This link from the Sea Harrier thread makes rather depressing reading
http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2003/na...national1.html
One issue, the time for a Harrier engine change: 550 man hours as against 10 man hours for a F16 speaks volumes to the title of this thread.
Now admittedly the Harrier is no ordainary machine, and the wing has to come off for an engine change, and while this is a unique Harrier issue the modular connections employed on the F16 are still very much quicker to disengage/engage than the numerous discrete connections on the Harrier.
Elsewhere the article relates that every Harrier flying hour 'costs' 25 maintenance hours, 2 to 5 times the cost of an F18. The need to 'carry' snags, rather than fixing them is one aspect blamed for the high accident rate.
Older readers may recall the Lightning, another wonderful plane when in the air but oh so rarely seen there. We about fell over with delight, one afternoon on 5 Squadron at Binbrook when 5 Lightnings were seen in the air simultaneously.
Access to all avionics was diabolical and changing the upper engine was a nightmare, involving a crane and numerous engine fitters with all tools on cords for the eventuallity of dropped articles falling down past the newly installed engine - which neccessitated engine back out again.
But just try and tell the kids today though, they just won't believe you.