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 capabilities of V/STOL flight using vectored thrust.
These aircraft successfully made the transition from hover to forward flight and back to hover, although several of the development aircraft crashed during testing.
The prospect of a functional V/STOL aircraft was of great interest to both the British and US military, who funded further development of the aircraft.
The new "jump jet" was an instant success with the British public, who admired the ingenuity of their aviation industry, which once again became 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 conflict zones.
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 to Eastern Bloc aggression, potentially lurking in many unfamiliar locations, ready to engage attacking Soviet tanks at a moment's notice.

Plastic model kit

Decal options:

• Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1, No.1(F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Wittering, England, aircraft launched from HMS Ark Royal for carrier trials, May 1971
• Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier, VMA-231 "Ace of Spades", United States Marine Corps, Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, United States of America, 1983

Scale 1:72

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included