AGM-88B HARM

(CAD illustration courtesy of Eduard website)

Eduard BRASSIN, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

Eduard's BRASSIN 1/48 HARM is available online from Squadron.com

The AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is a tactical, air-to-surface missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. It was originally developed by Texas Instruments as a replacement for the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard ARM system. Production was later taken over by Raytheon Corporation when it purchased the defense production business of Texas Instruments.

The AGM-88 can detect, attack, and destroy a radar antenna or transmitter with minimal aircrew input. The proportional guidance system that homes in on enemy radar emissions has a fixed antenna and seeker head in the missile's nose.

A smokeless, solid-propellant, booster-sustainer rocket motor propels the missile at speeds over Mach 2. HARM, a U.S. Navy-led program, was initially integrated onto the A-6E, A-7 and F/A-18 and later onto the EA-6B. RDT&E for use on the F-14 was begun, but not completed.

The USAF introduced HARM on the F-4G Wild Weasel and later on specialized F-16s equipped with the HARM Targeting System (HTS).

Source: Wikepedia

Eduard Brassin offers a growing range of aftermarket missiles, amongst the latest of which is the pair of AGM-88B’s reviewed here.

The two missiles come attractively packaged in a blister pack with sponge cushioning. Very clear instructions are included, with colour call-outs cross-referenced to the Gunze Aqueous and Mr Color paint ranges. A small sheet of decals provides for the missile markings.

A PDF copy of the instructions is downloadable from Eduard’s website.

The quality of casting is excellent, with the pour sub attached to the tail of the missile fuselage and by thin wafers to the fins. A PE disk provides exhaust plug detail, and fits to the tail once the pour stub is removed and cleaned up. Four separate fins must be attached to each missile. The launch rail come in two lengths, so there is obviously a need to check which type applies to the subject being modelled.

Painted and decaled, these HARMs should be an excellent addition to any suitable model, and are sure to be a vast improvement over any injected kit items. Eduard offers a 1/48 scale pair AGM-78’s for about one Euro more than their smaller scale equivalent (see Brassin 648180). 

This pair of AGM-88B HARMs by Brassin is very nicely rendered. They offer a real opportunity to improve and refine the appearance of Wild Weasel and other anti-radar subjects.

I definitely recommended them.

Thanks to Eduard for the samples and images.

Review Text Copyright © 2015 by Mark Davies
Page Created 26 May, 2015
Last updated 26 May, 2015

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