Harriers' Final Detachment to Yeovilton tomorrow (Weds)

[anonymous-user]

With the Harrier going out of service in December, 4 are due in to Yeovilton tomorrow for a final farewell.

Yeovilton was the base for the Sea Harrier for many years.

Details here for anyone interested who is in the area:

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=42&am...

[thatone1967]

is that all variants... end of story... no more harriers?

Are there any plans to keep any flying?

[anonymous-user]

From an RAF/RN perspective that will be it. 17 th Dec is rumoured to be the last day of flying. Rumour has it the Indian AF may buy some. The US Marines and the Italian AF both stil use the Harrier.

[Lurking Lawyer]

The Spanish still do too, I think.

They certainly used to fly them off the Principe de Asturias, anyway.

[thatone1967]

thatone1967 said:

Are there any plans to keep any flying?

[Eric Mc]

Who do you mean?

As has been said, other air forces around the wotrld will continue to fly Harriers.

[thatone1967]

Eric Mc said:

Who do you mean?

As has been said, other air forces around the wotrld will continue to fly Harriers.

as in some form of memorial flight...

[anonymous-user]

Very unlikely. It would be expensive to keep one as part of a memorial flight. Wouldn't think the CAA would allow a civilian operated one. There is a civilian owned Sea Harrier in the US that the owner wants to bring to the UK for the Falklands Anniversary. Not overly optimistic that this will happen though.

[thatone1967]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

quite gutted now... went to Dunsfold Wings & Wheels back in the summer, left before the Harrier display.
Sad to think I will never see one in the air again...

[TuxRacer]

What happens when they cut aircraft before they reach the end of their serviceable life? Parts only or are any sold relatively intact?

[anonymous-user]

The GR9 was going to remain in service until 2018, and I believe there could have been an extension programme to 2024.

There is still some life in them.

One of the rumours is they are going to the US, as they have different kit to the US Marines ones, and that they may wish to upgrade theirs with the equipment in the GR9s.

The other rumour is the Indian Navy will buy 24 of them, do a few months of training here before they leave.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

I was lucky enough to visit cottesmore numerous times and get to see them take off from very close up. Had one trundle past me heading to the runway for take off. Wingtip was round 5-10 metres away from me. fk off loud.

Also really interesting to see them in bits. Once engine is removed its simply a hollow shell.