Twobobs Aviation Graphics

 1/48 AV-8B Gunship Harriers decal sheet
product # 48-223     $13.00

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Oct 6 2010

 

This latest decal sheet from Twobobs features 5 USMC Harriers from VMA-214 Black Sheep and VMA-223 Bulldogs.

VMA-214 Black Sheep is famous for their exploits during WW2 in the Pacific as well as the exploits of one of its commanding officers, Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.  VMA-214 has fought in WW2, Korea, Vietnam and in the Middle East. 

VMA-223 Bulldogs has fought in WW2, Vietnam and in the Middle East. 

The showpiece of this sheet is the VMA-214 Black Sheep AV-8B Harrier II Plus with it's black tail with white stars and special "Black Sheep" white script for the gloss black drop tanks.  

These markings on this sheet are for the new gunship gray scheme that the USMC are now painting all of their Harriers.  Both the Night Attack and the Harrier II Plus variants of the aircraft are represented on this sheet.

The 5 aircraft include the following:

  • AV-8B Harrier II Plus, Bu No 165241 VMA-214 MCAS Yuma in March of 2010.  This specially aircraft is has a black tail with white stars on the tail.  It also has gloss black drop tanks with special "Black Sheep" white script on the drop tanks.   

  • AV-8B Night Attack Harrier, Bu No 164154 VMA-214 MCAS Yuma in April of 2010.  

  • AV-8B Harrier II Plus, Bu No 165388 VMA-223 MCAS Cherry Point in April of 2010.  

  • AV-8B Night Attack Harrier, Bu No 163879 VMA-223 MCAS Yuma in April of 2010.  

  • AV-8B Night Attack Harrier, Bu No 164140 VMA-223 MCAS Yuma in April of 2010.  

Click on images below to see larger images

There are enough stencils on this sheet for one complete jet.

Recommended Kits:

  • Hasegawa AV-8B Night Attack Harrier II 

  • Hasegawa AV-8B Harrier II Plus

  • Aires Accessories 

  • Eduard Accessories 

  • EZ Masks

The instructions are clear and include 4 views of each aircraft.  The decals are beautifully printed on 1 decal sheet.  Paint codes are called out in FS #'s, Testors MM, Humbrol, Gunze Sangyo and Xtracrylics. 

Twobobs has done it again with this latest release.  I have read and thoroughly enjoy the memoirs Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and I was a big fan of the 1970s television show Baa Baa Black Sheep, so I was quite excited to see this sheet with 2 Harriers from VMA-214 Black Sheep.  And the fact you also get 3 Harriers from VMA-223 Bulldogs is a total bonus.  The addition of both Night Attack and the Harrier II Plus makes this sheet an excellent choice when you build your next Harrier.  

This sheet is available through http://www.twobobs.net/ and select US Hobby Shops.  Overseas customers can purchase these from Twobobs site or through Twobobs network of overseas distributors.  

Steve Bamford

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford