AV8B Harrier kit conversion to Night Harrier standard test plane. Based on the 1/48 scale Monogram kit. 100 Parts, 90 colored, 10 clear, decals and instructions, no flash, ejector pin marks or other defects. Out-of-pocket cost $13.99

Since the whole history of the Harrier is well documented, I will only concentrate on the conversion project which is the model of the updated Harrier set to be produced to fill the Marines need for short takeoff planes in the possible stead of the Joint Strike Fighter if the JSF was cancelled.

The First step was to study the references and information I was able to get on the Night Harrier as well as the kit directions to see what conversion parts were needed to complete this project. I found the articles in Hyperscale most helpful at this stage.

Second step was to fit the cockpit together and properly assemble the parts and make the needed modifications to the screen and seat to conform with the known cockpit specifications and to set to the Night Harrier standard. After proper painting, I set aside to dry. This proved to be one of the easiest parts of the conversion to complete.

Step Three was to put the cockpit with the nose gear well together, paint and install the intake/compressor blade assembly and fuselage halves together. At this point, you MUST paint all parts, as the assembly would be VERY DIFFICULT to paint later. Fit was good, not great-you will have to fill and sand some seams. If I had to do this kit again, I would be much more aggressive in sanding and fitting than I was. Once the gluing was done, I set aside to dry.

Part 4 was being done while part 3 was drying, that being the wing assemblies, which went together perfectly, no putty needed. After this, the pylons were installed, be careful, you must be alert to the proper angle of the pylon settings due to the wing dihedrials, this being done, filled gaps, completed sanding-set aside to dry.

Part 5 was to join the fuselage to the wing assembly. This was done with extra care to minimize seams. This assembly was set aside to dry while I attended to the small parts, gun pod, landing gear and the rear elevons which were preprinted then assembled later. Some sanding was needed, not much.

Part 6 was the masking of the kit body for painting. Recalling legitimate critique, I used spray can paint to paint the model in a configuration based on the F-16, this decision was based on the photos I was able to see in my research and my best estimate as to how the Night Harrier would be used in modern warfare. I found the IPMS article on the use of spray can based paint a huge help at this stage of the modeling process. After completion of the painting process, I set aside to dry for several days to ensure proper paint setup.

Part 7 was the instillation of the small parts especially the FLIR pod that I modified from the 1/72 F-18 Hornet kits in my spare parts box. After this major part instillation was completed, the rest of the small parts went together per instructions, little difficulty here. I set aside to dirty and to prepare for decaling.

Part 8 was the preparation work and the application of decals and canopy instillation; here I ran into unexpected difficulty with fit that I had to correct otherwise no problems. I took pain to use minimum markings as would be used today. Performed any weathering I wanted to do after all decals were well dry and fixed to the kit.

Thus completed the kit conversion and assembly. I am very surprised that no Night Harrier kits are available in 1/48 scale. There are several kits available in 1/72 scale that you may want to try. This conversion I recommend only for experienced modelers.

Until later, Happy Modeling

Hugh Gilmartin, Jr.