Harrier Disbandment NEW photos

[rafrobbo]

Hi Folks,

here are some more I took today of all 4 colour jets at Cottesmore. They all went up together for a photo shoot and there was even a little late winter sunshine. The camouflaged jet should have had tail art but it was a large sticker that didn't look like it would take too well so its just the harrier dates down the leading edge now.

Now this may be a little controversial but why are we getting rid of such a capable and unique jet that can do a short conventional landing of a few hundred feet, lift back up in a hover:-

Then bow to the people in the control tower:-

Select gear up, turn 180 degrees:-

Throttle up and vector its nozzles to pull up and climb away from a standing start:-

Finally coming back round to land:-

I help fix them and I can't work it out but there are alot of upset people on Cottesmore and Wittering. They still have plenty of life in their bones.

If enough people are interested I will post a walkround of the camo jet. Easy enough for modellers to paint without buying specialist decals as the stencils are standard GR7/9 and the camo is almost exactly the GR1 scheme.

I can post all over views/pics to get every angle right, just add a comment if you want to see them as it will take a little time and I will need to upgrade my photo account!!

Edited December 14, 2010 by rafrobbo

[Harrierpilot]

Hi Folks,

here are some more I took today of all 4 colour jets at Cottesmore. They all went up together for a photo shoot and there was even a little late winter sunshine. The camouflaged jet should have had tail art but it was a large sticker that didn't look like it would take too well so its just the harrier dates down the leading edge now.

Now this may be a little controversial but why are we getting rid of such a capable and unique jet that can do a short conventional landing of a few hundred feet, lift back up in a hover:-

Then bow to the people in the control tower:-

Select gear up, turn 180 degrees:-

Throttle up and vector its nozzles to pull up and climb away from a standing start:-

Finally coming back round to land:-

I help fix them and I can't work it out but there are alot of upset people on Cottesmore and Wittering. They still have plenty of life in their bones.

If enough people are interested I will post a walkround of the camo jet. Easy enough for modellers to paint without buying specialist decals as the stencils are standard GR7/9 and the camo is almost exactly the GR1 scheme.

I can post all over views/pics to get every angle right, just add a comment if you want to see them as it will take a little time and I will need to upgrade my photo account!!

I would love to see the walk round images to help with a 1/48th scale kit I have just put on my work board for someone I know.

I'm going to realy miss this jet

[daz greenwood]

Yeah nice shots.

But why do you have to quote the previous post with all the photos we've seen before?

[Chris Hewitt]

super photos ,what a sad day, only history will show what stupid decision the govt have made

[Stephen]

Great photos,thanks for posting them.

Stephen

[AnonymousAA72]

Great Pic's thanks for posting....

What a waste!

Sigh!!!!

[jenko]

Great Pic's thanks for posting....

What a waste!

Sigh!!!!

Says it all

Looks like the lunatics have finally taken over the asylum

[jimbuna]

Thanks for posting....I'd love to see more pictures

[spike7451]

Nice pictures mate...I really hope this decision to ax the Harrier DOES come back to bite the government in the bottom!!!

[Greg B]

Nice pictures mate...I really hope this decision to ax the Harrier DOES come back to bite the government in the bottom!!!

Leave it out Spike.

[Devilfish]

Nice pics. Love the camo scheme!! Definately a sad day and a terrible decision by the government! All I have to say is ...

"Look Argentina, the Falklands is yours for the taking!"

[keefr22]

"Look Argentina, the Falklands is yours for the taking!"

Yes, especially seeing as they made an even worse decision by scrapping Nimrod....!!!

Nice pics, though I do wish they'd used D type roundels on the green/grey jet (I know, you can't please all the people, all .....!!!)

And at least we still have Tonkas. For now, anyway.....

Keef

[Devilfish]

Yes, especially seeing as they made an even worse decision by scrapping Nimrod....!!!

A friend "in the know" tells me the Typhoons down there aren't even wired to carry missiles!!! So what are they supposed to do, flick the "bird"?

Nice pics, though I do wish they'd used D type roundels on the green/grey jet (I know, you can't please all the people, all .....!!!)

Agreed!!

And at least we still have Tonkas. For now, anyway.....

Keef

Not much of a consolation!

[Greg B]

Gents, there has already been a request to leave the political aspect out of this thread. Any more politically motivated comments and the thread will be closed and those ignoring the site rules will be in the naughty corner.

Greg B

[mtd350]

A friend "in the know" tells me the Typhoons down there aren't even wired to carry missiles!!! So what are they supposed to do, flick the "bird"?

Why not ?

It worked for Maverick 'n' Goose against a very F5 lookin MiG 28

And your "friend" in the know should know better

Edited December 14, 2010 by mtd350

[xffw45343tg]

If enough people are interested I will post a walkround of the camo jet. Easy enough for modellers to paint without buying specialist decals as the stencils are standard GR7/9 and the camo is almost exactly the GR1 scheme.

I can post all over views/pics to get every angle right, just add a comment if you want to see them as it will take a little time and I will need to upgrade my photo account!!

Do I have to actually bite your hand off or is it enough to say, "Yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh!"?

(Happy to share the photo hosting if this would help? There's a fair bit of space left on my PhotoBucket account that is yours for the taking).

Any chance of some cockpit shots or is it all classified? Particularly interested in the Right Hand console and the ground crew panel(?) to the right of the seat. I assume the sensor panel is a no-go area?

Cheers, Kirk.

[Smiffy]

Fantastic pics.

Thanks for sharing once again.

I too, would love to see the walkaround pics.

[dieselweasel]

yes please to the walkround piccies

jim

[Jabba]

Great photos and yes to the walk round.

[rafrobbo]

OK Folks,

looks like there are enough Harrier fans to see more detail pictures

I will set up another page in the next week or so titled Retro Harrier scheme ZG506.

(Kirk - I may need your photo bucket space, I took over 80 pic's of details on ZG506 and want to get more if weather is better tomorrow or later in the hangar, I'll PM you about cockpit shots).

Mean while here are a couple from the 16 ship flypast attempt today, weather scuppered it at the last minute, but hopefully tomorrow will see a different result.

How about 3 T-Bird's in one go:-

Enjoy, and thanks for the positive comments about the snaps. Any other Harrier stuff needed?

rafrobbo

[Robert]

Thanks for the picture a very sad day for an unique aircraft and one that will sorely be missed at next year airshows. Always loved the look of awe in the faces of mums, dads and the kids when they could see what it can do.

Oh yes more pics please.

Robert

[Devilfish]

I didn't realise that not all were fitted with refuelling probes...

[jimbuna]

Looking forward to the next set of shots...much appreciated

[goose]

THANKS for posting these great pics of a beutiful aircraft sadly not to be seen again what a waste

[rafrobbo]

I didn't realise that not all were fitted with refuelling probes...

Hi devilfish,

The refuel probes are a bolt on item and if not fitted, the holes for fuel, hydraulics and electrics are sealed and blanked.

Rare to see a jet without one in past few years as they are always fitted on Op Herrick and were used in UK for training or roulement of jets to and from Afghan.

More pictures on soon of last harrier day yesterday, unfortunately the weather was too poor at Cottesmore for the 16ship to fly over their home base. Jets won't fly again now as Cott and Witt runways are closed. Next time may be in a cargo plane but no news of disposal yet.