| Model manufacturer: | Hobbymaster |
| Order code: | HA2631 |
| Scale: | 1:72 |
| Material: | Combined (Metal / Plastic) |
| Weight: | 0.9 kg |
| Registration number: | VMA-542 |
| Dimensions: | 19.6×12.8×4.9 cm (L×W×H) |
| Air company: | US Marine Corps |
| Aircraft manufacturer: | Mcdonnell douglas |
High-quality metal model of the 2019 Harrier II AV-8B military aircraft in detailed processing according to the real model. The package includes a chassis and a stand.
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine fighter aircraft with vertical or short takeoff and landing. It represents the second generation of aircraft from the Harrier family, with which the United States replaced the outdated Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. The US Marine Corps and the Italian Navy plan to operate the AV-8B until 2025 and then completely replace it with the 5th generation F-35B aircraft.
Even before the development of the Sea Harrier began, the British and Americans considered the concept of a more advanced combat aircraft, the so-called Advanced Harrier. At that time, the Bristol company developed and successfully tested a new powerful Pegasus 15 engine, around which a completely new airframe was to be designed. For this purpose, a new American-British joint venture was established in 1972.
The American company McDonnell Douglas has concluded a 15-year agreement with the British Hawker Siddeley, based on which they will jointly develop a new aircraft and McDonnell Douglas will be entitled to start mass production in the United States. Two design proposals were developed, and according to one of them, a prototype of the future aircraft was to be created. However, in March 1975, Hawker Siddeley announced that he was withdrawing from the project, which was probably due to the declining defense budget of Great Britain.
The development of this modified version of the Harrier was given the green light by the US government on July 27, 1976. The above changes were applied by McDonnell Douglas to two existing AV-8As and the modified machines were designated YAB-8B. These prototypes flew in 1979, and although this design proved to be slower than the original Harrier, it was nevertheless a promising step forward and fit well with the needs of the US Marine Corps at the time. As early as 1979, McDonnell Douglas received an order for 336 "Harrier II" aircraft.
