RIP Harrier Jump Jet

[Supervox]

A totally ridiculous decision

For those who may be interested, HERE are some stunning pics of the Harrier flying - taken only a couple of days ago - so these may be the last 'public' pics of this incredible machine.

Treacle - especially for you HERE

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Supervox

A totally ridiculous decision

For those who may be interested, HERE are some stunning pics of the Harrier flying - taken only a couple of days ago - so these may be the last 'public' pics of this incredible machine.

Treacle - especially for you HERE

Well, that's had me properly tearing up here again...thank goodness I don't work in an office! This plane, along with the Vulcan is like my childhood with my dad all wrapped up!

I'm taking him to S. Africa for a flight in a Lightning next year (when it's flying again) and that's his favourite. I truly cannot wait!

Originally Posted by Supervox

A totally ridiculous decision

For those who may be interested, HERE are some stunning pics of the Harrier flying - taken only a couple of days ago - so these may be the last 'public' pics of this incredible machine.

Treacle - especially for you HERE

Stunning pics, Cant take away that its a great looking machine!

[Bri w]

The Harrier out of date?

So where is an aircraft that covers the same capabilities? No doubt other are quicker, and carry a bigger payload but can they take off from your back garden?

Just coz its 40 odd years old doesn't mean its past its sell by date.

I was originally designed many thousands of year ago. And in the current varient, built in 1958. Since that date I've undergone a number of changes, most recently being the ability to carry a bigger payload internally. Hairodynamics continue to be streamlined, and are undergoing a colour change. Sadly both sonar and radar appear to be failing although Specsavers have gone some way to maintaining the radar, and Johnson's cottonbuds are used with limited success on the sonar.

And finally, I'd like to think I'll still be in service in 2040 but you never quite know when the scrapman will call.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Bri w

The Harrier out of date?

So where is an aircraft that covers the same capabilities? No doubt other are quicker, and carry a bigger payload but can they take off from your back garden?

Just coz its 40 odd years old doesn't mean its past its sell by date.

I was originally designed many thousands of year ago. And in the current varient, built in 1958. Since that date I've undergone a number of changes, most recently being the ability to carry a bigger payload internally. Hairodynamics continue to be streamlined, and are undergoing a colour change. Sadly both sonar and radar appear to be failing although Specsavers have gone some way to maintaining the radar, and Johnson's cottonbuds are used with limited success on the sonar.

And finally, I'd like to think I'll still be in service in 2040 but you never quite know when the scrapman will call.

I just love that whole post!

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Bri w

The Harrier out of date?

So where is an aircraft that covers the same capabilities? No doubt other are quicker, and carry a bigger payload but can they take off from your back garden?

Just coz its 40 odd years old doesn't mean its past its sell by date.

I was originally designed many thousands of year ago. And in the current varient, built in 1958. Since that date I've undergone a number of changes, most recently being the ability to carry a bigger payload internally. Hairodynamics continue to be streamlined, and are undergoing a colour change. Sadly both sonar and radar appear to be failing although Specsavers have gone some way to maintaining the radar, and Johnson's cottonbuds are used with limited success on the sonar.

And finally, I'd like to think I'll still be in service in 2040 but you never quite know when the scrapman will call.

Haha u've cheered me up bri

Originally Posted by Jimmy2Feet

the F35 (i.e the joint strike fighter) to all the above, it also has a top end speed of mach 1.6, stealth ability, plus much more i am sure. that along side the euro fighter i think will be a great combo.

However they should have kept the arch royal and the harriers until the new carriers and the f.35's are build and available to us!!

Simples!

The F-35C which the UK is now getting is NOT VSTOL. The order was previously for the F-35B which functions much like a Harrier. There's not much need for air superiority (as per the EuroFighter) in current wars, the Taliban doesn't have a force of MiG-29s to send against us. Strike aircraft like the F-35 and Rafale are much more useful.

Also, the Ark Royal has two sister ships, one of which is still in active service as I understand it.

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by Bri w

The Harrier out of date?

So where is an aircraft that covers the same capabilities? No doubt other are quicker, and carry a bigger payload but can they take off from your back garden?

Just coz its 40 odd years old doesn't mean its past its sell by date.

I was originally designed many thousands of year ago. And in the current varient, built in 1958. Since that date I've undergone a number of changes, most recently being the ability to carry a bigger payload internally. Hairodynamics continue to be streamlined, and are undergoing a colour change. Sadly both sonar and radar appear to be failing although Specsavers have gone some way to maintaining the radar, and Johnson's cottonbuds are used with limited success on the sonar.

And finally, I'd like to think I'll still be in service in 2040 but you never quite know when the scrapman will call.

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

I just love that whole post!

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

Haha u've cheered me up bri

I thang you. we're here all week

If the Harrier is 40 years old, then the Porsche 911 is 46 years old. S**t compared to modern sportscars those 911's aren't they

Originally Posted by metalangel

The F-35C which the UK is now getting is NOT VSTOL. The order was previously for the F-35B which functions much like a Harrier. There's not much need for air superiority (as per the EuroFighter) in current wars, the Taliban doesn't have a force of MiG-29s to send against us. Strike aircraft like the F-35 and Rafale are much more useful.

Also, the Ark Royal has two sister ships, one of which is still in active service as I understand it.

the f 35 series is a good peice of kit (i know we build them here) but it wont be rolled out for ages , and the harrier was not used for air superiority it was used as a ground assalt aircraft to assist troops on the ground. which it did a cracking job at, now we are using the euro fighter to do all roles ,which it can do but not up to the same standard as the harrier (again euro fighter is good kit also built here)
now if we had more apachies to fill the ground assistance role the mothballing would make sence, but alas we dont ,so in real terms we have lost (guestamation) about 20% combat effectiveness when it come to air ground operations
should have waited till the f35 was live

imho