Any thought on Sea Harriers? Were they in the area/on the exercise??
The Sea Harriers was based on a carrier in the Ofoten fjord, which is another 60 NM to the SW of Bardufoss.
From what personel here remember, the Harrier that landed at Bardufoss sustained the damage when one wing landing gear collapsed during towing. (no gear pins)
Another thing, is that the Harrier landed with ordonance on board. This means that it made a ground stop at Bardufoss for arming after departing Tromsoe, not departing to the NE like some radar operator states 20 years later.