Harrier GR.5 at Red Flag 91-3

[Old Viper Tester]

Red Flag at Nellis AFB Apr-May 1991...

 

Unfortunately, I could only get to the flight line on the weekend, so everything was buttoned up.

 

ZD352, No 1 Squadron, 01

 

ZD375, No 3 Squadron, AO

 

ZD400, No 1 Squadron, 02

 

ZD404, No 1 Squadron, 07

 

ZD405, No 1 Squadron, 12

 

ZD406, No 3 Squadron, AB

 

ZD408, No 1 Squadron , 11

 

ZD411, No 3 Squadron, AG

 

ZD412, No 3 Squadron, AH

 

Thanks for looking

Sven

[exdraken]

Nice time laps!

[Harry Lime]

Thanks for posting, finally have some load out reference pics for GR5's that aren't trials or publicity shots.

 

Mark.

[NG899]

Just found this thread too Sven.  It's rare to see new photos of UK GR.5s, so its excellent to see these; thank you! 

 

I thought you may be interested in the brief aircraft histories as there some famous UK Harriers in the group, plus a couple of losses, after they were upgraded to GR.7 or GR.9 standard (Serial / build number fin code):

 

ZD352 /19 > 19 mission markings from Op Telic. Longest serving GR.9A on Op Herrick, 514 days; with IV(R) Squadron (the OCU) when Joint Force Harrier disbanded in Dec 2010, carrying pilot's name LT HOGG.

ZD375 / 23 > The 20(R) Squadron display aircraft in 2001 with the pale blue fin.

ZD400 / 30 > As a GR.5 crashed near RAF Wittering on 19-May-97; pilot ejected safely.

ZD401 / 31 > With IV(R) Squadron when Joint Force Harrier disbanded in Dec 2010, carrying pilot's name LT CDR FRANCIS.

ZD404 / 33 > As a GR.7A fly on Op Herrick with name 'Lucy' and black female silhouette plus 19x E-Paveway and, 3x 540lb bomb mission markings. Not upgraded to GR.9 standard.

ZD405 / 34 > As a GR.7 flew on Op Warden coded white WC and early onOp Herrick still with the insignia of the Fast Jet Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit on its fin. One of the last GR.9 conversions had yet to fly when JFH disbanded.

ZD406 / 35 > As a GR.7 flew on Op Warden coded white WB.  As a GR.9 carried the Fly Navy 100th Anniversary of UK naval aviation fin markings.

ZD408 / 37 > As a GR.7 flew on Op Warden coded white WK with a huge shark's mouth. Op Telic - 37 and another large shark's mouth, with mission markings. GR.7A coded 37A on Op Herrick it had 4x EPW mission markings applied. Crashed 16-Jun-08 into a field near RAF Cottesmore, pilot ejected safely.

ZD411 / 40 > As a GR.7 used for AGM-65 Maverick trials at NAWS China Lake in May-99 and flew on Op Herrick as a GR.7A coded 40A. Last flying GR.7A with IV(AC) Sqn on 31-Mar-10. Not upgraded to GR.9 standard.

ZD412 / 41 > As GR.5 AH with 3(F) Squadron (s0 in the markings seen) left runway while landing at RAFG Gutersloh, pilot ejected, aircraft ended up in Ems Canal. 

 

Cheers

Nick

[Dave Fleming]

Note the Desert Pink Phimat on ZD411

[Old Viper Tester]

22 hours ago, NG899 said:

I thought you may be interested in the brief aircraft histories as there some famous UK Harriers in the group

Thanks for the info Nick. I've included into my slide descriptions.

 

Sven

Edited September 28, 2017 by Old Viper Tester
Removed extraneous info

[NG899]

Happy to help Sven.

The 'Desert Pink' Phimat is a 'relic' from the RAF's Jaguars which used them in the 1st Gulf War.

Cheers,

Nick