The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval short take-off and vertical landing/vertical take-off and landing jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft. It is the second member of the Harrier Jump Jet family developed. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1 and became informally known as the "Shar". Unusual in an era in which most naval and land-based air superiority fighters were large and supersonic, the principal role of the subsonic Sea Harrier was to provide air defence for Royal Navy task groups centred around the aircraft carriers. Tamiya 1/48 aircraft model kits sets the benchmark for high quality engineering and accuracy, and this series includes numerous famous aircraft from around the world. Modelers can choose from WWII piston-engined fighters all the way to the latest jets. Paint, tools and glue not included.