Cottesmore 24th Nov – Harriers Back from the boat (images)

[Man-on-the-fence]

At the risk of getting a load of abuse for being a lowly spotter I thought some of you might like to see these. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/nerd.gif

Probably my final visit to RAF Cottesmore , my hope was to get the special tailed examples as they came back from the Boat. I was treated to some of the best light I have seen here and some of the coldest temperatures as well.

First Launch
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0024.jpg

Strobetastic
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0019.jpg

Returning from the Boat, the last British Harriers to go to sea
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0079.jpg

The 1Sqn Special very kindly pirouetted over the 22 threshold for us. I think he knew what his audience wanted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0178.jpg

The Navy special flew two approached finishing with this nice curved one, makes a change from the side on shots.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0209.jpg

What I will miss about Cottesmore is how close to the action one can get at the runway 22 end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0407.jpg

In the afternoon the runway was changed to 04. This made things harder but I persisted in the hope of catching the departure of the Navy jets to Yeovilton. Then as quick as a flash they were gone!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0485.jpg
My final ever shot of a flying British Harrier, taken from Cottesmore Cemetery looking over the graves of the airmen killed in World War 2. They will be here long after the Harriers are a distant memory, silently watching.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0711.jpg

I am still editing my shots from the day, more to follow on my Blog and here if you wish. (so I dont upset the forum cops please Google Manonthefence and you should find it)

So long Cottesmore!

[CathayBrat]

Not spotting, very well done. :D

[Lancelot37]

Fantastic Piccies, well done.

[stilton]

Outstanding pics.


What a great loss.

[Widger]

Beautiful shots and a sad day for not just the RN but the RAF and those that the aircraft supported.

[kiwibrit]

All I am getting is the nerd gif smilie. Could any body re-post the correct link?

now have the pics

[oldbaldeagle]

Lovely pictures, thank you.

[Al R]

Thanks for posting them - there is something about the Harrier that makes it special and I shall never forget my few trips in one. As TACP, and when drawing on fast air (of all types and from many nations) in demanding situations, we always cheered up a little when we heard a Harrier c/s requesting a rear brief. Some of those boys tipping in would have torn the wings off for us and it amazed me sometimes, that it didn't happen.

[NRU74]

back from the boat Don't the Fishheads get upset if you call anything other than a submarine or a Flying Boat thingy a 'boat' ?

[Canadian WokkaDoctor]

Don't the Fishheads get upset if you call anything other than a submarine or a Flying Boat thingy a 'boat' ?

The one's I've known get a bit touchy about calling then boats, which is why I do it of course:)

CWD

[Standby!]

Top quality pics. Well done.:ok:

[D John]

Thanks for the great photos (on behalf of all us Harrier nutters!):}

-John:ok:

[Man-on-the-fence]

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

A couple more shots as promised.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0057.jpg

Bird problem?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0063.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/101124EGXJ/10-11-24EGXJ0279.jpg

I have now finished the blog post. As I said above please google Manonthefence to find it. A very big thank you to the Harrier crews who have, in the face of great disappointment, tried to be cheerful for the benefit of us photographers over the fence. It is apprecited by all of us.

With that I will return to lurking

[Al R]

I imagine that seats in the T birds will be at a premium right now..

Is there an OCU course going through at the moment or very recently? Commiserations.

[Toddington Ted]

Awesome photos, thank you very much for posting! I have been used to seeing Harriers flying overhead almost daily (living just up the A1 from Cottesmore and Wittering) but I guess I'll have to get used to not seeing them! Sad but such is the way of things these days. Many thanks once again. The shot from the cemetary is particularly poignant.

[Jabba_TG12]

Great pics, nice work!:ok:

[Storminnorm]

Nice Photos!!!
Museum pieces now though, ain't they?

It's over 50 years since I came up with the Harrier concept.
Doesn't time fly? But not Harriers off boats anymore!!!

[Agaricus bisporus]

If you really have to prove you're a spotter just carry on calling the ship a Boat (with its curious capitalization) though such petty sniping seems particularly inappropriate on a sad and historic occasion like this.

[david parry]

:rolleyes: Through Deck Cruiser, Skimmers ,and then Boats;)

[FATTER GATOR]

Perhaps someone can educate me (being a (ex) Nimrod hack).

Looking at the pic of the GR9 with the tail markings SH (ROUNDEL) M..what is the significance of this reg number? Looks WW2 with the yellow ring surroundung the roundel. Bit of a history lesson perhaps.

Great pictures.

FG

[BootFlap]

Fatter Gator,

the jet (IIRC) was painted with WWII markings to commemorate 70 years post BofB. It may even have a 'Bumble Bee' somewhere on it as per the markings of a Sgt pilot on 1(F) during the war.

MOTF

as an ex-Harrier man, thank you very much for your photographs... wonderful!

BootFlap

[cokecan]

watched a pair of GR9's fly nice and low just east of Clee Hill in Shropshire last week - t'was a very sad feeling i got when i realised it might well be the last time i ever saw one in service.

they flew south (ish) into to the sunset, which was all rather sad...

[hum]

Darkie Clowes had another stripe painted on the wasp for each kill..

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/gerryhum/darkieC.jpg

Apparently the last ever Harrier flights will take place from Cottesmore on 15th Dec :-(

Thanks for posting those great pics!

[VFE]

A 15 ship formation flypast on 14th, 15th or 16th December depending on who you speak to.

End of an era. :(

VFE.

[John Farley]

Sorry to disagree with you but my elders and betters in the FAA certainly used to refer (colloquially) to the ships they flew from as Boats and before that even as steamers.

[chiglet]

Thanks John, but my uncle [Stoker on Manxman] always said that a boat was launched off a ship.... :confused:

[philrigger]

;)

... JFH FCs intent to finish all Harrier flying with a flypast of 16 ac in diamond formation. The plan is to fly the formation at 1000' on the following route: Wyton, Wittering, Cranwell, Waddington, Scampton, Coningsby and Cottesmore. The date will be the 15th Dec 10 with back up days of 14th and 16th, a weather call being made on Mon 13th. Timings are being aimed at commencing the flypasts at 1330hrs however if weather dictates then the time may flex.

A bit clearer for everyone - maybe.


Philrigger.

[Man-on-the-fence]

GR3 at Coningsby in April 89. Was this on exercise Priory of Mallet Blow?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/Harr%20Blog/GR3/5-347.jpg

Sea Harriers at Farnborough in September 82

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/Harr%20Blog/Shar1/DRGHarrier0016jpg.jpg

Harrier GR3 display at Fairford in 89
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/motf/2010/Harr%20Blog/GR3/6-472.jpg


More on my Blog (search for Manonthefence), I'd love to hear from anyone who was involved.

[VFE]

The NOTAM states the flypast shall be below 3000' but speaking to one of the pilots last week they are planning on 500' over aerodromes. :)

Wednesday 15th still stood as the date as of 1100L today.

VFE.