| This
V/STOL (vertical/short takeoff and landing) combat and reconnaissance aircraft
made its first prototype flight on October 21, 1960, known as the Hawker
P.1127. Less than a year later, on September 12, 1961, the first complete
transitions were made to and from vertical and horizontal flight. Vertical
takeoff of the airplane was accomplished by vectoring the thrust from the
engine downwards; after a safe height was reached, the four nozzles were
rotated slowly rearward to provide forward thrust for the transition to
horizontal flight. As soon as forward speed increased sufficiently for
wing lift to support the aircraft, the nozzles were rotated fully aft.
This sequence was reversed for vertical landing. To stabilize the aircraft
during hovering and low-speed maneuvers, small reaction control jets mounted
in the nose, tail, and each wingtip were activated; operated by the control
column and rudder pedals, these utilized compressed air bled from the engine.
At about the time that the Harrier entered RAF service, an initial buy
of 12 airplanes was made by the US Marine Corps. This service, one of the
first in the world to exploit the helicopter for tactical warfare in Korea
and Vietnam, well appreciated the operational flexibility offered by VTOL.
The prospect of allying this to the performance of a fixed-wing jet combat
airplane was too strong to resist, and the initial order was soon raised
to 110 aircraft, including 8 two-seaters, later stating a requirement for
336 examples of the Advance Harrier, the BAe/McDonnell Douglas AV-8B. This
version of the airplane was powered by one 21,500-lb thrust Rolls-Royce
Pegasus Mk 103 vectored-thrust turbofan, capable of 737 mph at low altitude,
with a service ceiling of 50,000 ft, and a range (with one in-flight refueling)
of more than 3,455 miles. Normal airplane armament is up to a maximum of
5,000 lb. of stores on underfuselage and underwing hardpoints. |
All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted
Mahogany and comes fully assembled with removable desk stand. |
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Dimensions: Wingspan, 10" -Length, 17 1/2"
-Scale, 1/35.5
Item #AM020-AL (Marines) - $142.95
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This model is in precision polymer to exacting
specifications. It is hand painted, and comes fully assembled with removable
desk stand.
Dimensions: Wingspan, 7 3/8" -Length, 11 1/4 "
-Scale, 1/48
Item #C2148A3R (Marines) - $119.95
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