Corgi Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier, VMA-231 'Aces' US Marine Corps

The Harrier has become famous as the world's first vertical take-off and landing strike fighter, ever since the prototype Hawker P.1127 flew in 1960.  The United States placed an inital order for 12 Harriers under the designation AV-8A, but these proved so successful that the order was increased to 110, including eight two-seaters.  These aircraft can carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air combat and the USMC have adapted their Harriers to use thrust-vectoring (VIFF) in dog-fight situations.  VMA-231 'Aces' was the first U.S. Marine Corps Harrier squadron, formed on the 15th of May 1973 at Cherry Point, North Carolina. 158390 is the subject of this model and was one of the first USMC Harriers delivered and wears the Squadron's 'Ace of Spades' on the nose!

SCALE:    1:72
WING SPAN:    107 mm  (4 1/2 inches)

The Collectors Note

Corgi has produced many variants of the famous Harrier Jump Jet. Models available include the GR.1, GR.3, FRS.1 Sea Harrier, AV-8A and AV-8C. Currently no-one else makes these jets in diecast. While I do have these jets in my personal collection, I've found that the quality varies particularly in the area of the pylons. In my experience the pylons aren't always perpendicular to the ground and at times are even perpendicular to the wing. In addition there is often excess glue where the pylons are attached to the wing. Would I recommend it? Well yes, I have RAF, RN and USMC examples. The model comes with a stand, the nozzles can rotate and there's interchangable landing gear. The thing is though it would have been better to select each model on the basis of having personally examined it. That is something we're not really able to do here. This particular model has the right drop tank virtually perpendicular to the wing. The box has also been damaged and repaired.

Picture courtesy of www.tricatus.co.uk

Please see my other listings as well. Also check out the Dora 9 Diecast website and blog.

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