Originally Posted by
Davef68
Interesting, I've heard similar from other riggers about non-UK originated aircraft. I recall one saying that on the Harrier GR3 you could happily swap parts, but on the GR7 all the fastener/rivet holes were in slightly different places.
Yes, at Wittering in the 90s we had a Pipe Bay whose job was to make replacement hydraulic pipes as each Harrier GR5/7 had the bends in a different place. I had previously heard the same story, in respect of the Phantom, from a Flt Sgt of mine who had worked at St Athan in the 60s/70s, so it was nothing new, just a bit disappointing.