Hobby Master 1/72 EAV-8BI: NAS Spain

In January 1996 8 EAV-8B+ were delivered to the Spanish Navy. These aircraft were assigned to the 009 Escuadrilla in a fighter attack role. EAV-8B had a previous serial of 165028 and c/n E13/SP-01. Before 2003 these aircraft only displayed individual codes but from then on displayed aircraft serials. For the 2019 RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo) EAV-8B VA.1B-24 from the NAS Rota was one of two aircraft attending. The aircraft carried a special tail scheme composed of the Spanish national colors, AIR TATTOO with a cobra sitting on top.

Designed to meet a NATO specification for a light tactical support fighter that was also capable of Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL), the Harrier first flew in 1960. This unique aircraft has the distinction of being the only successful V/STOL design out of the many that were put forth during the 1960s. There are four different versions of the Harrier, which uses thrust vectoring to achieve V/STOL: the first generation Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the Naval strike/air defense BAE Sea Harrier, the US AV-8B Harrier II variant and the British BAE Harrier II. The Harrier was produced between 1969 and 2003.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale Harrier is a very well-executed model designed with great attention to detail and constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, with only a small amount of plastic. The configurable canopy provides an unobstructed view of the unusually detailed instrument panel. The turbofan can be clearly seen inside the engine intake, the elevators rotate in unison, and there are four independently positionable engine exhaust ports with small vectoring ports at the rear and on the wingtips. The series includes the US AV-8B variant and the UK GR.Mk 9, and each release features a variety of removable fuel tanks and ordnance.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.