The AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) was developed to replace the AGM-45 Shrike and the AGM-78 Standard ARM. Unlike the Shrike and the Standard ARM, the HARM was designed from the outset as a SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) weapon, not an adaption of an existing weapon. The HARM system includes the missile, the LAU-118 launcher and HARM specific avionics in the launch aircraft. HARM has the ability to detect, acquire and select a radiating threat and once launched operates in a “fire and forget” autonomous capacity, freeing the launch aircraft to maneuver or to attack another target. The HARM proved its lethality during operations over Iraq during both Desert Storm and Desert Fox. It was used by the F-4G, A-6, A-7, Tornado and the EA-6B and is currently carried on the F-16CJ, F-18A/C/D/E, EF-18G and other aircraft.

The set includes two missile bodies, two sets of mid-body maneuvering fins and a small brass fret which includes 4 exhaust rings. Construction is very straightforward once everything has been removed from the pour stubs; however, I would recommend using a small drill to deepen the mounting holes for the maneuvering fins as mine had a tendency to pop-out of place if bumped more than just gently. The photo-etch exhaust rings add a nice detail, and I plan on using the extra 2 on an old set of Hasegawa HARMs to spruce them up. The detail of the casting is very fine and shows up well under a couple of light coats of paint. Painting of the missiles is simple – every photo I have been able to find shows them to be white.

The set also includes 2 sets of different length launch rails, so be sure to check photographs of the aircraft you are mounting them on to see which is appropriate. It appears that the shorter rails are for US aircraft such as the E/F-18 and the F-16, while the longer rails appear to match those seen on Tornados. Also the painting of the launch rails is one area where I disagree with the instructions. The instructions tell you to paint the launch rails aluminum; however, photographs of the launch rails show them to be the same color as the underside of the launch aircraft. Just in the 1/48^th set, the missiles and the rails are so well detailed, that the missiles actually slide onto the rear mountings on the rails, just like the real missile.

The fun really begins with the decaling process as there are lots of them for each missile (12 different ones, several of which are actually in multiple places) and 3 different ones for each launcher. The decals react perfectly with MicroSet and MicroSol, settling down without any wrinkles.

The detail of these HARMS is outstanding and surpasses any others I have seen or used in 1/72 scale. They will look great on my Tamiya F-16 CJ that is in the works!

Most highly recommended.

Thank you to Eduard for the review sample and to IPMS-USA for letting review it.