Hasegawa's 1/48 AV-8B Harrier Jet
I'm not going to lie, I've attempted this kit several times in the past few years, and have failed miserably. I have two kits with the failed attempts under my bed. The kit has some serious fit issues. It took patience, a lot of dry fitting, sanding, and some putty to make it work. Knowing what I was in for this time, and now armed with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle this kit I finally have an acceptable build for the shelf. This one is all OOB. The colors in the instructions were quite the ways off. So I picked ones that looked right to me. Found a painting guide later online, and I managed to pick the right colors. I think I spend to much time looking at all the various shades of gray! Lol.
Paints used were a mix of Tamiya acrylics, and Model Master enamels. Decals went on fairly well. I did have issues with the one tail decal. It ripped on me, but they snugged down really well using Micro set/sol. Thanks for looking!
9 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Greg Kittinger said on February 18, 2019
Perhaps 3rd time's the charm? Looks very good. Well done.
Christina Swank said on February 18, 2019
I guess so, lol. Thank you!
Craig Abrahamson said on February 18, 2019
Looks like you "mastered the beast" this time around...turned out nicely.
Christina Swank said on February 18, 2019
Thank you!
Robert Royes said on February 18, 2019
Great build, the modern gray camo is harder to get right[for me] some times, you got it spot on.
Christina Swank said on February 18, 2019
Thanks! The instructions had the wrong colors for sure. So glad I went with my gut on that!
Josh Patterson said on February 18, 2019
I have yet to get this kit, but just picked up Monogram's AV-8A (third one of those for me), AV-8B and Kinetic's FRS.1 Shar to go with my Kinetic Harrier two seater. Have yet to get a late model AV-8B like Hasegawa's depicts. Is the kit so bad I should wait and see if Kinetic does this variant? Obviously it can be built as yours looks quite nice. (Even the paint. Sometimes TLAR is the way to go!) I see you've been here since January, so belated welcome. Hope you enjoy it here! (Now I have to go check out your C-47!)
Christina Swank said on February 19, 2019
It is rather fiddly to get together properly. It certainly can be done. The first two times I tried it I didn't have enough experience to deal with it I think. I knew what I was in for this time, and the last few builds I did helped build my confidence. I tried a Monogram one to, and that had damage on the tail, like it got melted somehow. It was a used kit I bought off eBay. I wasn't patient enough to wait for someone else to come out with a kit, lol. Thank you!
Ferry Dierckxsens said on February 18, 2019
Allways nice to see a Harrier and you did a great job. The grey colors are allways a challenge but you managed very well. Love it!
Christina Swank said on February 19, 2019
Thank you!
Jeff Carle said on February 19, 2019
The kit definitely has its challenges, but looks great, you did well! I still see them flying around Yuma and occasionally here in San Diego. I think I worked on three of them before getting one done to my satisfaction.
Christina Swank said on February 19, 2019
It certainly was a bit of a challenge, lol. Last time I seen a Harrier was in 2015 at the local airshow. Was hoping they would have one last year, but sadly they didn't. Thank you!
Louis Gardner said on February 19, 2019
This one turned out very well. I have one of the Monogram AV-8B kits left in the stash and hope to build it up someday. I think you nailed the colors... right on the money with them...
I can remember the first time I saw one flying... It was at an airshow back in the late 70's / early 80's... The pilot flew it in every direction possible and then did a high speed pass. He flew over the grass and started blowing up big chunks of it as it was hovering in front of us ! He ended the show by lowering the nose several times as if he was "bowing" the plane.
Yours looks very good. 🙂
"liked"
Christina Swank said on February 19, 2019
Thank you! First time I saw one was in 2015 at the local air show. I was amazed to see a plane hover!
Tom Cleaver said on February 20, 2019
Very nice work. I know how "fiddly" that kit is.
Christina Swank said on February 20, 2019
Thank you! Very fiddly, lol.
John Healy said on February 21, 2019
Nice work, Christina. What areas are fiddle on this kit?
Christina Swank said on February 21, 2019
Thank you! The fit between the cockpit section and fuselage, along with the wings are the trouble areas. Lots of dry fitting and close attention to the fit and it turns out pretty well.