Hobby Master HA2633 1/72 Air Power Series

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2633 is a 1/72 scale diecast model of the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Plus Bu.No 165357, with tail code CG03 of Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231) “Ace of Spades”, United States Marine Corps (USMC). Deployed aboard the USS Bataan, in the Red Sea, during Operation Inherent Resolve 2017.

“Operation Inherent Resolve”

Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231), known as the “Ace of Spades,” deployed aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5) in 2017 as part of “Operation Inherent Resolve”. During this operation, the squadron conducted close air support and precision strike missions against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. VMA-231 returned from this deployment in May 2017. The squadron was part of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) that supported operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

McDonnell Douglas/BAe Harrier II

The McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II is an Anglo-American single-seat, single-engine subsonic attack aircraft with vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capability. A second-generation Harrier, it first flew on November 5, 1981, and entered service with the US Marine Corps in January 1985. It also serves with the Spanish Navy, the Italian Navy, and the British Air Force.

It has undergone several upgrades, including the Night Attack Harrier (GR7 with the RAF) and the Harrier II Plus, which features an extended nose to house beyond-visual-range missile radar. Production ended in 2003, with approximately 340 airframes built.

Propulsion is by a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus vectored-thrust turbofan engine, centre-mounted in the fuselage with an air intake on each side. The thrust vectoring system uses four swivelling nozzles to provide lift and forward propulsion. The armament consists of up to two cannon pods mounted under the fuselage. Eight external hard points carry 4,200 kg (9,200 lb) of stores.