Corgi AA29301 Aviation Archive

Corgi Aviation Archive series AA29303 is a 1/48 scale diecast model of the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Plus,  serial number 165001/01 of  VMA-214 “Black Sheep”, USMC, 2010.

VMF-214 “Black Sheep”

Marine Fighter Squadron 214, known as the” Swashbucklers”, was established on July 1, 1942. Major Gregory” Papp” Boyington took command in August, and the squadron’s nickname was changed to” Black Sheep” in 1943.

The unit has seen combat in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more recently, in operations in the Middle East. In March 2022, the squadron was redesignated as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 (VMFA-214) and began operating the advanced F-35B Lightning II. The squadron now operates out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

McDonnell DouglasAV-8B/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.