NG899 Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Hi, Despite seeing several black and white photos of these flares being carried on early Development Build Harriers, I've never been able to track down what colour they actually were. Black, dark green or dark blue seem the likeliest options but can anyone please confirm for sure? Many thanks, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 The current Def Standard specifies aircraft carried illuminating flares should be white overall, but allows for that to be changed if required for camouflage purposes (Def Stan 00810 Pt 11). This post on PPRune seems to confirm white: http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/264...tml#post3132501 Drill versions are (and were) Deep Saxe Blue, and I wonder if that was the colour you see on the DB aircraft (e.g. XV277 in the mason book) - that's certainly the colour of the ones in the 'The harrier can carry all these bombs' armament layout shots. Pretty sure you can see some white Lepus stored on the on-deck armoury on Hermes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 The current Def Standard specifies aircraft carried illuminating flares should be white overall, but allows for that to be changed if required for camouflage purposes (Def Stan 00810 Pt 11). This post on PPRune seems to confirm white: http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/264...tml#post3132501 Drill versions are (and were) Deep Saxe Blue, and I wonder if that was the colour you see on the DB aircraft (e.g. XV277 in the mason book) - that's certainly the colour of the ones in the 'The harrier can carry all these bombs' armament layout shots. Pretty sure you can see some white Lepus stored on the on-deck armoury on Hermes. The final operational rounds in service were Deep Bronze Green with a white role band. As you mention above, this was no doubt because they were intended for external carriage on aircraft with wrap-around camouflage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 The ones I saw at Dunsfold 1969/70 were deep blue: the ones I on my (service Harrier) model a little while later were RAF Dark Green. Perhaps they should have been Deep Bronze Green: that I can't say for it was a long time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG899 Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 Thank you all for the info so far. So, it's possible that RN ones used by the SHAR Sqns were white - as per SHARs' original white undersides - while any RAF Harrier Sqn ones would be Deep Bronze Green, yes? (Off to trawl through my umpteen Harrier books for Hermes deck shots. The problem's been I've been looking out for a dark shape rather than a white one!) Cheers, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 trying to get an image of what they look like but cant any pointers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Nick, If you have the 3rd Edition of Francis Mason's 'Harrier' book, have a look at the photo on pages 138/9. On the right hand page, immediately in front of the deck tractor is a 1000lb bomb, in front of that is a Lepus in a cradle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG899 Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Thanks Dave, check. Nice and white! Now to work out which station they were carried on... C/L or outer pylons? Cheers, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 (edited) Depends if you beleive Sharkey or not when he said about arming missiles when launching the mission!! But I can't recall ever seeing a double pylon on the centre line, and he flew that mission with two flares Edited January 12, 2010 by Dave Fleming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHIL B Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 I have a DVD entitled Harrier which includes trials film of a Lepus flare release from a SHAR1. The flare is white overall. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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