Farewell, then, Harrier



(PA)
Britain's Harrier jump jets have taken off on what is billed as their "final flight" before the axe of Government spending cuts falls on them.
The 16-strong fleet of distinctive aircraft soared into the grey skies above RAF Cottesmore in the East Midlands on a farewell journey due to take them over several other RAF bases.
Weather permitting, they are scheduled to fly over the local town centres of Stamford and Oakham as well as Lincoln Cathedral before landing back at RAF Cottesmore later.

I had an interesting encounter with a Harrier Pilot. He was in charge of Harrier training at Yeovilton. He demonstrated what he was able to do to a poor pilot who was taking the simulator for a spin. (this was an actual Harrier cockpit on giant hydraulic stilts). He basically pulled a few switches on his control panel and gave the guy in the cockpit multiple systems failures. And to his credit, the guy managed to land the plane. My instructor friend had not been so unfortunate. He ejected from his Harrier and got a face full of canopy glass because his visor was up at the time. I'm not sure what a Harrier cost in those days but I expect he had some explaining to do. It's a shame to see another iconic aircraft bite the dust, but considering the original design was conceived fifty years ago, I guess they must move on.

9 comments:

Conan the Librarian™ said...

"We counted them all out and counted them all back again."

Rebel Saint said...

We must move on. So what's replacing them?

In fact, what does the RAF now possess? Just Tornadoes?

Twig said...

@Rebel Saint

Exactly.
The least they could do would be to lay them up until the replacements are ready, so that the Harriers could be brought back into service if necessary.

We seem to be repeating the same mistakes that we did prior to 1939.

Brian said...

The Harrier is a nice aircraft but forty years service is a respectable innings for what was originally a developed demonstrator/prototype (Harrier GR1 from Kestrel) ordered to fill the role intended for the cancelled supersonic P1154. The GR7 and GR9 were thoroughgoing redesigns of the basic layout with improved (eg carbon-fibre and composites to save weight) materials. Although the Sea Harrier was useful during the Falklands, having the recce and ground attack (but no gun armament) GR7a and GR9 on our "aircraft carriers" was a bit of a luxury as they sould not act as fighters (the Blue Parrot radar equipped Sea Harrier FA2 was withdrawn in 2005. Newer fighters are much more manoeuvrable than the Mirage II, Skyhawk etc flown by the Argentines.The joint Harrier force had problems: when in Afghanistan its pilots couldn't qualify for deck landing and vice versa.
All in all the Jaguar should have been kept on instead of the Harrier. As things stand the RAF has a more balanced, effective and affordable fleet in the form of Tornados, Reapers and Typhoons. The AAC can operate its Apaches from the remaining ships like Ocean, Albion and Bulwark to give excellent close support to land forces.
If aeroplanes were kept in service because they were pilots' pals then the RAF would still be flying Furies, Spitfires and Hunters. The business of killing people can't afford to be sentimental.

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Point taken, Brian and thanks for your comprehensive comment.

Jim said...

WW..

" but considering the original design was conceived fifty years ago, I guess they must move on. "

Err well someone better tell the yanks who still love em. Updated of course . Using our technology.

Jim said...

Brian said ..

" Although the Sea Harrier was useful during the Falklands, having the recce and ground attack (but no gun armament"

Que ?
It was only useful due to the sidewinder Air to Air missile. Hurriedly supplied by the US.

" GR7a and GR9 on our "aircraft carriers" was a bit of a luxury as they sould not act as fighters "
Their only role on carriers was as fighters. Designed to defend Ark Royal from incoming aircraft.

" when in Afghanistan its pilots couldn't qualify for deck landing and vice versa."
No carriers in the desert.

" All in all the Jaguar should have been kept on instead of the Harrier"

The Jaguar is a bomber. Slow and ponderous and with no fighter or carrier landing capability.

" As things stand the RAF has a more balanced, effective and affordable fleet in the form of Tornados, Reapers and Typhoons"

Tornadoes are about to be scrapped and there's no such aircraft as a Reaper

" The AAC can operate its Apaches from the remaining ships like Ocean, Albion and Bulwark to give excellent close support to land forces. "

The Apaches belong to the Army

All in all I'd say you were a lyin barsteward bwian who has never worn the uniform. But that's ok. The web is full of them.

Jim said...

footnote..
Reapers are pilotless drones flown from a control centre 6,000 miles away. Not an aircraft in my book but maybe in bwians

Jim said...

Erk. Sorry Brian / WW.
I don't half get self righteous after a few beers. Delete my posts if you like WW. I'm not usually rude.
Apologies.