USM Marines AV-8B Harrier II VMA-542, US Marines, 2019 Hobby Master HA2631 Scale 1:72

USM Marines AV-8B Harrier II VMA-542, US Marines, 2019 Hobby Master HA2631 Scale 1:72
Hobby Master 1:72 Scale Air Power Collection
Die-cast metal.

Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Weapons that are not permanently attached. Comes with crew figure. Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic.

The GR.7 series is part of the second generation of Harriers and replaced the older GR. 3. This variant is quite similar to the American designed AV-8B but is built under license and equipped with RAF specific navigation and defence systems and added under-wing pylons. The GR.7 is capable of carrying twice the load of the GR.3 or the same load twice as far. The GR.7 first flew in 1989 and entered service in 1990. Of the 96 GR.7 Harriers belonging to the RAF, 62 originally were GR.5s that were upgraded.

Constructed as AV-8B-10 163176 it completed its maiden flight on October 6, 1987. On October 29, 1987 the aircraft was assigned to VMA-513 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. Over the next 13 years this aircraft change units several times before transferring to VMA-311 MCAS Yuma, Arizona in February 2000 where in June 2000 it was Struck Off Charge (SOC) and rebuilt. The rebuild meant a new Bu. No 165581. In 2013 165581 went back to VMA-311 and deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan where it sustained $3.9 million in damages during a landing accident.