The "Harrier" Final days PHOTO. Tribute. (Set 1 of 3)
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How Very, Very, Sad
OPF
Thanks for a great set of farewell images. Excellent tribute to a great machine.
Let's hope we don't have to project fixed wing airpower to anywhere that is hard to get at because without this capability we will find it rather difficult.
Happiness should still be vectored thrust!!
Thanks for a great set of farewell images. Excellent tribute to a great machine.
Let's hope we don't have to project fixed wing airpower to anywhere that is hard to get at because without this capability we will find it rather difficult.
Happiness should still be vectored thrust!!
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The Harrier “Final” Days
I’ll use the adjective as the excuse for these three from March 2010. Eighth of, to be exact, as the then-OC IV (AC) Squadron, Wing Commander Harv Smyth acknowledges the camera while taxying GR9 ZG859 from JHC Aldergrove’s dispersal to the threshold of rwy 07 -
for this STO with BFS passenger terminal as the backdrop.
To my almost certain knowledge it marked the final departure of the type from the NI base. Apt, as the Wg Cdr is an Ulsterman.
Here, against the light, he bids farewell.
for this STO with BFS passenger terminal as the backdrop.
To my almost certain knowledge it marked the final departure of the type from the NI base. Apt, as the Wg Cdr is an Ulsterman.
Here, against the light, he bids farewell.
Sad to see the premature demise of the 'bona jet' - but what excellent photos.
The first photo of mine which AFM ever published was of the then new GR5 over the Alps as we trailed it to the Dubai airshow in 1989. The jet stole the show - and we did a pairs take-off from the parallel runways on the way home! I flew the VC10K2 and the late Chris Moran flew the GR5 - as soon as we were airborne he tucked in and off we went to Akrotiri. At least I think it was Chris; it might have been John Baynton.
We'd asked permission to take the press flying on a simple AAR trip with the GR5 during the show, but needless to say 'they' said no!
I just hope that someone will take the sane decision to keep the remaining Harriers well-preserved and in potentially airworthy condition. Because sure as eggs are eggs, the Government's crass decision will prove to have been unsound before too many months have passed....
The first photo of mine which AFM ever published was of the then new GR5 over the Alps as we trailed it to the Dubai airshow in 1989. The jet stole the show - and we did a pairs take-off from the parallel runways on the way home! I flew the VC10K2 and the late Chris Moran flew the GR5 - as soon as we were airborne he tucked in and off we went to Akrotiri. At least I think it was Chris; it might have been John Baynton.
We'd asked permission to take the press flying on a simple AAR trip with the GR5 during the show, but needless to say 'they' said no!
I just hope that someone will take the sane decision to keep the remaining Harriers well-preserved and in potentially airworthy condition. Because sure as eggs are eggs, the Government's crass decision will prove to have been unsound before too many months have passed....
I've probably been taking the "thicky pills" but never did understand why it was called 'the bona jet' - was it made up by the same people who make up their own nicknames because their current one isn't cool?
'Jumping Bean' - yup
'Plastic Pig' - yup
'Jump Jet Fanny and Her Hawker Siddeley Tw@t" - yup
'Whistling Sh!tcan" - yup
'Jump Jet' - yup
'Leaping Heap' - yup
But 'Bona'? Sorry I'm at a loss...
iRaven
'Jumping Bean' - yup
'Plastic Pig' - yup
'Jump Jet Fanny and Her Hawker Siddeley Tw@t" - yup
'Whistling Sh!tcan" - yup
'Jump Jet' - yup
'Leaping Heap' - yup
But 'Bona'? Sorry I'm at a loss...
iRaven
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Could this provide the answer?
YouTube - Kenneth Williams, Keep Britain Bona
Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Williams and Kenneth Horne,
From "Round the Horne" BBC Radio, circa 1970 something.
YouTube - Kenneth Williams, Keep Britain Bona
Hugh Paddick, Kenneth Williams and Kenneth Horne,
From "Round the Horne" BBC Radio, circa 1970 something.
iRaven
No idea either but I have heard "Flying Tea Trolley" and "Nozzley-Nozzley Jet".
LJ
PPS For the Argies it was "la Muerta Negra" (the Black Death) referring to the Charcoal Grey Camouflage on SHARs
No idea either but I have heard "Flying Tea Trolley" and "Nozzley-Nozzley Jet".
LJ
PPS For the Argies it was "la Muerta Negra" (the Black Death) referring to the Charcoal Grey Camouflage on SHARs
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 7th Jan 2011 at 21:07.
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Harrier Over 650?
It's a shame we didn't have a few GRs as top cover/cas over Xmg
Hello iRaven - the term bonajet was already in use in the early 70s when I joined. I always thought that it came from Round the Horne with Julian and Sandy.
Julian and Sandy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bona was a Polari word that they attached to loads of items. As to the moment of its birth in the Harrier world, you'd probably need someone from the start in 69. I bet it was Whartie or Keith H.
Julian and Sandy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bona was a Polari word that they attached to loads of items. As to the moment of its birth in the Harrier world, you'd probably need someone from the start in 69. I bet it was Whartie or Keith H.
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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I'll hazard a guess - 'Bona' as in 'Good' (Latin) and as used by the two straight guys, Julian and Sandy, and I think 'coined' by the venerable 'Hoof' well before my time on the jet (bona) to reflect what fun it was and what a breath of fresh air to those who had flown only 'conventional' jets.. I suspect it were originated in No1(Balloon) Sqn and was certainly in use in the early 70's. I'm sure JF will know better!
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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BOAC
Sorry I cannot add anything. At the time one became aware of the term it seemed perfectly reasonable and just squadron usage.
Bit like wet jet was used before SHAR became the norm.
Bit like wet jet was used before SHAR became the norm.
Chaps
Many thanks, that's another gap in my knowledge of aviation filled. I guess the reason "Why Bona?" wasn't widely known as it didn't fit in with the macho FJ pilot image of the 70s and 80s (Polari being a predominantly Gay slang language used mainly by homosexuals in Soho in London during the 60s).
Neptunus - thanks for the pointer, but you were too subtle for me!
iRaven
PS - I guess the Harrier can 'come out of the closet' now as it perfectly acceptable these days...
Many thanks, that's another gap in my knowledge of aviation filled. I guess the reason "Why Bona?" wasn't widely known as it didn't fit in with the macho FJ pilot image of the 70s and 80s (Polari being a predominantly Gay slang language used mainly by homosexuals in Soho in London during the 60s).
Neptunus - thanks for the pointer, but you were too subtle for me!
iRaven
PS - I guess the Harrier can 'come out of the closet' now as it perfectly acceptable these days...
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
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Polari being a predominantly Gay slang language used mainly by homosexuals in Soho in London during the 60s
Polari is explained here: Polari - British gay slang
Use by Bona Mates of what appeared to be exclusive terminology did attract the odd caricature from outsiders, such a the supposed reference to a good social event as a Napoleon (a bona party).
Use by Bona Mates of what appeared to be exclusive terminology did attract the odd caricature from outsiders, such a the supposed reference to a good social event as a Napoleon (a bona party).
