The British Aerospace Sea Harrier was a VTOL / STOVL (Short take-off and vertical landing) capable fighter, developed to equip the air arm sections of the British Royal Navy. It entered into service during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s with the main operational role of fleet air defence aircraft. In 1982 it was deployed on HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes during the Falklands war, fully demonstrating its operational effectiveness during the conflict. Unable to match the speed and flight characteristics of opposing aircraft such as the Mirage 111, it was nevertheless extremely manoeuvrable and reliable in all operating conditions. The Sea Harrier was equipped with an effective offensive armament capability, consisting of two 30mm ADEN guns installed in pods under the fuselage and by 4 sub-wing hardpoints to launch air-to-air missiles.
During the Second World War the U.S. Navy deployed a large amount of three types of motor torpedo boats: the Higgins measuring 78 feet and ELCO measuring 77 and 80 feet. Every model could be distinguished from the others, apart from by length, by configuration, weapons and various other details. The 80 foot ELCOs represented the most numerous class: they were realised in five series, for a total of about 300 examples Built in mahogany and pushed by three 1,350cv Packard 4M-2500 engines (taken to 1,500 in the latest series), these vessels easily exceeded 40 knots. The equipment and weapons were constantly updated and improved thanks to experience acquired in the field and the progressive change of role: with the progress of the conflict, in fact, the PT Boats left the original task of attacking and cutting off the traffic, taking on the role of gunships and operating in the proximity of the coast or in channels. The Italeri model reproduces the PT 596 and an 80-foot ELCO from the last batch produced.
1:35 Scale
Length: 704mm
Skill level 5
