At the end of the year
 

The end of the year is typically a time for reflection and so I offer this poem.

It is a mod by my proof reader, Val Bramley, of a well known Anon poem - used by many from Fireman to Victor Crew Chief.

The Harrier stood at the Pearly Gates
So proud, erect and bold
But meekly asked St Peter
For admission to the Fold.

St Peter asked “What have you done
“That I should ring the bell?”
“I was a British Harrier
And served my country well”

The Gates swung quickly open
And there he saw inside
A hundred and more Harriers
With God standing by their side

God smiled widely at him
And clasped him to his breast
“Oh Welcome mighty Harrier
Come take your well-earned rest.”

Nice one John ! But it's sad that such a fine machine has been cut down in its prime .
I remember you flying G-VTOL at Yeovilton in the early 70's , and was very nearly blown over as you took off from your parking spot opposite the old tower ! FANTASTIC MACHINE !! FANTASTIC FLYING !!
Cheers , Grandfer :eek::eek::ok::ok:

hiiii
 

Nice one!!!!

As usual John..spot on....the perfect data..from an enforced departure!:{

If I may join in the reflections?

It is appropriate to remember all those who gave so much, including, sadly, sometimes their lives, in the development of this great machine.

I am proud to have been fortunate enough to be able to fly her, and it is with much sadness - and some considerable surprise - that I see the future without the 'BonaJet'.

Thank you John and all.

I remember as a CCF cadet in the mid 60s visiting West Raynham to see the tripartite squadrom of Kestrels. I didn't realise then, I'd spend a good part of my RAF engineering career with the aircraft. I have a Pegasus LP1 blade on my bookshelf, courtesy of John Bryant and his team at Bristol, and when I look at it, I can still hear the sound of a Harrier touching down on a vertical landing, and feel the vibrations when standing next to a tie down pad in the field.

I stood on the apron at RAE Bedford and watched Bill Bedford do the first conventional flight of the prototype, an amazing sense of occasion.

As featured Here

I spent less than a year as a liney on the GR7. March 99 - Jan '00 i still have great memories of that time, a couple of weeks on lusty amazing experience, the flypasts after the target towing bombing comp were fantastic. Followed by a three month deployment to Goia . I will always have a great affection for " The carbon fibre death provider - eight tonnes of death perfectly balanced on four towers of power " !!!

This account of the development of the Harrier was given by John Farley to the Munich Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2000:

John Farley's Lecture

This seems a good time to reflect again on the hard work and ingenuity that led to a unique aircraft.

Had the honour (after constant "badgering") of being granted a flight in a Harrier whilst being chief Muppet at Deci. Flt. Lt Bremner was my pilot. Absolutely brilliant. Never to be forgotten.:D:O

I was a Flt Sys guy on 3 at Gut in the 70's, Pete Squier, later head of the RAF I think was a Flt Commander at the time. It was indeed an extraordinary aircraft, I remember John doing his famous rotation from the hover to the vertical and climb out. It's amazing to think that it's 50 years this last Nov19th since the prototype achieved free flight. Bit like Bleriot Monoplanes still being in service when Bill Bedford flew the P1127.

Perfect epitaph
 

Wonderful adaptation of the poem John. It was an honour to have flown her and she always kept you sharp, or in the silk... or worse! Wouldn't have had it any other way though. Never did get the chance to say thank you for your company during a dinner at Yeovilton and your sage advice regarding ETP, so thank you! Have a great New Year and I hope 2011 brings you all you wish for. :ok:

ABTE

But the P1127 and its successors had undergone 50 years of continuous development.

I also remember a show-stopping Farley VTO and rocket-ship climb on G-VTOL, providing inspiration and pride in the early days of my career, SBAC 1980. I'm proud to have supported the UK Harrier II fleet from various "back offices" for most of the past 25 years; standing on the shoulders of giants such as Ralph Hooper and Gordon Lewis, and following evangelists like JFF.

Double Zero.

Please re-size your photos. The max on PPRuNe is 850x850.

There plenty of threads to show how to do it.

What steps are the MOD taking to ensure the skills of flying VTOL are not lost?

Mr.Farley at home.
 

G.T, Rough Ground Trials.
 

John,
Loved your "I will land on this French Carrier". [sorry, cannot find the vid link]