‘Christine’ takes a hit
Recent news from RAF Wittering :rolleyes:
RAF Wittering can confirm a civilian vehicle has collided with the Harrier at the main gate whilst approaching the station on the northbound A1. There are no casualties and the matter has been referred to the Civilian Police. Our primary concern is the safety of all road users and the vehicle will be recovered as soon as practicable. There are no live munitions on the aircraft. |
"Christine" is serial ZD469. She has a colourful history of mishaps!
https://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?108535-New-Harrier-on-the-gate-RAF-Wittering&p=1739084#post1739084 https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...703ff3f829.jpg |
I thought Christine was made of Fibreglass? Maybe not'.
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...glad to be reassured that there were no live munitions on-board - any news on the pilot?
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WTF??? How???? How many pints I wonder? |
Originally Posted by aw ditor
(Post 10185246)
I thought Christine was made of Fibreglass? Maybe not'.
PDR |
I have spent many hours attending to Christine after her misfortunes and worked with the guy whose head got trapped when the nose u/c doors shut......he was very lucky and doesn’t remember much of it! When it was (badly) painted up and put on the main gate I remember joking that I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s tie down shackles broke and it rolled out onto the A1! I think I’ll shut up from now on! |
Strangely enough, there is a 'Christine' in the Sentry fleet. Wonder how many other sqn's have a similarly unlucky airframe? |
Interesting from what the insurance company make of this. Rarely do a vehicle have air side insurance and whilst this is obviously not air side, it is on MOD property.
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There was Damion - the Nimrod R1 - XW666. He eventually went for a swim in the Moray Firth! |
(badly) painted |
There was Damion - the Nimrod R1 - XW666. He eventually went for a swim in the Moray Firth! YS |
I heard quite a few 51 mates calling it that but it was 10 years after the swimming lessons :ok: |
What was the story of the head and the nose wheel doors? Sounds like something we could all learn from..... |
ZD469 lost a canopy out in North America in 2002 I do believe. She came back to Cottesmore in the back of a C17. I was involved in her return. She got her revenge on me 2 weeks later (indirectly.. )
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Originally Posted by hunterboy
(Post 10185824)
What was the story of the head and the nose wheel doors? Sounds like something we could all learn from..... |
Originally Posted by Teamchief
(Post 10185539)
I have spent many hours attending to Christine after her misfortunes and worked with the guy whose head got trapped when the nose u/c doors shut......he was very lucky and doesn’t remember much of it! |
Sorry Sitchbitch - I'm not sure how I didn't see your post, but I'm certain it wasn't there when I posted mine :confused:
Anyway, sounds like we are both referring to the same incident - a friend of mine who was the SHASO at Laarbruch at that time he told me the story, so assume it was that jet. This lovely weather we are enjoying at the moment in Central Southern England reminds me of happy summer days in Germany with a cold beer in hand :) |
As Harriers left Laarbruch in 99 I think 97 or 98 would be right. Can’t remember the exact circumstances but the Harrier had a manual opening valve for the nose u/c doors. On shut down the lineys would pull and turn the tee handle that opened the doors. This would allow work in the u/c bay to be carried out. It would stay in this position all the time the a/c was on the ground. It was then part of a see off to check the tee handle was stowed and flush ( our heroes would also check it on their walk around). During maintenance though and doing gear retractions it was quite common to have the doors open with the nose gear retracted to check clearances. In these circumstances door jack gags should have been fitted. I would own up myself though to having retracted the gear, pulled the tee handle for a peer into the bay before resetting it, basically opening then closing the doors. When working on the NWS system there was also a check to steer off, select up and make sure the gear steered to 0 degrees before retracting. In this case the nose u/c ground lock would be fitted to stop the leg actually moving. The thing I can’t remember is whether it was a faulty valve or practice that caused the incident. The valves and their rigging had an issue and caused a number of state 2’s when tee handles that looked flush on take off left the doors open causing a nose gear unlocked indication. I could go on for ages about the through life issues of the door and u/c rigging of the Harrier........but I would bore all other than true Harrier Mafia chaps! One final thing, it’s still criminal that such an iconic aircraft will be missing from the 100 Year Flypast, considering that the USMC are extending the life of theirs due to other platforms shortcomings! |
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