View Full Version : Final demise of the (Royal Navy) SHAR
fradu
30th Mar 2006, 09:37
Below are a selection of my photographs taken at Yeovilton on Tuesday/Wednesday.
Growing up in Yeovil, I saw these aeroplanes, in both FRS.1 and F/A2 guise almost every weekday during the 1980s and 1990s.
Therefore it was rather sad to see them all go...
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed1.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed2.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed3.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed4.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed5.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed6.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed7.jpg
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed8.jpg
...and another ex-801NAS aeroplane...VR930, which 'FB11' flew later that day.
http://www.russfam.f2s.com/shar/sharwed10.jpg
Thanks for the memories ex-crew of 800NAS, 899NAS and 801NAS :(
Dr Illitout
30th Mar 2006, 09:57
Cracking photo's fradu!
it's a sad day indeed. I remember seeing the prototype FRS1 arrive at Farnborough, having first flown only days before. It then did what must have been it's first ski jump off a jump made from bits of baily bridge the army had put up in the middle of the airfield!
Rgds Dr I
very parochial thread tittle though. The Indian navy might disagree. :rolleyes:
fradu
30th Mar 2006, 10:57
Duly edited, although it doesn't appear to have been appeared!
Opssys
30th Mar 2006, 11:23
Fradu.
Great Photos.
In my heart of heart's think this is one retirement party 'we' may live to regret!
DIH
Trevelez
30th Mar 2006, 14:16
Excellent photographs, and a loss. However, the Blue Vixen radar will be a big improvement. Is VTOL something of a novelty in today's warfare arena? The Harrier will always lack speed. Having said that, it is a fine aircraft that I grew up with at RAF Wittering.
WE Branch Fanatic
8th Apr 2006, 10:48
The Harrier/Sea Harrier was more STOVL than VTOL..........
What do you mean Blue Vixen will be an improvement? The aircraft that carries it has been axed - although a few will live on for training purposes to teach aircraft handlers. Personally I think this might be the Navy trying to beat the system and keep some in MOD hands.........even in a degraded state, it is better than the scrapyard.
See here for serious discussion (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98152) of this topic. Nice pics BTW.
BEagle
8th Apr 2006, 17:03
So the FAA's jet fighter strength is now....
A single 52 year old Sea Hawk F(GA) Mk 6.
:rolleyes:
Beagle,
Apart from 800 NAS just about to deploy on HMS Illustrious (still fighter pilots at heart on the premier fighter squadron,) ironically to go via the Middle East to work with the Indian Sea Harrier FRS51s, the RN can rest safe in the knowledge that it's not the Sea Hawk protecting the fleet but Sea Fury FB11 VR930. (Even if she did fly with the ballet dancing 801st.)
18 cylinders of 130 octane over a crude oil burner any day.
John Farley
10th Apr 2006, 10:05
Dr Illitout
It then did what must have been it's first ski jump off a jump made from bits of baily bridge the army had put up in the middle of the airfield!
Correct. 30 Aug 78
Herewith the evidence - cause for celebration by the late John Fozard the SHAR chief designer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/450Farnrampsmall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/johnfarley/JFFJWFFI78smallcrop.jpg
Regards J