Gawd was it really '78 when we had the Harrier ski-jump built? That was the only show between '74 and 2008 where I was not associated with the display programme in some form. If I recall correctly, there was also a grass strip next to the ski jump for the Jaguar to demonstrate it's rough field capability.
Then there was the Pilatus Porter who taxied out for his validation, stopped next to the ski-jump, and asked if he could use it (and he was serious)