Article on the Harrier from 1969

[jetblast01]

Hi all

One of the journals I work with has posted an article from 1969 which explains the introduction of the Harrier, historical background and much more:

EmeraldInsight (http://emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/eb034581)

Hope you find it interesting! :cool::ok:

[cyclic35]

Many thanks JB01. Have been reading John Farley's "A View from the Hover". The data from your post is well received.:ok:

[jetblast01]

Here's a foreword the great man himself provided for the journal:

John Farley OBE AFC CEng began a five-year student engineering apprenticeship at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Farnborough in 1950.

He first flew the P.1127 in 1964 while a test pilot and then spent 19 years contributing to the development of the Harrier, retiring as Chief Test Pilot BAe Dunsfold. He has been an Editorial Advisory Board member for Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology since 2003.

When Tom Frost wrote the article The Hawker P. 1127/Bristol Siddeley Pegasus Combination originally back in 1962 he could hardly have expected that the aircraft and engine combination would have been so successfully developed. Nor could he have expected that it would be used by six nations and seven air arms around the world and still be hard at it 49 years later.

In all about 830 aircraft were delivered to the RAF, USMC, Spanish Navy, Royal Navy, Indian Navy, Italian Navy and Thai Navy and, apart from the RAF and Royal Navy, it is still in service.

I knew Tom well and after I joined the programme in 1964 he and I worked for the engine and airframe companies for many happy years together.

Although the name Harrier did not change from its introduction into the RAF in 1969 until today, the engine was developed from the original P.1127 powerplant of some 10,000 lb thrust to over 24,000 in later years. The airframe grew accordingly and the latest versions carry a fuel and weapon load greater than the original aircraft weight! That just shows what development stretch is possible (as with any product) given a sound original concept – something all engineers appreciate.