Italian Navy's AV-8B Plus Harrier II in 1/32nd scale

[Piero]

Hello,

 

Here is my MDD/Alenia AV-8B Harrier II Plus in use with the Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) as “Lupi di Mare” (Sea Wolf) Squadron based at MARISTAER Grottaglie (Italy) and deployed on board of the Garibaldi and Cavour Italian carriers.

 

KIT

The model is based on Trumpeter AV-8B Plus kit in 1/32nd scale.

 

This kit is not so good.

Details are generally basic and the specific parts of this version as the radome, FLIR and chaff&flare launchers are really off in terms of shape and size.

Wing pylons are wrong and doesn’t fit the wings. Ventral pylon is wrong too.

External fuel tanks are wrong in shape.

The panel lines are mostly incorrected too.

The decals sheet in the box doesn’t offer the choice of the Italian’s Harriers…

 

So, it’s a long way to get a decent Harrier replica…

 

CONSTRUCTION

Most of the correction and adds steps can be found on the WIP topic of this model.

To recap the detail sets I sued and the parts from scratch I made, here is a list:

 

·         Aires resin cockpit set;

·         Aires resin undercarriage bays set;

·         Eduard PE sheets for internal and external details;

·         North Star Models resin AGM-65 Maverick missile and rail;

·         Cutting Edge resin LAU AIM-9 launch rails;

·         Isra Decal resin Litening targeting pod;

·         Hasegawa plastic external fuel tanks from an A-4 kit;

·         AMS Resin undercarriage wheels;

·         Radome from scratch;

·         FLIR from scratch;

·         Chaff&flare dorsal launchers from scratch;

·         Air scoops, external sensors and aerial antennas from scratch;

·         ECM ALQ-164 pod from scratch;

·         Ventral pylon from scratch.

 

COLORS & MARKINGS

The Italian’s Harries has a 2-tone grey camouflage: top and side are in 36231, with underside in 36320.

Paint were from the acrylics lines of Gunze and Tamiya.

For the decal I went with a mix form Phoenix decal for the stencils, Tauro Models were used for the wolf-steps on the vertical tail, Navy’s anchors and roundels. Zotz decal for the wolf-head, pilot name and the MDC inside the canopy.

Some RBF tags were added to finish the model.

 

And now some pictures of the completed model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIAO!

Piero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andwil]

Great looking model.  Is it correct that such large tanks would be carried on outboard pylons?

 

Andrew

[Piero]

3 minutes ago, Andwil said:

Great looking model.  Is it correct that such large tanks would be carried on outboard pylons?

 

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

 

many thanks!

 

yes, the AV-8B can carry up to 4 external fuel tanks. Depending on the type of war load, the external fuel tanks can be carried on the internal pylons or on the middle pylons.

 

CIAO!

Piero

[FatFlyHalf]

Wow!  It still amazes me how this aeroplane developed. 

(Temptation here to make a political comment about the stupidity of a certain government scrapping their Harrier force, but I'll resist the temptation).

 

You've made a great job of modelling this heavily burdened aircraft.

[Lovely Pig]

Cracking result Piero

[Mark Strasser]

Awesome!!!

Mark

[Philtheplanetinker]

What a beast! Quality just top quality work!

[CJP]

Beautiful AV-8B and nice to see one in Italian markings - very nice photos too

CJP

[exdraken]

Really worth all the effort!!

[Head in the clouds.]

Top marks for a top model and a refreshing subject matter too.

[Shaun]

Well done, a lot of extra work has gone into that one!!  I can't see an area that you have not had to work on, having built the kit myself.

Congratulations on a fine build.

 

Shaun. 

[Screech]

Beautiful rendition on the Italian Harrier!

 

[MikeR]

Now that does look good!

 

Mike.

[pipthepilot]

That is beautifully painted, I can't speak for the accuracy of the kit but you have certainly made it look good.

[pipthepilot]

On 27/04/2018 at 22:01, FatFlyHalf said:

(Temptation here to make a political comment about the stupidity of a certain government scrapping their Harrier force, but I'll resist the temptation).

 

Please go ahead, I suspect you will be hard pushed on this site to find someone who doesn't agree with you. 🙂 

[djos]

What a BEAST

Looks very realistic. Weathering is perfect.

Great model with lot of visual details.......perfect

regards Djordje

[vlad74]

veramente bellissimo complimenti, ottimo lavoro💪💪💪💪

[Epeeman]

Wow! Looks real ..........

[russ c]

Superb ! Looks amazing

[Piero]

Hello my friends,

 

thank you very much for your compliments on my Harrier Plus!!!

 

CIAO!

Piero

[F-32]

Stonking work, looks amazing!