Harrier Farewell

[tc2324]

Depending on weather and half a million other things, ie, `don`t shoot the messenger` listed below are the times and places for the 16 ship flypast on Wednesday.;)

5239N 00033E (MARHAM AD) 1318 HR
5221N 00006W (WYTON AD) 1322 HR
5237N 00029W (WITTERING AD) 1326 HR
5239N 00029W (STAMFORD) 1327 HR
5302N 00029W (CRANWELL AD) 1401 HR
5310N 00031W (WADDINGTON AD) 1402 HR
5318N 00033W (SCAMPTON AD) 1404 HR
5306N 00010W (CONINGSBY AD) 1411 HR
5244N 00039W (COTTESMORE AD) 1415 HR
5240N 00044W (OAKHAM) 1416 HR
5244N 00039W (COTTESMORE AD) 1420 HR

[Craig]

Curses, 15 mins earlier and I could have caught them on my lunch break :(

[Scottuk]

Cheers TC, see you at Waddington.:D

[tc2324]

Curses, 15 mins earlier and I could have caught them on my lunch break :(

Craig, Can I suggest 3 little words.....,

Class field trip......:LOL:


Cheers TC, see you at Waddington.:D

Looking forward to it, see you then.:)

[Paul F]

It seems hard to believe that we won't see them around at airshows next summer - nothing else brings (oops brought :( ) the crowd to a standstill like a Harrier -the sheer brute force of seeing several tonnes of hardware sitting in the sky with no visible means of support....

I know they're still in service with other operators, so we may see a few at bigger shows, but this seems to be another "Clarkson on Concorde" moment. Wasn't it Jeremy Clarkson who said that when Concorde was grounded mankind took it's first step backwards technology-wise.. surely grounding the Harrier is another similar step for UK (if not for the other countries who will still operate them)?

Yes the JSF may eventually come along and bring back VSTOL fast-jet ops to UK forces, but I'm not holding my breath....

Unfortunately I won't be able to get to see them tomorrow - give em a farewell wave for me chaps...

[Dan214sqn]

count me in, il be at cottesmore, hopefully seeing pleanty of action

[scott]

count me in, il be at cottesmore, hopefully seeing pleanty of action



I will be there

I am planing the operation tonight

Any hints

[tc2324]

Any hints

Get there early and lay your beach towel out as soon as possible......:LOL:

[jaliya48]

It seems hard to believe that we won't see them around at airshows next summer - nothing else brings (oops brought :( ) the crowd to a standstill like a Harrier -the sheer brute force of seeing several tonnes of hardware sitting in the sky with no visible means of support....

I know they're still in service with other operators, so we may see a few at bigger shows, but this seems to be another "Clarkson on Concorde" moment. Wasn't it Jeremy Clarkson who said that when Concorde was grounded mankind took it's first step backwards technology-wise.. surely grounding the Harrier is another similar step for UK (if not for the other countries who will still operate them)?

Yes the JSF may eventually come along and bring back VSTOL fast-jet ops to UK forces, but I'm not holding my breath....

Unfortunately I won't be able to get to see them tomorrow - give em a farewell wave for me chaps...

I feel the same towards the Harrier's retirement. The JSF will not have the 'hunched' look of the SHAR and the other development versions! (The Harrier also happened to be one of my favourite childhood aircraft; I even had a birthday cake made in its shape!)

[raddger]

Its a Shame they aren't coming as far south as the other Harrier haunt, Yeovilton!

[Craig]

Well didn't see them today sadly :(

[spock1]

Well didn't see them today sadly :(

:unsure: Mr. Craig,

Today is Tuesday...................;) :unsure:

[chally2]

Some chums are heading for Cott tomorrow, gutted i can't join them, so hope the weather is ok for everyone who is out catching Harriers, sure to be an emotive day for some:(

[tc2324]

:unsure: Mr. Craig,

Today is Tuesday...................;) :unsure:

Harriers has a rehersal today and a 16 ship practiced the route. Official flypast tommorrow.;)

[Christian]

It seems hard to believe that we won't see them around at airshows next summer - nothing else brings (oops brought :( ) the crowd to a standstill like a Harrier -the sheer brute force of seeing several tonnes of hardware sitting in the sky with no visible means of support....

I know they're still in service with other operators, so we may see a few at bigger shows, but this seems to be another "Clarkson on Concorde" moment. Wasn't it Jeremy Clarkson who said that when Concorde was grounded mankind took it's first step backwards technology-wise.. surely grounding the Harrier is another similar step for UK (if not for the other countries who will still operate them)?

Yes the JSF may eventually come along and bring back VSTOL fast-jet ops to UK forces, but I'm not holding my breath....

Unfortunately I won't be able to get to see them tomorrow - give em a farewell wave for me chaps...

Lads,

Is there any word on whether a couple will be stored with the intent to fly them again once Blighty is back on sweet street??

[tc2324]

Lads,

Is there any word on whether a couple will be stored with the intent to fly them again once Blighty is back on sweet street??

None I`m afraid. The only thing going vertical in the near future will be me after christmas once the credit card bill has arrived.......!

[Christian]

None I`m afraid. The only thing going vertical in the near future will be me after christmas once the credit card bill has arrived.......!

Thats a shame. The Harrier in my view is the most iconic British plane post-war. In fact when I think of British aviation it up there with the Lanc, Spit and Concord.

Its operational record is as diverse and splendid as any other contemporary Jet in service around the world.

Hopefully, secretly, one or two (and a bunch of spares) will squirraled away somewhere.

But as you say, probably a pipedream. :(

[Craig]

Well hoping to see the "real" final jobbie tomorrow, but after today not holding my breath :(

[strix1998]

Navy Chiefs are trying to have a core unit of 20 Harriers retained and based at Yeovilton to be flown by RAF reservist pilots. Interesting to see how that works out.
Selling these aircraft seems to me to be a (nother) folly- surely better to keep them mothballed "just in cases"

[Christian]

Navy Chiefs are trying to have a core unit of 20 Harriers retained and based at Yeovilton to be flown by RAF reservist pilots. Interesting to see how that works out.
Selling these aircraft seems to me to be a (nother) folly- surely better to keep them mothballed "just in cases"

Selling:unsure:

They must have a whole heap of flying hours left in the airframes to make them worthwhile selling.

Makes the decision even odder in my view.

Has it been stated where the proceeds of the Harrier will go to??

Back into the Ministry of Defence???

[dilligafocau]

Just watched some last day footage on ABC News24, still can't believe this jet is no longer req'd :wacko:

[Av8tor]

Had to laugh, BBC News had reporters/cameras there all morning.

So started watching at 1pm. After waiting 40 mins, the newscaster says we're now going live to Cottesmore and what did we see an empty ramp! Guess you would say that's irony for you!