Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Harrier>HA2603

General Background

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.

The Aircraft

VMA-214 was originally commissioned in early 1942 as VMF-214 the “Swashbucklers”. In August 1943 the squadron was renamed the “Black Sheep’ when it came under the command of the infamous Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. On July 9 1957 VMF-214 became VMA-214. In September 1987 the squadron moved to MCAS Yuma Arizona and is attached to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW). In June 1989 VMA-214 retired their A-4M aircraft for the new AV-8B Harriers and in June 1993 the first AV-8B Harrier II arrived.

Specifications :

Crew:	1
Dimensions
Length:	46 ft 4 in (14.12 m)
Height:	11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Wingspan:	30 ft 4 in (9.25 m)
Wing area	343 ft² (22.6 m²)
Weights
Empty:	12,500 lb (5,700 kg)
Loaded:	15,703 lb (7,123 kg)
Maximum Takeoff :	VTO 18,950 lb (8,595 kg)
	STO 31,000 lb (14,016 kg
Powerplant
Engines:	1× Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk. 105 turbofan with four thrust vectored exhaust nozzles, 21,750 lb (96.7 kN)
Performance
Maximum speed:	662 mph (1,065 km/h)
Combat radius:	300 nmi (556 km)
Ferry range:	2,015 mi ( 3,242.8 km )
Service ceiling:	50,000 ft (15,000 m)
Rate of climb:	14,715 ft/min (74.8 m/s)
Armament
Guns	2 × 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage
Hardpoints	8× under-wing pylon stations holding up to 8,000 lb (3,650 kg) of payload