I love the phrase " that wasn't a flypast, it was a role demonstration " !
The next part of the demo' presumably being the Illustrious sinking in the Thames, having been clobbered with no fighters on CAP...
Even GR9's would have been a token effort, and as said before, exactly how much further will a Hawk glide ?
Harriers, even the P1127 prototype, have been dead-sticked to safety, Hugh Merewether did it twice ( Tangmere & Thorney ) and Test Pilots such as John Farley logged HOURS with engine out deliberately - from altitude of course.
It seems a vintage single engine Spitfire ( or a group of them & Hurricanes, I photographed it ) can happily fly along the Mall & over Buck House, while a modern professionally maintained Harrier ist verboten...
Another type noticable by its' absence was the Swordfish - don't tell me that won't glide, or was someone worried because it also has a Pegasus engine ?! ( OK I admit it's been windy lately, but both aircraft are worth a hell of a lot more of a mention than helicopters ).
Basil Fawlty, your country needs you !
Last edited by Double Zero; 9th May 2009 at 11:26.