1/48 Monogram AV-8B Harrier II

by George Rosa

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I bought this model quite a while ago, bought the Black  Box resin cockpit and the Plus conversion from Aamram line and there it lay for a while gathering dust.  When two Bobs released their Hardcorp harrier sheet I decided to start until an accident with the front windshield halted it for a while and had to wait for a replacement.  I used a few parts from the airwaves etched set namely the chaff and flare bits and glued them into the Aamram supplied dispensers at the spine. I also replaced the outrigger oleos with syringe needles to make them look a bit more realistic.  I used X-tracolor paints for the 3 tone camouflage and I used the neat trick that Steve Bamford posted on chalk pastel washing to do the panel lines, dirt and grime. 

Click on images below to see larger images

I battled a bit with the decals (having forgotten some of the techniques that I learnt earlier, but forgotten due to lack of finishing something for a while) and unfortunately some show a bit of silvering.  This was sealed in with future wax and then a layer of Humbrol matt cote.  Not to worry though.  I have bought the new Hasegawa kit and can't wait for two Bobs to release their new Harrier sheet. 

George 

Photos and text © by George Rosa