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Monogram 1/48 AV-8A Harrier WIP


Stikpusher

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This is Monogram’s 1979 issue 1/48 AV-8A/GR.1 Harrier kit. Of the Harriers in 1/48 available at that time (Tamiya & Airfix), this was the best kit out there of the subject. It’s only shortfall compared to the other two is in ordnance included. This kit has been in my stash for nearly 40 years, being one of my “original stash kits”. So it is time to change that.

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I’ll be using this decal set for markings options

http://www.caracalmodels.com/products/images/cd48027profiles1.jpg

The cockpit has very fine raised details, and is pretty decent, considering it’s age. Back from when Monogram was setting the standard in 1/48 detail.

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So far I have added the base colors using Humbrol enamels (go figure). Being that these were built in the UK, they were originally produced with BSC colors, which only changed when they were overhauled later in their service lives.

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Aside from decals and ordnance, this will be an OOB build. The kit does not appear to need any major additions or replacement of details.

Edited by Stikpusher
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Gotta agree that those old Monogram kits really gave you a lot of bang for your buck! I just started the old 1/48 Monogram OA-4M Skyhawk the other day, and will just build it OOTB as a "quickie" build. Looks like you're off to a great start once more!

 

Gil :smiley16:

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Thanks Gil! Are you going to post the OA-4M build on here? I do hope to see this project of yours.

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4 hours ago, Mark Deliduka said:

Looking great Carlos! I do need to add an AV-8A and-B to my US Marine Force. I'm watching this one

What?! You don’t have any USMC Harriers in your collection?! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot my friend.;)  You need to correct that ASAP!

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I guess my seeing them at the MCAS El Toro open house every year that I want fro the 70’s to the 90’s influenced my model building. Every Harrier that I’ve ever finished so far in every scale has been USMC. I guess that I should finish my sidelined RN Sea Harrier someday to change that... 😉 

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I’ve got an oil wash done in the cockpit and have started on more detail painting...

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I have some instrument decals on the way for the IP.

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Thanks Mark. I’ve been working on the cockpit some more the past couple of days. I just need to do a few more things in there and then I’ll get some more photos posted.

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Now that they pay me not to show up to work for the rest of my life, finding time for the workbench isn’t that hard for me to do.  It just a question of what else do I have planned to do for that particular day.

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I hear ya Mark. The modeling muses are not always calling me either to my workbench when I have nothing else going on. Or when they do, my progress is minimal...

I’m still working in the cockpit here....

Finished up the ejection seat

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and I started adding the Airscale instrument decals to the panel

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The IP decals are going to be something of a slow process...

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks Mark. Those decals sure made the IP look better than I could paint it up. And of course, even with the cockpit open and unoccupied, they will be hard to see. Ah well...

Well yesterday I finally finished up paint and decal work in the cockpit. 

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and for a little scale reference, the obligatory giant penny

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now I just have the wheel wells and intake area to deal with before I can get the fuselage closed up.

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Well, I didn’t turn up a ‘65 penny in my can of pennies, so I used the closest one that I had 😉 And once again, thank you Mark.

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🤣🤣🤣 Well, at least them young punks don’t tell me OK Boomer... 😉

Thanks for the compliments Gil. I’m just about to the point where I can finish up in the wheel wells and get the fuselage assembled. 

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The last few days I have been working on painting interior parts, mainly the wheel wells, and getting parts ready to be glued inside the fuselage.

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and then next thing ya know, it is starting to look like an aircraft... somewhat...

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and some close ups of the cockpit and nose wheel well

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3-D318-D14-634-B-4-C9-A-A06-E-1525-BFCF5

next comes seam clean up...

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Jim and Mark, thank you. It’s finally taking shape now.

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Yes it does feel good!

So over the past few days I have been working on seam clean up. I used Tamiya Gray putty and wet sanding, a great combination. 

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I still need to scribe lost panel lines to replace detail lost while sanding.

And I built the wing...

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of course I had to test fit the wing... 

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Nice snug fit! I’ll have to just watch alignment when I do glue it in place... that all on this one for this week...

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