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REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:19 pm
by Aviatornut.com
AV8 Harrier II
Summary of features and quality
Over all the Harrier plane is very impressive and full of great detail. I liked all the little surprise like the air brakes that opened up and the detail of the moving exhaust. Also thought the weapons were well done and the engine bay doors that opened are a really nice feature. There is also a surprise light at the tail end of the plane. The landing gear wheels are real rubber and spring loaded.
The negative items are that the cockpit glass is glued shut and I also thought the packaging was not anywhere as nice as the JSI F14. But this is a great addition the 1/18 scale and I am happy to have one in my collection. I do hope they do a Falkland Island one someday
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Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:47 pm
by MUDHEN336
The cockpit is glued shut?!! What?! Why would they do that? Can you pry it open? Is there a hinge? This might just ruin it for me.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:49 pm
by Aviatornut.com
it is glued and easy to open but no hinge and will not lock closed. going to put a pilot figure in and glue shut but not happy with this flaw.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:58 pm
by MUDHEN336
Doesn't look like they fixed the crooked "Marines" on the tail either. Still looks like it is canted at about 20 degrees. Why would you worry about movable high-drag fins on the Mk82 but not fix the crooked printing on the tail? I think I'm going to pass. Years of waiting...

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 4:03 pm
by Aviatornut.com
I put the Harrier up there next to the F14 as my two favorite 1/18 scale planes despite the cockpit flaw.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 5:52 pm
by Coreyeagle48
John:

Whats your price on the Harrier with shipping? Looking for the best price.

Thanks

Corey

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 7:19 pm
by tmanthegreat
Unopening canopy doesn't sound very promising, especially compared to every other aircraft in the scale. Hopefully just a flaw...

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 9:16 pm
by Beeavision
Looks like they changed out the name of the pilot. The prototype was Lt. Col. Bret "Critter" Ritterby but now it is Capt. M. "KC" Tallor who doesn't even register online as a real pilot. I wonder if they had to make up the name last minute to avoid paying any royalties. Not really a big deal for me though. The canopy flaw does seem a bit odd but I will have to see for myself to be sure if it is something worth arguing over. Normally I keep the canopies closed anyway while on display. The cockpit however seems to be rather simple. I can't make out any detailed controls or gauges like that found in the F-14. Again, I'll need to see more first to be sure.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 9:44 pm
by Black_Dragon_One
Time to use magnetic

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 9:46 pm
by Black_Dragon_One

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 9:48 pm
by Black_Dragon_One

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 9:49 pm
by Black_Dragon_One
For those that going to do these please post tutorial. It might turn out for the better

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 12:55 am
by supersonicfifi
obviously no gun pod :

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and the cockpit problem is a big disappointement :evil:

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:58 am
by JoeS
I had heard several years ago from a reliable source that a harrier was coming out but given the time that has passed I never believed it. Just is strange that after all of the hype and suspense it appears a simple functioning and rather crucial aspect such as sliding canopy (if i interpreted this oversight correctly from Aviationut) was shelved but they did manage to incorporate rotating engine exhausts - a more complicated undertaking. I'll give this a chance though as it might be a one off. Hoping the kit version comes out too like the excellent Dauntless.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:12 am
by Beeavision
If its true there is no sliding track for the canopy I may have to add them on so I don't have to keep gluing it in place to prevent it from falling off every time I handle it. I don't think it would be that hard to do.... at least for me anyway. As for the cockpit & controls I will probably have to add in the details myself. It is very important to me if I'm going to display it. The amount of detail put into the F-14 & SBD Dauntless really set the bar higher in this scale. So I guess we are now more spoiled then ever. :lol:

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:12 am
by MUDHEN336
I guess I don't understand . Why would you spend time and money making sure the refueling probe moves or adding a light in the tail but not spend time making sure the printing was at least even. Only the pickiest collectors would be upset that the panels above the engine didn't open but everyone will notice the printing screwed up. I would rather not have Marines printed on the tail at all then have it at some wild angle. I don't think this got through quality control unnoticed. I think they just said "we cant send this thing back again, lets run with it."

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:18 am
by Aviatornut.com
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Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:19 am
by Aviatornut.com
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Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:28 am
by rschaap
Great comparison photos. Can't wait to receive mine. How hard was it to remove the canopy.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:33 am
by Aviatornut.com
real easy to remove canopy. just pops off.

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Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 9:41 am
by Beeavision
Under the right lighting next to the F-14 it sure looks too good to pass up despite a couple of flaws. Keep posting those pictures. :D

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 10:17 am
by Aviatornut.com
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Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 10:18 am
by Beeavision
Sorry to sound like a fussbudget but in those photos of the model it looks like the pilot/ejection seat is positioned a little further up which may explain why the pilot figure is pressed up against the dash controls. The seat should be in line with the leading edge of the intake. I wonder if that would be an easy fix. Also the guide rail extension back plate should move with the canopy but on the model it is fixed to the cockpit. Again, not a big deal for me since I will probably keep the canopy closed while on display.

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Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 10:35 am
by Beeavision
Aviatornut, be careful pairing up photos of the model with too many of the actual photos of the jet. May just give us more to fuss over. :lol: Then again this is a review thread.

Re: REVIEW OF THE 1/18 scale Harrier AV-8B

Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2015 10:42 am
by pickelhaube
The canted MARINES printing is not really all that bad.

It may be a little glitch but the over all look is just great .