The Hobby Master “1:72 Air Power Series” range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale Harrier is a very well-executed model designed with great attention to detail and constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, with only a small amount of plastic. The configurable canopy provides an unobstructed view of the unusually detailed instrument panel. The turbofan can be clearly seen inside the engine intake, the elevators rotate in unison, and there are four independently positionable engine exhaust ports with small vectoring ports at the rear and on the wingtips.

Hobby Master “1:72 Air Power Series” diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Presentation stand to display the aircraft “in flight”.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.

The Harrier is the first operational V/STOL (Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft. By directing the engines exhaust through movable nozzles the force could be used to propel the aircraft along a runway or lift it vertically and then into a forward motion. Because of this ability to lift off vertically the Harriers began to be referred to as “jump jets”. These aircraft were continuously being refined and improved over the years with many new variants being produced.

AV-8B 162731 was delivered to VMA-542 in 1986 and later assigned to VMA-331 “Bumble Bees” then in the 1990s went to VMAT-203. In January 2000 work was completed on the 31st remanufactured jet by using the wings, tail and a few other components from 162731 and joining them with a new fuselage, engine and other parts to create AV8 Harrier II + 165421. In February 2000 the new jet was delivered to VMA-214 “Black Sheep” of Pappy Boyington fame based at MCAS Yuma, Arizona.