McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II model airplane

This V/STOL (vertical/short takeoff and landing) combat and reconnaissance aircraft made its first prototype flight on October 21, 1960, known as the Hawker P.1127. Less than a year later, on September 12, 1961, the first complete transitions were made to and from vertical and horizontal flight. Vertical takeoff of the airplane was accomplished by vectoring the thrust from the engine downwards; after a safe height was reached, the four nozzles were rotated slowly rearward to provide forward thrust for the transition to horizontal flight. As soon as forward speed increased sufficiently for wing lift to support the aircraft, the nozzles were rotated fully aft. This sequence was reversed for vertical landing. To stabilize the aircraft during hovering and low-speed maneuvers, small reaction control jets mounted in the nose, tail, and each wingtip were activated; operated by the control column and rudder pedals, these utilized compressed air bled from the engine.

At about the time that the Harrier entered RAF service, an initial buy of 12 airplanes was made by the US Marine Corps. This service, one of the first in the world to exploit the helicopter for tactical warfare in Korea and Vietnam, well appreciated the operational flexibility offered by VTOL. The prospect of allying this to the performance of a fixed-wing jet combat airplane was too strong to resist, and the initial order was soon raised to 110 aircraft, including 8 two-seaters, later stating a requirement for 336 examples of the Advance Harrier, the BAe/McDonnell Douglas AV-8B. This version of the airplane was powered by one 21,500-lb thrust Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk 103 vectored-thrust turbofan, capable of 737 mph at low altitude, with a service ceiling of 50,000 ft, and a range (with one in-flight refueling) of more than 3,455 miles. Normal airplane armament is up to a maximum of 5,000 lb. of stores on underfuselage and underwing hardpoints.

All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted Mahogany and comes fully assembled with removable desk stand.

Dimensions: Wingspan, 10" -Length, 17 1/2" -Scale, 1/35.5

Item #AM020-AL (Marines) - Air Corps Price $142.95 - Ground shipping just $4.98 to anywhere in the continental U.S.

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This model is in precision polymer to exacting specifications. It is hand painted, and comes fully assembled with removable desk stand.

Dimensions: Wingspan, 7 3/8" -Length, 11 1/4 " -Scale, 1/48

Item #C2148A3R (Marines) - Air Corps Price $119.95 - Ground shipping just $4.98 to anywhere in the continental U.S.

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