PICTURES: UK Harriers to make final operational flights today

Flightglobal.com ^ | 15/12/10 | Craig Hoyle

[A.A. Cunningham]

Photograph: Jamie Hunter/PA

Photograph: Jamie Hunter/PA

[tanknetter]

What are they switching to?

USMC AV-8Bs. Piloted by US Marines.

Seriously. There have been a number of cross-decking operations in the last year or two with USMC Harriers and the RN Invincible CVLs (and at least one with V-22s). The Brits don't expect that, until the QE-class CVs enter service, they'll need to operate fixed-wing aircraft off their own carrier (singular now, since Ark is going away with the GR.9s) except in joint US/Anglo operations where Marine Harriers can be embarked.

More info here , here (requires subscription to view full content) and here.

[Tommyjo]

It was a very sad day at RAF Cottesmore. A few snaps from the disbandment display practice sessions.

[sukhoi-30mki]

I’ve always been puzzled by why the UK chose to go for two distinct variants-navy/air force rather than something more versatile as the AV-8B, which still remains in service and won more exports.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Thanks for your pics though-awesome as usual!!

[Tommyjo]

Thanks for the comment on the images.

As per usual in the UK we like to do things differently and not always for the best! The Sea Harrier was basically a variant straight from the Harrier GR3 airframe and obviously designed before the McDonnell Douglas collaboration. Rather than discard the Sea Harrier FRS.1 we went for an upgrade to FA2 with AMRAAM.

It worked well, but the limiting factor was the lack of space to integrate the later uprated Pegasus engines as fitted to Harrier GR9s. In hindsight we should have built the radar equipped AV-8B. With the upgraded Pegasus it would have been a great multi-role platform.

[M Kehoe]

Good evening. I enjoy your posts.

5.56mm

[Alas Babylon!]

Farewell, little brothers!

[sukhoi-30mki]

Thanxx for the encouragement.

[A.A. Cunningham]