Last Harrier Flight from HMS ARK ROYAL

[Aim between the eyes]

glad rag,

That will mainly not be happening owing to the Harrier not flying in the Battle of Britain mate...

[Thone1]

Today I´ve taken a few pictures of her sailing down the Elbe towards Hamburg. Unfortunatly I cannot attach files to my posts (yet?).

I hope, no I´m sure, the crew will have a great time there.

Cheers,

Thomas

[John Farley]

Aim

Interesting point

But if that was the criteria wot about the BBMF's Chipmunk, DC3 and Lancaster?

[AV8tour]

Was driving past Yeovilton this afternoon (1400ish) and saw the 4 GR's that departed Ark Royal yesterday getting airborne from HMS HERON for Cott. Pure fluke on my part but great to have seen the last (tbc) JFH jets depart Yeovs.

BTW, regarding the Harrier II+ thread and AMRAAM somewhere else in this forum, remember folks that the integration and OT&E was done for the Italians and not the USMC.

Ciao

[The Helpful Stacker]

But if that was the criteria wot about the BBMF's Chipmunk, DC3 and Lancaster?

Pilots who have been brought up on a diet of tricycle undercarriaged aircraft need to learn how handle a tail-dragger. The Chippy is a tail-dragging trainer so very suitable to the task or do you suggest letting new pilots to the BBMF loose on their own in a high-performance, single seat aircraft?

The DC3 is likewise used to provide new pilots with experience handling a large, multi-engined tail dragger before letting them loose on one of only two airworthy Lancaster bombers left flying.

But I'm sure an experienced, air-minded person such as yourself doesn't need an ex-stacker to explain this sort of stuff.

The Lancaster? Yes its not strictly a Battle of Britain aircraft and hence, when it joined the Battle Of Britain Flight in 1973, the extra word 'Memorial' was added to the unit's name. Up until that point the Lancaster had been operated by 44 Sqn from RAF Waddington but it was deemed more sensible to have one unit operating all the RAF's historic aircraft.

[Seaking93]

Was driving past Yeovilton this afternoon (1400ish) and saw the 4 GR's that departed Ark Royal yesterday getting airborne from HMS HERON for Cott. Pure fluke on my part but great to have seen the last (tbc) JFH jets depart Yeovs.

4 different aircraft actually, the 4 from Ark returned to Cotts, sad to think will not see a Harrier over VL again, thanks for the memories chaps

[akerosid]

A sad day indeed, particularly for all those involved in the Harrier, in whatever role. Few aircraft can be described as iconic, but the Harrier certainly is one. I think it is a decision that will come to be regretted before too long.

JetPhotos.Net Photo » ZG512 (CN: P83) United Kingdom - Royal Air Force (RAF) British Aerospace Harrier GR.9 by John Fitzpatrick

[Stitchbitch]

BBMF stand as a memorial to all who have lost their lives in RAF service, not just WW.2, but right up to the present day. So a Harrier isn't too far fetched, however...as the boss is a Jag man..
Also, a puffer jet probably costs a wee bit more per hour than a Spit. And you'd have to have special flaps on yer boots

[david parry]

Think there will be a final flypast on December 15th?? dont know where yet!!! by the Harriers ( will find out more and keep you posted) maybe someone else on the Thread might know more?

[Double Zero]

Flypast, 15th December

Yes, heard about that too; at a Harrier base beginning with 'C'.

I was told the plan is to get everything possible up.

[Mechta]

Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I do wonder if our government have been 'leaned-on' to get rid of the Harrier a la Miles M52 and TSR2, so that in years to come V/STOL can be portrayed in Hollywood as an all-American idea...

One of those marathon Discovery programmes a while back would have had you believe it was all down to McD.

BTW, Does anyone know why a three-ship Harrier formation did a Farnborough flypast a couple of weeks ago, followed by a singleton the following week? Obviously RAE Farnborough and NGTE Pyestock (next door) had a big part to play in the development, and I just wondered, who or what this might have been to acknowledge in particular.

[david parry]

Also, which i think you all know?? 4 Harrier /Flypast overhead HMS Ark Royal as she enters Pompey for the last time 3rd December ? Reminds me of our last farewell

[Al R]

Re:#29.

The local rag is reporting that there will be a flypast over Stamford and Oakham on the 15th. 16 jets, timings tbc.

[F3sRBest]

BTW, Does anyone know why a three-ship Harrier formation did a Farnborough flypast a couple of weeks ago, followed by a singleton the following week? Obviously RAE Farnborough and NGTE Pyestock (next door) had a big part to play in the development, and I just wondered, who or what this might have been to acknowledge in particular.

The BAE Systems Harrier team is based at Farnborough.....

[The Helpful Stacker]

Perhaps a fly-over of Hucknall Airfield would be apt?

[RileyDove]

I saw 16 Harriers in a mass hover at Wittering in the 1990s-perhaps the temptation is there to do it again as its bloody impressive!

[Mechta]

The BAE Systems Harrier team is based at Farnborough.....

Silly me, I hadn't thought of that!

I saw 16 Harriers in a mass hover at Wittering in the 1990s-perhaps the temptation is there to do it again as its bloody impressive!

Do the mass hover over the House of Commons; if they're going to take the toys away anyway...

[david parry]

ARK entering Pompey for the first time 25 years ago

[Finningley Boy]

Do the mass hover over the House of Commons; if they're going to take the toys away anyway...

Yes, then let them run out of fuel eject and leave them to drop in the Thames. Disposed of at the same time! Job Done.

FB

[draken55]

Heres another of Arks' arrival. Great idea to have the Stringbag on deck and thanks to David Hobbs for that.

Does anyone remember Sam Fox prancing around the ship miming to her "single" for a BBC broadcast that day?