Harrier Last Flight (Merged)
Out of Trim:
To keep them in any sort of readiness state would take almost as many technicians and support as it takes to keep them flying.
And if we pulled them out at short notice who the hell would fly them? Blackadder and the 20 minuters comes to mind, in fact I'd bet on it being nearer 5!
To keep them in any sort of readiness state would take almost as many technicians and support as it takes to keep them flying.
And if we pulled them out at short notice who the hell would fly them? Blackadder and the 20 minuters comes to mind, in fact I'd bet on it being nearer 5!
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Guys I'm going to miss you over Wigtown Bay. Sad to think I'll never hear the Pegasus roar again. Thanks from the little kid who'se first memory of a warplane is a GR3 at Wittering - and who'se latest is seeing that last RN Harrier land on ARKR.
It was a pleasure to meet a few of you the other week in Ark. Sad to think certain pubs of Stamford (and wardrooms) will no longer hear your stories.
I am a civvy so have no business posting here.
Dan.
It was a pleasure to meet a few of you the other week in Ark. Sad to think certain pubs of Stamford (and wardrooms) will no longer hear your stories.
I am a civvy so have no business posting here.
Dan.
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Forgive them nothing.
Oh I think they know very well what they are doing.
At some point the country will wake up and give the government of the day a clear mandate to re-arm the forces. This will of course involve building more aircraft which will be tarted up with the promise of British jobs but no matter what they buy, there will be a way for the UK defence industry to be part of it.
Engines or avionics or assembly, you can bet that at some point our current and recently ex lords and masters will have a finger in the till of whatever company gets that deal.
Why keep aircraft that have been paid for when you can make the MOD buy new stuff from your next employer?
At some point the country will wake up and give the government of the day a clear mandate to re-arm the forces. This will of course involve building more aircraft which will be tarted up with the promise of British jobs but no matter what they buy, there will be a way for the UK defence industry to be part of it.
Engines or avionics or assembly, you can bet that at some point our current and recently ex lords and masters will have a finger in the till of whatever company gets that deal.
Why keep aircraft that have been paid for when you can make the MOD buy new stuff from your next employer?
Nemesis of the Proot Dynasty
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I vividly remember being one of a party of 92nd Entry Halton Apprentices on a visit to Duxford in 1959 (just possibly, 1960). We were treated to a flight of one of the prototypes. When I say ‘flight’, I exaggerate! In fact its maximum altitude possible, was about 6 feet, since it was tethered to the pan by four ruddy great chains! Still, very impressive all the same.
To keep them in any sort of readiness state would take almost as many technicians and support as it takes to keep them flying.
Err, no. They're not. Whilst a proportion are in storage to balance airframe hours, the vast majority are in parts reclaim status or there to be scrapped.
As others have posted, even those that are regenerated from Davis-Monthan take months and that's where there are aircrew and maintainers trained, certified and ready to use them. Re-creating the corporate knowledge, once stood down takes years.
Out of Trim - plan B was deferred as a savings measure.........
As others have posted, even those that are regenerated from Davis-Monthan take months and that's where there are aircrew and maintainers trained, certified and ready to use them. Re-creating the corporate knowledge, once stood down takes years.
Out of Trim - plan B was deferred as a savings measure.........
I may be wrong but the last time the RAF tried balancing ac hours was with Lightnings at Binbrook when I was on Lightning Augmentation Flight (LAF). About 50 of us looked after around 20 ac in various states of storage that were rotated thought 5, 11 and LTF. Most of the airframes never flew again although many man hours was spent on their upkeep. Storing a jet ac is not the same as putting your classic car up on jacks in the garage I'm afraid.
I vividly remember being one of a party of 92nd Entry Halton Apprentices on a visit to Duxford in 1959 (just possibly, 1960). We were treated to a flight of one of the prototypes.
Rhys.
Some images of the Harrier camouflage scheme from yesterday.
DSC_0224HARRIERZG506COTTESM by llihmot, on Flickr
0045HARRIERGR9COTTESMORE13D by llihmot, on Flickr
DSC_0161HARRIERZG50613DEC10 by llihmot, on Flickr
DSC_0153HARRIERSUNSETCR by llihmot, on Flickr
TJ
DSC_0224HARRIERZG506COTTESM by llihmot, on Flickr
0045HARRIERGR9COTTESMORE13D by llihmot, on Flickr
DSC_0161HARRIERZG50613DEC10 by llihmot, on Flickr
DSC_0153HARRIERSUNSETCR by llihmot, on Flickr
TJ
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FLYPAST
Harrier fly past rehearsal today.
Not sure of complete timings but overflying Wyton between 1445 and 1455
(confirmed).
Not sure of complete timings but overflying Wyton between 1445 and 1455
(confirmed).
Last edited by philrigger; 14th Dec 2010 at 11:31. Reason: Confirmation of timings
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Harrier Fly Past
16 ship Harrier fly past of RAF stations today. I'd like to say it is was good value for money, however the value is sentimental (hardly justifiable) and not helped by the flypast happening 4 minutes early, whereby most people missed it.
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iRaven
I'm afraid quoting post SDSR MOD 'lines to take' doesn't quite cut it with me or the rest of those in favour of the 'capability' argument winner.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one....
I'm afraid quoting post SDSR MOD 'lines to take' doesn't quite cut it with me or the rest of those in favour of the 'capability' argument winner.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one....
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Well, I hope the CO's fund picked up the tab for some tinnies for the painters.
Great Job.
I wish them well for the future.
[this REALLY sux, doesn't it]
Great Job.
I wish them well for the future.
[this REALLY sux, doesn't it]