Lepus Flare Colours

[NG899]

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

[Dave Fleming]

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.

[Enzo the Magnificent]

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.

[Test Graham]

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.

[NG899]

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

[goose]

trying to get an image of what they look like but cant any pointers?

[Dave Fleming]

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

[NG899]

Thanks Dave, check. Nice and white!

Now to work out which station they were carried on... C/L or outer pylons?

Cheers,

Nick

[Dave Fleming]

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

[PHIL B]

I have a DVD entitled Harrier which includes trials film of a Lepus flare release from a SHAR1. The flare is white overall.

Phil.