Super Sonic Harrier - HS P.1154
Derring-does of chappies flying a totally useless so-called combat aircraft. Sporty yes, but do c'mon chaps, it was a waste of taxpayers' money.
BEagle
You say:
The Harrier - RN and RAF - did a quite reasonable combat job in '82.
It was the first opportunity for most of us from my era to test ourselves in combat, although recent people have had many more opportunities.
Don't know what your role in that conflict was, but clearly you have an expert opinion about all that did participate.
So what exactly is your point?
Getting serious in an otherwise banter zone - but there are times and places.
Are you referring to Hawker's little puffer jet?
It was the first opportunity for most of us from my era to test ourselves in combat, although recent people have had many more opportunities.
Don't know what your role in that conflict was, but clearly you have an expert opinion about all that did participate.
So what exactly is your point?
Getting serious in an otherwise banter zone - but there are times and places.
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Bomber oh Bomber my friend, I am sooooo disappointed.
YOU BIT like a starved trout matey.
(By the way, we need to have a beer or two sometime. I'd really like that.)
YOU BIT like a starved trout matey.
(By the way, we need to have a beer or two sometime. I'd really like that.)
Thread Starter
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cuefaye ...
At a practical/economic level you are probably right about the Lightning ... but we shouldn't underestimate the deterrent impact of the UK being able to scramble a man with some "teeth" to keep the Ruskies company in the early 60's. Not only that ... but the production line also helped with employment and the developing of our national aerospace/technology "Brain Bank" ... But that's just my personal view
Happy Christmas all ...
Coff.
At a practical/economic level you are probably right about the Lightning ... but we shouldn't underestimate the deterrent impact of the UK being able to scramble a man with some "teeth" to keep the Ruskies company in the early 60's. Not only that ... but the production line also helped with employment and the developing of our national aerospace/technology "Brain Bank" ... But that's just my personal view
Happy Christmas all ...
Coff.
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 22nd Dec 2012 at 07:19.
what was the fuel capacity of the P1154? I can't think it had much range.............
Under ISA/SL conditions with a 2000 lb load and 2 x 300 gall externals, following a STO (rather than a rolling VTO), the aircraft was predicted to have a lo-lo radius of action of 400 nm.
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Originally Posted by coffman
...national aerospace/technology "Brain Bank"...
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......Yes, the little puffer jet served us well, particularly from the small carriers (aka 'through deck cruisers') forced on the RN following cancellation of CVA01....
But the Lightning served the UK very well indeed - for years and years beyond its originally anticipated OSD.
Both British designs through and through, but now sadly consigned to history. Notwithstanding its meagre endurance, the Sea Harrier F/A2 with AIM-120 and Link16 was a superb interceptor.
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I'd delete 'the very well indeed' bit. Very sporty, and thus much loved by its operators, but operability? Payload, range and endurance - well below par, no question.
But it was British, filled a need (on paper at least), kept industrial bums on seats, maintained design and hangar skills, and was much admired at airshows - Tick. Capability - Cross.
But it was British, filled a need (on paper at least), kept industrial bums on seats, maintained design and hangar skills, and was much admired at airshows - Tick. Capability - Cross.
Lightning
...and named specifically by Viktor Belenko in his 1976 debrief as an aircraft the Foxbats were very wary of........(allegedly 
)
)
Last edited by Haraka; 29th Dec 2012 at 13:32. Reason: CMA
