Sea Harrier/"Alraigo"/1983

[BLUE SKY THINKER]

Excuse me venturing into this forum, but can anyone supply me with a LINK to the much publicised photo of Sea Harrier ZA176 after its emergency landing on the Spanish freighter Alraigo in 1983?

Many thanks in anticipation.

[Navaleye]

I remember it well! Not sure their is one any more, targetlock might have some data on the a/c. The pilot was an ex Sea King pilot called "Soapy" Watson. Basically ne suffered a complete nav failure and ended up about 200 miles from his carrier, lost.

I think he got it down with about 400lbs of juice IIRC. If it had been an AV8B it would have landed OK.
The recovery of the plane, then the bits the spanish nicked took quite some time.

[pr00ne]

Could the Spanish crew have claimed salvage rights under international maritime law?

[Navaleye]

Yes they did and got paid too.. Ransom is a better word.

[pr00ne]

Navaleye,

Then in that case they didn't have to give ANY of it back.

[Navaleye]

That's also true, but HMG wanted its year old fun jet back. I think they got about £250k in salvage. The plane was impounded by the Spanish govt, until we coughed up.

[Navaleye]

The a/c concerned is at Newark air museum. The lovely "Alraigo" still sails today. Here she is: old bucket (http://www.spanishshipping.com/fotos/Alraigo.htm).

I have no idea where Soapy's career went fater that - is he still flying, anyone know?