Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>Harrier>HA2608

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

USMC VMA-223 is a squadron that flies AV-8B Harriers. Their mission is to provide offensive as well as defensive air support for Marine personnel and equipment. VMA- 223 “Bulldogs” was commissioned on May 1, 1942 and their first aircraft was the Brewster F2A Buffalo. In 1965 VMA-223 and their A-4 Skyhawks were sent to Chu Lai, South Vietnam. They were tasked with providing air support for allied ground forces. They were stationed in South Vietnam for five and a half years and flew a total of 32,000 flight hours. In October 1987 the Bulldogs transitioned to their McDonnell Douglas AV- 8B Harrier II. Then in December 1993 the Bulldogs took delivery of the AV-8B II +.

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