Air International 1984-03
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??? - The Anglo-American Harrier II
A McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace AV-8B (actually the third full-scale development aircraft) on test, with a load of seven 985-lb (447-kg) Mk 83 bombs.
The third FSD AV-8B Harrier II, in the standard US Marine Corps finish that is now being applied to the aircraft of the pilot production batch.
The first and third FSD AV-8Bs are seen here in company with the second of the YAV-8B prototypes. The first FSD aircraft is here shown fitted with LERX, not used for the initial series of flight tests.
The third FSD AV-8B Harrier II carrying six Mk 82 bombs and two 300 US-gal (1136-l) drop tanks.
The fourth of the FSD Harrier IIs was finished in an experimental scheme of medium grey overall. First flown in June 1983, this aircraft has been used primarily for the development of production aircraft acceptance criteria, and also to train pilots.
FSD 2, here seen refuelling from a KC-130F Hercules of VMGR-352, was given this distinctive finish for its trial flights.
The upper skin of the AV-8B wing, laid up on a mobile platten, enters the autoclave at St Louisfor curing.
The third of the four Full-Scale Development AV-8B Harrier II, shown with 12 bombs
A completed wing - the largest piece of all-composite primary structure to have reached quantity production.
The third of the four Full-Scale Development AV-8B Harrier II, shown with two long-range tanks.
A red, black, gold and while colour scheme on FSD 2 helps the position of control surfaces and aircraft attitude to be clearly distinguished during tests.
The AV-8B Harrier II fuselage assembly line at St Louis, where British-built centre/rear fuselages are mated with McDonnell Douglas-built front fuselages.
Вертикально взлетающий самолет корпуса морской пехоты США AV-8B
The first of the pilot production batch AV-8Bs for the US Marine Corps, which has plans to acquire 328, including 28 of the two-seat TAV-8B variant.
A fully-equipped AV-8B cockpit in one of McDonnell Douglas' unique training simulators at St Louis.
McDonnell Douglas/British Aerospace Harrier GR Mk 5