This is my 1/48th Monogram AV-8A (GR.1) Harrier kit which was released back in 1981. The kit is typical of Monogram kits around this time with nice raised detail in the pit, good overall outlines, however the fit is a bit hit and miss and it has old-school raised panel lines.
Notable Kit Features:
Nicely raised details in the cockpit to represent dials and switches
Seated pilot figure included
Simplified construction
Decently clear 2-piece canopy
Positionable exhausts
Speed brake can be positioned
Weapons include 2x Aden canons 2x Mk.82 High-drag and 2 Sidewinders
Raised panel lines
Build Inspiration:
Admittedly this kit was one of my rare SoD victims. I started building this kit and then shelved it pending a move... and completely lost interest in the project. A decade or so later, I unboxed it again and under the motto of "Leave No Kit Behind" decided to finish painting it and get it on display. I also changed my mind on the service and switched from a USMC machine to a RAF GR.1 Harrier type... should have given that a bit more thought.
Heads-Up Report:
Ejector marks on the intake and a few other areas that require smoothing out
Front wheel well area has fit issues
Intake doors on engines are open with no doors moulded (you could build some with plastic card)
Joining the surfaces at the front around the intakes required some sanding and filing and sanding
Lower fuselage to wing join will also need filler
Be mindful to get all five wheels to touch the ground
RAF weapons not provided
Bottom strakes are difficult to fit and orient correctly
Raised panel lines (which become more of an issue when you have to sand off details getting the kit to fit together)
I started building the USMC version and switched to the RAF version but forgot I had installed the Aden gun pods (which the RAF didn't carry)
Kit Additions / Modifications:
Built Out-of-the-Box (Eventually)
Sanded off the raised panel lines
Finishing:
The paint scheme for this aircraft had FS paint calls of 34079 Dark Green / 36173 Gray over 36440 Gray or suggested Dark Green, Dark Sea Grey and Light Aircraft Grey. Not one of my better finishes and the decals weren't helping me any.
The After-Build Report:
Although this 1/48th Monogram AV-8A (GR.1) Harrier kit isn't up to today's standards, I don't recall there being many options for an early AV-8A or GR.1 kit at the time. The 1/48th Tamiya Harrier kit certainly has its issues as well and no other manufacturer stepped in until the Kinetic releases came around in 2020. The Kinetic kit is now the premier kit in this scale (and maybe any scale) if you want an early Harrier version for your collection.
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers