Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 / AV-8A

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1 is undoubtedly one of the most significant aircraft in the history of aviation. It was developed from the Hawker P.1127 experimental aircraft, which was used to test the possibilities of V/STOL flight with vectored thrust.
These aircraft successfully mastered the transition from hover to forward flight and back to hover, although several of the development aircraft crashed during testing.

The prospect of a working V/STOL aircraft was of great interest to both the British and US militaries, who funded further development of the aircraft. The new "Jump Jet" was an instant success for the British public, who marvelled at the ingenuity of their aviation industry, once again the envy of the world.

When the Harrier GR.1 entered Royal Air Force service in April 1969, its operational flexibility ensured that the aircraft was never too far from potential trouble spots.
The Harriers could operate not only from military airfields but also from forest clearings,

As many of these early Harriers were based in West Germany, they would provide a significant deterrent against Eastern Bloc aggression, potentially lurking in many unknown locations, ready to engage attacking Soviet tanks at a moment's notice.

Plastic model kit

scale 1:72

unbuilt 7 unmanned