Still the world's only large scale production VTOL aircraft, the AV-8B Harrier is a major rework of the earlier AV-8A variant. Spurred by a USMC requirement for larger payload capabilities, the AV-8B was developed by McDonnell Douglas and after a rather protracted gestation period entered Marine service in the mid 1980s. The major differences between it and the earlier AV-8A are a larger wing of supercritical design and a different nose section, allowing the pilot a greater field of vision. 

The increases wing size provides for more hardpoints, allowing the AV-8B to carry a greater array of ordnance than the earlier Harrier. The aircraft also has a more powerful engine and is a bit longer as well, enabling the plane to carry more fuel for greater range. Getting all of this together and staying within the required weight limitations was no mean feat. Development of the aircraft took a bit longer than one would have expected in order to make sure that all requirements were met. The RAF Harrier GR.5 is a very similar aircraft. The AV-8B has been developed into even more improved versions, most of which can be spotted by the different noses on the aircraft. The same can be said of the RAF Harrier GR.7 and GR.9. 

More than 15 years after being put into squadron service, Hasegawa finally came out with a 1/72 scale kit of the AV-8B. Why there was such a delay in producing this kit is a real mystery to most modelers. Sure, Italeri produced one during the prototype stages, but it was not a full production version. Well, the wait is finally over and 1/72 modelers have a -8B that was well worth the wait.

The kit is everything one has come to expect from Hasegawa 1/72 jet fighters, including the use of polycaps to hold together the exhaust nozzles. The cockpit includes a passable seat and uses decals for the instrument panel and side consoles. The intakes are molded with the upper inlet doors sagging down as on the real aircraft, a nice touch. Underwing stores include two drop tanks and a pair of Sidewinders. Bombs will have to be obtained from a weapons set. Under the fuselage you can have either the 25mm canon or the strakes. There is a two piece canopy, which is also nice, but it is not designed to be displayed in the open position. The nose of the kit is a separate piece, so one can foresee other versions of the Harrier being released over time, including the RAF versions, as the airframes are almost identical.

The instructions are all that one expects from Hasegawa, giving Gunze and FS paint references as needed. Two aircraft are on the very nicely printed decal sheet. Both are in three tone grey schemes with one from VMA-542 and the other from VMA-223. With such a nice kit finally out, it surely won't be long before there are a number of aftermarket sheets available.

It really looks like a super kit and one that will undoubtedly sell very well.  

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

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