howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
15 December 2010
14:1184750final flights today for the above, being decommissioned next year.
sad to see them go, they were not only a brilliant technical success but also visually stunning.
countless lives have been saved by them during the various wars and skirmishes that we have been involved in.
many other countries still use them, so hopefully they will be sold on.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
15 December 2010
14:2284752India and the US Marines are the main overseas users though I believe Spain have some.
Yes, a great and ground breaking aircraft with its vertical landing and take-off capability. The air defence Sea Harrier version was underrated in the air to air combat role because it was sub-sonic, but as most air superiority combat is sub-sonic this was not important, its manouvourability and ability to vector in forward flight (VIFF) made it a formidable dog-fighter. Its weakness was interception due to it speed.
Sad to see them go.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
15 December 2010
14:3484758A sad day, but a 41 year service cannot be bad.
Been nice knowing you :)
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,897
15 December 2010
14:4384760According to the TV this morning they make their last landing at about 2.00pm. A sad day as you say Paul.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 702- Registered: 9 Jul 2010
- Posts: 241
15 December 2010
23:2884887Seen at Dunsfold this summer.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
16 December 2010
00:4484895I say! That's an expensive sort of duel: sending two men up in the air, each in an aeroplane, for a dog-fight. How much does thst cost the Treasury?
No, not a sad day at all! Men used to march with rifle and bayonet levelled, to the role of drums. And one man marched in the front line carrying the Flag! Now this is discipline!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
16 December 2010
11:0284929alex
our chaps would not last very long against the taleban with a drum roll accompanying them.
Guest 666- Registered: 25 Mar 2008
- Posts: 323
16 December 2010
11:2084933Apart from Chipmunks my best experience as a Cadet (RAF/CCF) was in a Harrier simulator at RAF Gutterslow, we got 15mins each to career around in the cockpit while the screen relayed a realistic camera shot from a gantry in the hanger over a model.
No CGI at all, and the real deal was out on the runway to enjoy too, the last 3yrs they have been at Shoreham Airshow, I hope they will still keep a couple up and flying, a superb aircraft.
Oh Boy!, That'll be the day.........
Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
17 December 2010
11:2885134Used to be one of the main attractions at the shepway airshow, they would do the now famous nodding maneuver whilst in the hover very close to the crowd on the leas. The downside of the loss of the harrier is that should we in the next 10yrs have the need to land Royal Marines on a hostile shore they will have no air cover against hostile aircraft.
beer the food of the gods
www.kenrbaker.co.uk - Photo Gallery
