Surviving Harrier airframes
 

Does anyone know how many surviving Harrier airframes there are in the UK , either as gate guardians , future gate guardians , training airframes , in the hands of museums or about go for scrap or fire practice ?
Are there any already in private hands ?

There are around 120 Harrier and Sea Harriers dotted around UK plus quite a few overseas. Some are in private hands. A rough break down is
7 x P1127
1 x Kestrel
1 x T2
43 x GR3
8 x T4
2 x GR5
4 x GR7
4 x T8
5 x GR9
3 x T10
1 x T52
41 x SHah
Source, www.demobbed.org.uk

There's a thread covering this over on keypublishing mate.


Clicky linky thingy

Or theres this site

Demobbed - Out of Service British Military Aircraft

Not from Taiwan are you, by any chance? ;)

No - he's really Navy and has been detailed to quietly find something to replace the ever-receding F-35. A bit like a Navy friend of mine years ago who was detailed to quietly go around trying to find AS Mambas because they were running out of spares.

The F35 was so named as that is the year it is hoped to be fully functional.

They may be a lot of Harriers about, but does anyone know if it would be even possible to get one that has been in a museum for years to fly again

'They may be a lot of Harriers about, but does anyone know if it would be even possible to get one that has been in a museum for years to fly again'

In terms of fitting the necessary kit and switching it all on - yes :ok:

Doing that with an appropriately signed paperwork trail - no :(

There is also a live GR3 in the UK in private hands..

here you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKqbGglRxE8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvsfyuW9Rjw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAk7GQzqxag

The caa are freaking out about hunters...can't even imagine the response to the harrier in private hands. Especially withe elderly gentlemen who could fly them putting their hips as the Stana takes them into the cockpit.

The faa only agreed to art nails as he is an ex test God with serious hours and even a number of hours dead stick time!

As it does not fly it does not come under the CAA remit so they are not interested, the same was said when the Victor got airborne.

Nut loose apologies I was referring to flying not use as leaf / grass / ice / snow blower

He is however importing a Tbird and training the next generation of Civilian Pilots ( Ex Military ) to fly the Harriers.

Art Nalls to import an airworthy Harrier T8 jump jet trainer to the USA

It just puts the UK regularity authorities to shame, but very well done Nalls for looking after historic aviation.

CAA = Campaign Against Aviation :ugh:

There are a fair number of Sea Harriers at RNAS Culdrose, and a few are maintained in running condition for ground taxis. Theoretically, should the power limiter be removed, they could be made airworthy.

Don't know if you still can but I took an tour of Culdrose (go to the visitors centre/ view area with ID) which consisted of being taken round on a bus.

The highlight was the deck handling school where there are a number of Harriers. We were allowed to get off the bus and get very close to the beasts, but not go in the hangar.

The other highlight was the Hawk maintenance hangar which we were allowed to walk round and have a look in a cockpit.

The RN has rather a good history of keeping retired aeroplanes away from the prying eyes of officialdom...

Back in the early 1960s, wasn't there an Avenger or a Martlet / Wildcat somewhere up in Scotland that the stone frigate's captain kept safely hidden away?

sunnybunny: Since the FAA Museum closed down the viewing enclosure shop :mad: the tours no longer run. However, proper enthusiasts tours of Culdrose are run by a number of aviation groups, and these allow very good access with photography permitted in most areas.

And yes, the Hellcat on display in the FAAM at Yeovilton was used as the Captain's personal aircraft at Lossiemouth up until the late 1950s at least.

Oh crap.

How do I resize images?