F-104 race with Harrier 1975 Wittering

[chopper2004]

Just read about JaboG 31’s deployment in 1975 to Wittering on the International F-104 Society Fakebook page and there are few funny bits like with zapping the squadron patches (stickers) on helmets and one Harrier airframe!

But more interesting is the race between Harrier T.2 XW271and the TF-104G 27+35. The Harrier had the F-104 pilot in the back and vice versa to act as observer / judge lol

Does anyone remember this friendly competition from our side?

Cheers

[MSOCS]

I reckon Exmudmover might know; try and PM him.

[noprobs]

Bomber H flew the Harrier, and might read this.

[Wetstart Dryrun]

similar happened on an Italian exchange to Wittering.... early 80's.

F104 off the main with thunder, reheat and nessun dorma.

T4 off the northern taxiway, bimbled airborne with a bit of nozzle to help. Flown by a chap who smoked thin cigars.

Harrier first to 10k.

...is there much above that?

wets

[Courtney Mil]

Much above that? There is for a 104.

[tartare]

There most certainly is! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_NF-104A)

[mr fish]

a harrier raced the le mans winning diesel audi a few years back at wittering.
the audi was driven by allan mcnish....the le mans winner.
the result was 2-1 to harrier.


allan stopped on after the bash to chat and answer many questions....top bloke.

[thrusts a must]

In the absence of Bomber who was there. I remember being woken by the noise of the 104 burning down to min fuel on seeing a beut vfr day. ( The T4was about +1500lb on the GR3 and I think that the TF was lighter than the F ).
Off 26 the 104 disappeared over Vigo wood at very very low level. At some enormous speed he then vanished in a cloud of vapour as he converted speed to drag and appeared like a dart going seemingly vertical. The race was to 10k and he must have gone up to at least 25 for a fuel priority visual. I think the harrier launched with full internal and held around 300kt to 10k. It then flew for another 40mins or so. Bit hazy here but as I recall it was 64secs for the T4 and 68 for the TF.

[tartare]

Can just imagine it - must have been an impressive sight - and a hell of a sound.