Harrier at Cottesmore, 1600 today.

[Big Sy]

Will they be keeping one on for display's ?

[Flap62]

Will they be keeping one on for display's ?

Almost certainly. Any spares for it will be hand carved by little pixies from unobtanium and as there will no longer be any demineralised water available it will use unicorn tears. The simulator and ocu will be kept open so that the display pilot can do his annual and six monthly checks but will have no other function.

[Yanchik]

820-odd prototypes, 4 production aircraft

I see that Flap 62 has insider knowledge of Harrier series production...

But sad to relate, Kingston was closed by 1994, the Unicorn was put out to Richmond Common, and a few of the pixies that could tolerate the pastoral conditions went down to The Farm. If you watch Top Gear, sometimes you'll see something vanish quickly from the corner of the frame that just might... no - try taking a bit more water with it...

Well, you're reliant on whippet droppings and the Midwest from here on.

"What's the difference between a Pegasus and a Harrier Pilot ?
The Pegasus stops whining when it's been shut down."

Good to see the young Sharkey keeping the tradition alive. Speak up by all means: you're in a fine tradition, that "joke" was old when I first heard it fifteen years back.

Sad times.

Y

[Easy Street]

What are the Harrier crews going to do over the next few months? The run-down to retirement of an aircraft is a risk period from a supervisory point of view and I presume that it's only worth keeping flying to keep the pilots current for further training... but on what? Typhoon/GR4 (enough slots available - probably not?) or F/A-18 with the USN?

[Trim Stab]

What are the Harrier crews going to do over the next few months? The run-down to retirement of an aircraft is a risk period from a supervisory point of view and I presume that it's only worth keeping flying to keep the pilots current for further training... but on what? Typhoon/GR4 (enough slots available - probably not?) or F/A-18 with the USN?

I'm surprised there will even be a run-down period. As you say, historically run-down periods have occasionally lead to accidents, and six months loss of currency is surely not a big deal if going to a new type anyway.

[Wrathmonk]

What are the Harrier crews going to do over the next few months?

I suspect the RAF pilots, certainly at flt lt and below, will be fed into the Typhoon OCU. The next CO of Coningsby, and therefore Typhoon Force Commander, just happens to be ex-Harriers (see last entry in ARAL 07/10). I tell you, it's all a conspiracy and part of the grand scheme to get rid of FW FAA

[SiteIII]

my own meagre efforts

TeeJ

like you, i never had the time to indulge in a hobby whilst in the service. However, new skills to be learned with not only the hardware but software plus the enjoyment of seeing you can capture "that" image.

I've yet to capture "that" image but it won't stop me trying. The fact i may be 300' up CAD West or wherever in the Loop or the lakes just makes it more interesting.

for the guys in the front and back a friendly wave or thumbs up is always appreciated and rarely goes unoticed. I'm sure we'd be more than happy to share the results of our efforts showing the results of yours (Both air and ground crews)