs are to be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, with the former expected to operate its Harriers until 2025.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: V/STOL ground-attack aircraft
National origin: United States / United Kingdom
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / British Aerospace, Boeing / BAE Systems
First flight: YAV-8B: 9 November 1978, AV-8B: 5 November 1981
Introduction to service: January 1985
Current status: In service
Primary users: United States Marine Corps,Italian Navy and Spanish Navy
Produced: 1981–2003
Number built: AV-8B: 337 (excluding the YAV-8B)
Program cost: U.S. $6.5 billion (1987)
Unit cost: U.S. 24–30 million (1996)
Developed from: Hawker Siddeley Harrier
Variants: British Aerospace Harrier II
THE KIT:
Platz is a prolific model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a end-opening type box. It is not shrink-wrapped.
The box art is by Yukio Furutachi. It shows a Harrier II against an background that is half blue and half white.
The Harrier II is in a wave pattern of dark sea-grey and dark-green. It has a black 06 on the sides of the nose, followed by a black circle with a star on it, black VMA 211 on the fuselage sides, black CF high on the rudder, with a yellow vertical bar and black 163882 over MARINES on the base of the rudder and a star and bars on the sides of the engine air intakes.
It is a "Night Attack" Harrier II, Bu.No. 163882 of VMA-211 as the aircraft appeared in 1990.
The box art says the kit holds 2 ready to assemble plastic model kits in 1/144th scale (length 3", wingspan 2 1/2") with brilliant and unique color schemes by silk-screen printed decals.
One side panel of the box says: these are plastic unassembled scale model kits. Glue and paint are not included. Some parts are extremely sharp, handle carefully. Suitable for modelers age 15 and above, in Japanese, English and French.
Platz is a prolific model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a end-opening type box. It is not shrink-wrapped.
The box art is by Yukio Furutachi. It shows a Harrier II against an background that is half blue and half white.
The Harrier II is in a wave pattern of dark sea-grey and dark-green. It has a black 06 on the sides of the nose, followed by a black circle with a star on it, black VMA 211 on the fuselage sides, black CF high on the rudder, with a yellow vertical bar and black 163882 over MARINES on the base of the rudder and a star and bars on the sides of the engine air intakes.
It is a "Night Attack" Harrier II, Bu.No. 163882 of VMA-211 as the aircraft appeared in 1990.
The box art says the kit holds 2 ready to assemble plastic model kits in 1/144th scale (length 3", wingspan 2 1/2") with brilliant and unique color schemes by silk-screen printed decals.
One side panel of the box says: these are plastic unassembled scale model kits. Glue and paint are not included. Some parts are extremely sharp, handle carefully. Suitable for modelers age 15 and above, in Japanese, English and French.
The copyright date of the kit is 2018. and it was made in Japan. Platz's telephone and FAX numbers and their street address in Shizuoka, Japan are provided.
The other side panel has 2 color side view illustrations of Harrier II's:
1. Harrier II, GR-9, ZG 406/35 JFH (Joint Force Harrier)/NSW/(Naval Strike Wing). British Navy.
It is overall gray with a red, white and blue rudder, with white 1909-2018 high on the rudder, that has a black upper half and white lower half. A black FLY 100 NAVY on the lower white area and a black serial no. ZD 406 on the fuselage sides. The Harrier is as it appeared in 2009.
2. Harrier II in 2 shades of grey, with a black circle with a ace of spades card on it on the sides of the nose, black star with bars on sides of the engine air intakes, black scalloped leading edge on rudder, with white SINCE 1919 and ACE OF SPADES on it, a white 01 high on the rudder tip, over white CG and 3 black spades down the rudder flap.
It is a Harrier II Plus, BuNo. 164570 of VMA-231 as it appeared in 2006.
The other side panel has 2 color side view illustrations of Harrier II's:
1. Harrier II, GR-9, ZG 406/35 JFH (Joint Force Harrier)/NSW/(Naval Strike Wing). British Navy.
It is overall gray with a red, white and blue rudder, with white 1909-2018 high on the rudder, that has a black upper half and white lower half. A black FLY 100 NAVY on the lower white area and a black serial no. ZD 406 on the fuselage sides. The Harrier is as it appeared in 2009.
2. Harrier II in 2 shades of grey, with a black circle with a ace of spades card on it on the sides of the nose, black star with bars on sides of the engine air intakes, black scalloped leading edge on rudder, with white SINCE 1919 and ACE OF SPADES on it, a white 01 high on the rudder tip, over white CG and 3 black spades down the rudder flap.
It is a Harrier II Plus, BuNo. 164570 of VMA-231 as it appeared in 2006.
The bottom of the box shows the 3 schemes (already described above) and upper views, with Japanese and English captions.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 2 complete Harrier II models in medium-gray, clear cockpit transparancies, a decal sheet, each in a clear self-sealing cello bag and the instructions.
There are 3 medium-grey trees per kit. They are not alphabetized and have no part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. However, the instructions do have part numbers of the parts in the illustrations.
The first medium-grey tree holds the fuselage halves etc. (10 parts)
This kit contains 2 complete Harrier II models in medium-gray, clear cockpit transparancies, a decal sheet, each in a clear self-sealing cello bag and the instructions.
There are 3 medium-grey trees per kit. They are not alphabetized and have no part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. However, the instructions do have part numbers of the parts in the illustrations.
The first medium-grey tree holds the fuselage halves etc. (10 parts)
The second medium-grey tree holds the wings, elevators and rudder etc. (11 parts)
The third medium-grey tree holds: drop tanks, rockets, main wheels, nose wheel, gear legs etc. (23 parts)
There is no pilot figure included.
There is no pilot figure included.
The single clear cockpit transparency is next.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8 1/2" x 6 1/2" page format, printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 and 2 give a total of 4 assembly steps, with This is a plastic unassembled scale model kit. Glue and paint not included. Some parts are extremely sharp, handle carefully and do not use near fire using glue and/or paint. Suitable for age 15 and above.
Parts trees illustrations is at the bottom of page 1.
The 5th step is the painting and applying decal instructions shown on pages 3 and 4.
Page 4 has a 4 view of a AV-8B Harrier II (Night Attack) Fighter, BuNo. 163882 VMA-211, the box art subject (already described above)
A 4-view of a Harrier GR.9 with the Joint Force Harrier group. (also described already above).
The top of page 4 has a AV-8B Harrier II Plus (also described already above)
Next is a suggested color listing of Mr.Color and Model Master brands of hobby paints and the 6th assembly step for the small parts.
Detail nicely engraved type. There is no pilot figure included. The decal sheet includes a tissue to protect its face from scratching.
Highly recommended.
I want to thank the folks at Platz for this review sample.
Their products can be seen at:
Page 1 and 2 give a total of 4 assembly steps, with This is a plastic unassembled scale model kit. Glue and paint not included. Some parts are extremely sharp, handle carefully and do not use near fire using glue and/or paint. Suitable for age 15 and above.
Parts trees illustrations is at the bottom of page 1.
The 5th step is the painting and applying decal instructions shown on pages 3 and 4.
Page 4 has a 4 view of a AV-8B Harrier II (Night Attack) Fighter, BuNo. 163882 VMA-211, the box art subject (already described above)
A 4-view of a Harrier GR.9 with the Joint Force Harrier group. (also described already above).
The top of page 4 has a AV-8B Harrier II Plus (also described already above)
Next is a suggested color listing of Mr.Color and Model Master brands of hobby paints and the 6th assembly step for the small parts.
Detail nicely engraved type. There is no pilot figure included. The decal sheet includes a tissue to protect its face from scratching.
Highly recommended.
I want to thank the folks at Platz for this review sample.
Their products can be seen at: