AV-8A Harrier USMC

[john53]

I am going to try and do some scratch building to improve on this.

I am not using the kit's weapons, they're pathetic. I will use the strakes

and pylons but may use some Mk 82s out of my Hasegawa weapons set.

I also want to add the auxillary intake doors, I can scratch them from card

stock. So far I have the ejection loops added to the seat. I'm

not sure how far I can go with the cockpit.---John

[john53]

Seat and ejection handles painted, I added the seat back pad. Needs

harnesses.---John

[john53]

I did a test fit of the seat and there's not much room for anything else. I might

be able to paint and detail the instrument panel a bit but that's about it. I'll

have to fill the gaping hole above the seat with card stock.---John

[crackerjazz]

Cool project!  Following along!  I have one in a different scale but will surely get inspiration from this :)

[john53]

Thanks, I didn't realize how old the molds were until I read the date on the fuselage.

1973, I was only out of high school a year when this was molded. I was gazing at the

new mold Airfix AV-8A, light years ahead of this. Anyways I have the seat done as

much as I want to go. I can put it in and close up the fuselage tomorrow.---John

[Major Walt]

Very nostalgic. I remember those days only too well. 1973 almost seems like yesterday 

[phantom75]

Ya know, I built a Matchbox A7 several years back and I was impressed how much fun and good looking the model turned out for being very basic

[wardog]

Something this small will definitely test your skill and patience. However, look at the bright side, at least it has recessed panel lines, wait, I thought that was a modern invention?? 

 

 

[john53]

Thanks, I have the instrument panel, what there is of it, painted and

scratch built a HUD, then put the canopy on. The intake fan and

surrounding area is painted also. I am now cutting up card stock

for the auxiliary doors.---John

[janman]

Ah, nostalgia! Built two Matchbox Harriers back in the days, one SHAR and one GR. 1. I didn't really like them but they were the only aircraft kits I could find at a local supermarket... 😄

 

[john53]

Yes they aren't the best as far as detail and accuracy but with a little help

they look the part, and they are inexpensive. I have all the blow in doors on

and the intakes, nose and tail cones added.---John

[janman]

It's coming along nicely! 

 

[john53]

The wings and stabs are on. Almost ready to mask and paint.---John

 

[john53]

I have the strakes and pylons on, now to mask and do first camo color, light

gray, then I can paint the four Mk 82s from my Hasegawa weapons set.---John

 

Edited April 12, 2018 by john53
grammar

[john53]

Mk 82s painted. I still need to order the light gray paint for the

camouflage.---John

[john53]

I have the Microscale sheet 72-355 and am doing an AV-8A

from VMA-513, Bu 158974, WF, black 6. I have the light gray paint

so I can mask and start the camouflage soon.---John

Edited June 21, 2018 by john53

[john53]

Light gray underside color done. Now to order the green and

gray for the topside.---John

[john53]

The light gray is masked and dark gray camo color sprayed. Now to mask

for the final color, dark green.---John

Edited August 3, 2018 by john53

[Peterpools]

John, Great to have you join the party.

WOW, awesome work on the classic matchbox kit. Greatly enjoying catching up and following your progress.

Keep 'em comin

Peter

Edited August 3, 2018 by Peterpools

[Loach Driver]

Great work on a classic kit that I remember building as a kid back in the late 1970's!

 

LD.