| Specifications for the AV-8B+ (Harrier II Plus) Developed by - Boeing, BAE Systems, and Rolls Royce Operators – USMC, Italian Navy, Spanish Navy Crew – (1) pilot Performance Powerplant – (1) Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 (F402-RR-408) (Mk 105) vectored-thrust turbofan engine, 23,500 lbf (105 kN) Maximum speed @ sea level - .89 Mach (662 mph) (1,070 km/h) Range – 1,200 nm (1,400 mi) (2,200 km) Combat radius - 300 nmi (556 km) Ferry range - 1,800 nmi (3,300 km) Rate of climb - 14,700 ft/min (4,485 m/min) Dimensions Length - 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m) Wingspan - 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m) Height - 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m) Wing area - 243.4 ft² (22.61 m²) Weight Empty - 13,968 lb (6,340 kg) Loaded - 22,950 lb (10,410 kg) Max takeoff – Rolling / 31,000 lb (14,100 kg) Vertical / 20,755 lb (9,415 kg) Armament Guns – (1) X GAU-12U "Equalizer" 25 mm (0.98 in) cannon with 300 rounds of ammunition. Hardpoints – (7) capable of carrying up to 13,200 lb (STOVL) of ordnance such as iron bombs, cluster bombs, napalm canisters, laser-guided bombs, AGM-65 Maverick or AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, Sea Eagle missiles, a LITENING targeting pod, up to (4) AIM- 9 Sidewinder or similar-sized infrared-guided missiles, up to (4) AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, as well as new “Smart Weapons” such as JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). Avionics Raytheon APG-65 pulse Doppler radar |
Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Jet Powered) HA2602 - AV-8B Harrier II VMA-311 (Tomcats) |

| The AV-8B II + is the second generation of Harriers. Using its VSTOL (Vertical and Short Take Off Landing) abilities the Harrier is capable of using almost any surface to attack and destroy air or ground targets. Armed with conventional or specific weapons the AV- 8B II + can be used in offensive or defensive roles. Now with air-borne radar the AV-8B II + can deliver its ordnance day or night. The AV-8B II + can be air refueled allowing it to be deployed for extended periods. VMA-311 was formed on December 1, 1942 and took the name “Tomcats”. The squadron took part in WWII, Korea , Vietnam and all the actions in the Persian Gulf area since “Operation Desert Shield” in 1990. In March 2003 the “Tomcats” flew their first sortie as part of “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. VMA-311 was credited with flying over 550 sorties and dropping 77 tons of precision ordnance. The AV-8B II Harriers operated from the USS Bon Homme Richard and the USS Tarawa and were responsible for eliminating 132 Iraqi targets. |

