Esci-ERTL 1/72 McDonnell Douglas AV-8A Matacor

ESCI-ERTL 1:72 MCD.D. AV-8A MATADOR
'INBOX Review'

AMT-ERTL BOXING OF THE SAME KIT

Reviewer: John Lacey (rec.models.scale)

History

McDonnell-Douglas’ variant of the British Harrier GR.1, the AV-8A was almost indistinguishable externally except for a large antenna used for air-ground comms on the aircraft’s spine. The AV-8A was the US Marine’s introduction to the Harrier, soon followed by the –8C, another GR.1 based machine. These would eventually lead to the AV-8B Harrier II, a totally new aircraft, still serving in it’s advanced forms with many air arms.

The Kit

As an Esci-Ertl kit, this is quite old, dating from 1980, the instructions referring to the Harrier’s service with the RAF and RN during the Falklands War in 1982. The kit offers either the AV-8A of the USMC or the AV-8S of the Spanish Navy.

The sprues themselves exhibit a mix of rased and recessed detail with some very fine features to be noted. Naturally, the basic airframe is used for the same company’s GR.3 and Sea Harrier kits (the Sea Harrier finding its way onto our shelves again via Italeri). The forward fuselage, nose cone and fin are found on a separate sprue along with the aforementioned antenna. Clear parts include a very clear canopy, separate windscreen and a small HUD pane.

Options are limited to an open or closed canopy, a choice of belly strakes or gun pods and engine nozzles in flight or landing position. Those in the ‘wheels up’ fraternity will be disappointed to know that major surgery will have to happen before this plane can be displayed ‘in flight’. The forward wheel has it’s door moulded with the landing gear leg and the outrigger legs are shown in the ‘down’ position only, no provision being made for them to be retracted. Equally so, the airbrake below the rear fuselage is show in the extended position. For stores, the modeller is offered two AIM-9 variant AAMs of dubious quality along with the drop tanks frequently seen on the aircraft. The centreline pylon is supplied, however there is nothing to hang on it.

Details are quite nice given the kit’s age and scale, the cockpit having decals supplied for both the instrument panel and side panels along with a single piece ‘bang-seat’ and a control column. The bay for the airbrake is a separate moulding, whilst the wheel wells on the centreline are boxed in but with no internal detail.

The Instructions

A standard Esci sheet, consisting of one long, double-sided page, folded into three sections giving multi-lingual aircraft history, the final two construction steps and the two painting and markings guides on one side with the colour callouts and eleven construction steps on the opposite. Detail painting is noted throughout the construction steps, specific for the two variants as supplied.

The Decals

The decals were printed in 1980 and still in excellent condition in my kit. They are quite matt and in excellent register and provide the individual markings for the two aircraft in addition to a wealth of stencilling markings. It should be noted here that both options include an aircraft number on the interior face of the airbrake.

Marking Options

One US Marine aircraft is supplied along with one from the Spanish Navy. The Marine aircraft is from VMA-542 ‘Flying Tigers’ in the first scheme worn by USMC Harriers, that of a grey/green disruptive camouflage over light gull grey lowers. The Spanish machine is from 8 Esquadrilla de la Armada or the 8^th Squadron of the Spanish Navy and is a scheme reminiscent of USN/MC during the 60s and 70s having light gull grey upper & side surfaces and white lowers. Unlike the US scheme however, the grey covers the entire upper airframe, wrapping around the leading edge of the mainplane and tailplane and the white upper control surfaces of the US scheme are replaced by the gull grey.

Conclusions

Well, I for one love the kit. I’ve been a fan of US Marine and Naval aviation pre BOG (Boring Old Grey) for some time and have wanted to add an early Marine Harrier to my collection. This kit was a bonus along with a number of kits I have recently purchased from a fellow ‘What If’ website modeller (thanks Steve!!) and is certainly the nicest of surprises. The kit is streets ahead of the elderly Hasegawa example and I personally hope Italeri are intending on re-releasing this kit with their other Esci acquisitions. I happily recommend this kit to modellers of any skill level or age.

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