Первый предсерийный экземпляр "Харриера".

Single-seat Hawker Siddeley Harrier of No. 1 Squadron RAF in snow camouflage scheme

Martel missile on the underwing launcher of a Harrier V/STOL aircraft

Один из предсерийных "Харриеров". Сегодня машины этого типа остались единственными в мире боевыми СВВП

The Hamer Force has the help of the Royal Engineers in operating from "off-base" sites - here a No 4 Squadron machine taxies across a bridge provided by the Sappers

No. 20 Squadron Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 XV810 "XX" (C.O.'s aircraft) about to take off from a strip at Borken during Exercise "Heath Fire", summer 1976

XV743

Взлет "Харриера" GR.1 20-й эскадрильи королевских ВВС в лесном массиве близ г.Боркен, ФРГ.
Harrier GR.3 XV801 "Y" taking off from a dispersed site. Actually this is the view one gets when on the ground at the top left corner of the strip depicted above

SRAAM launchers under wings of a Hawker Siddeley Harrier V/STOL fighter

One of the squadron's Harriers is airborne after an STO from the "absurdly small strip"

Взлет "Харриера" GR.1 с площадки на одном из лондонских вокзалов.

Harrier XV281 comes off the ramp at Bedford on 23rd August 1977 carrying two 100-gal. drop tanks and two BL-755 duster bombs. The ramp is here set at 6 deg. but this has already been increased to 9 and will eventually go up to 20 deg.

Two views, in quick succession, of Harrier XV281 launching from the Bedford ramp on 11th August 1977, loaded with three 1,000-lb. bombs

Hawker Siddeley Harrier V/STOL - Pegasus

Hawker Siddeley Harrier XV136 with "ROYAL NAVY" titles for the occasion, during trials with H.M.S. "Hermes" in the English Channel in February. Four aircraft took part in the tests: single-seat XV136 and XV281 from A.& A.E.E. Boscombe Down; and two-seat XW175 from R.A.E, Bedford and Hawker's G-VTOL

An enemy would first have to pass the Bloodhound Mk. 2s of No. 25 Squadron, R.A.F. Missiles of the Wildenrath Flight shown here, with a Harrier behind

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR. Mk 3 of No 20 Squadron, from RAF Wildenrath, over Sardinia

Two Harrier GR.1s leave their visiting cards on a target spotted by a third, recce., Harrier during an R.A.F. tactical demonstration

R.A.F. GERMANY FORMATION - Phantom FGR. 2s of Nos. 19 and 92 Sqns, leading Buccaneers of Nos. 15 and 16 Sqns., Harriers of Nos. 3 and 4 Sqns., and Jaguars of Nos. 2, 14, 17, 20 and 31 Sqns. Every combat unit in the Command is represented here

The shape of the ’seventies, for RAF fighter pilots, is well represented in this picture of a Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR Mk 1 accompanied by a McDonnell Phantom FGR Mk 2.

America’s first encounter with the Harrier was during the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air Race, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alcock and Brown’s flight in 1919. Here XV741 alights at the corner of FDR Drive and East 26th Street in New York City after a 6hr 11 min flight from London’s St Pancras station on May 5, 1969.

Twin towers of hot exhaust gas stream from G-VSTO’s rear nozzles as John executes part of his display routine at Agno. The day after his solo demonstration at Grenchen, the author flew three displays at Agno before heading back to the UK via Zurich.

With airbrake fully deployed, the author brings G-VSTO alongside the HS.125 the company used as a support aircraft. Note the 100gal fuel tanks the Harrier carried throughout the tour. During the excursion to Switzerland G-VSTO made a total of 13 flights with virtually no maintenance other than filling up with fuel.

As well as making the trip to Switzerland as G-VSTO in 1971, XV742 was used the same year for trials on the deliberately-cratered runway at West Freugh in Scotland, to evaluate the type’s ability to operate from a heavily damaged airfield. The aircraft was lost during a weapons exercise while serving with No 233 OCU in October 1983.

Harrier XV742 was used extensively by USMC pilots during the early days of the AV-8A procurement process and is seen here in Marine Corps markings carrying an 8,000 lb bomb load during trials. It was given the civil registration G-VSTO in 1971 for demonstration flights in Switzerland, as recalled by John Farley in TAH7.

Harriers of VMA-513 in the Mojave Desert during Exercise Battle Cry, a six-week deployment to China Lake during 1972.

This line-up at the US Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, comprises three versions of the AV-8 attack aircraft. The two white aircraft are McDonnell Douglas AV-8B prototypes undergoing flight testing, at far left and in the centre are British Aerospace AV-8As, and on the right is a TAV-8A Harrier two-seater.

One of the few British types on display - in this case by courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps - was Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harrier 158966 of Squadron VMA-513 whose home base is Cherry Point, North Carolina

G-VTOL was partnered by AV-8A Harrier 159374, destined for the U.S. Marine Corps

US Marine Corps equivalent of the Harrier GR Mk 3, the AV-8A.

Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Harriers in service with US Marine Corps Squadron VMA 231

BAe (HS) AV-8A Harrier.

AV-8A из эскадрильи VMA-542 "Flying Tigers" производит пуск 127-мм HAP Zuni на полигоне.

A McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II of VME A T-101 leads TA-4F and A4M Skyhawks of VMAT-102 and an AV-8A Harrier

AV-8A BuNo 159232 of VMA-231 aboard the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA-2) in Norway during Exercise Teamwork 80 in August 1980. The unit embarked in USS Iwo Jima for its return voyage, stopping off at Yeovilton to cross-train with Royal Navy Sea Harriers before arriving in the USA in November 1980.

Sir Arnold Hall, Chairman and Managing Director of Hawker Siddeley, and Frederick Corfield, Minister of Aviation Supply, exchange paperwork during the handover ceremony of the first AV-8A at Dunsfold on January 6, 1971, at which AV-8A BuNo 158385 displayed briefly before an engine surge forced it to retire for the day.

The third and fourth AV-8As, BuNos 158386 and 158387, on the production line at Kingston. The former made its first flight on February 3, 1971, and was delivered to its new owners in the USA on March 15. The latter followed it into the air on February 16 and arrived at the US Navy Test Pilots’ School at Pax River on March 12.

AV-8A Матадор"

The Spanish Navy has ordered five more Hawker Siddeley AV-8A Matadors (Harriers) to supplement the five AV-8As and two two-seat TAV-8As serving with the 8a Escuadrilla. Shown aboard the Spanish carrier "Dedalo" is AV-8A Matador 008-4

AV-8A VA.1-7/‘01-810’ hovers over the Principe de Asturias flight deck during a vertical landing on April 7, 1994. This particular aircraft was lost at sea south of the Balearic Islands on May 13 during Dynamic Impact exercises. The pilot, Lt Federico Garcia ejected safely and was promptly rescued by an AB-212.

SPANISH HARRIERS - Last November the Spanish Navy's helicopter-carrier Dedalo sailed to the U.S.A. to collect her new fixed-wing aircraft complement of Hawker Siddeley Matadors (Spanish name for the Harrier). She returned the same month carrying five AV-8A Matadors and two TAV-8A two-seaters and has since been reclassified as an aircraft-carrier. The Matadors now equip the 8a Escuadrilla, whose shore base is Rota, Cadiz, where these photos were taken by Javier Taibo - AV-8A "3" (photo) and TAV-8A "8". AV-8A "2" was written off in the U.S.A.. but it is understood that four more have been ordered via the U.S.A.

The first of six Hawker Siddeley AV-8As ordered through the USA for the Spanish Navy is seen at Lambert St Louis International airport during flight trials. Two TAV-8As are also on order.

The AV-8As and TAV-8As are unique in that they are the only Arma Aerea de la Armada aircraft sporting squadron insignia.

СВВП "Харриер" авиации ВМС Тайланда и Испании в полете

The R.A.F.'s Jaguar build-up was completed on 1st March 1977 when No. 20 Squadron re-formed at Bruggen, Germany - Jaguar GR.1 XZ374 (illus.) with an ex-No.20 Harrier GR.3 peeling off ... to be absorbed by Nos. 3 and 4 Squadrons at Gutersloh

«Си Харриер» и «Харриер» в полете над «Гермесом»

Смешанная пара "Си Харриер" FRS.1 и "Харриер" GR.3 в патрульном полете

The R.A.F.'s first Harrier GR.5, ZD324, flanked by two Harrier GR.3s of No. 233 O.C.U.. Wittering, on 1st July 1987

Harrier GR. Mk 1 with laser rangefinder in modified nose

Самолеты Sea Harrier из 800-й эскадрильи и Harrier GR.Mk 3 из 1-й эскадрильи с полной боевой нагрузкой на палубе авианосца "Гермес". За войну пилоты эскадрильи выполнили более 1100 боевых вылетов и сбили не менее 17 самолетов противника, потеряв двух летчиков.

СВВП Harrier GR.Mk 3 британских ВВС и СВВП Sea Harrier FRS.Mk 1 британских ВМС на палубе авианосца "Гермес" во время фолклендской войны, 1982 год. Sea Harrier предназначались для решения задач ПВО, СВВП Harrier GR.Mk 3 осуществляли непосредственную авиационную поддержку сил вторжения. Несколько GR.Mk 3 было сбито.

"Харриеры" GR.3, "Си Харриеры" FRS.1 и "Си Кинг" на палубе авианосца "Гермес"

Sea Harrier и Harrier GR.Mk 3 базировались крыло к крылу на кораблях британского оперативного соединения. Аргентинская пресса дала Sea Harrier прозвище "La Muerta Negra" - "Черная смерть".

Английские «Харриеры» GR.3 и «Си Харриеры» на палубе «Инвинсибла»

The alternative - when the “appreciation” of the prospective Vulcan mainland operation was prepared in late May 1982, the Paveway II laser-guided bomb was being readied for action over the Falklands, and saw use fitted to the RAF’s Harrier GR.3s during the conflict. Here a Paveway II has been fitted to the outer pylon of a No 1 Sqn Harrier GR.3 aboard HMS Hermes.

Harrier GR.Mk 3 ВВС Великобритании на палубе авианосца.

A laser-nosed Hawker Siddeley Harrier aboard the anti-submarine carrier HMS Hermes during Sea Harrier proving trials in the English Channel which took place during the first two weeks of February.

"Харриеры" на борту "Атлантик Конвейера"

"Харриер" GR.3 из состава 3 эскадрильи RAF в Вильденрате, ФРГ.

Taking off from a field strip, XV738 is the first production Harrier, now reissued to No. 3 Squadron as a GR.3 with LRMTS nose and PWR fin.

H.S. Harrier of 233 OCU, Wittering, looking for parking space at the Leicester Air Display, August 26, 1979.

Harrier GR 3 of No. 3 Squadron, RAF Gutersloh, Germany, armed with a single practice bomb carrier on its centre pylon - briefly skylined on its run in to attack the target

Ferranti LRMTS (Laser Ranger and Marked Target Seeker) equipment is to be fitted in a development Harrier early 1973 for full testing and integration with the inertial navigation and attack systems (INAS), and the system will probably be adopted as a retrofit on all RAF Harriers. An aerodynamic test bed for the new nose shape is illustrated here.

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR. Mk 1 with laser rangefinder in modified nose

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR. Mk 1 with laser rangefinder in modified nose

Updated Harrier GR.3 XV751 of No. 20 Squadron, also over from Germany

No. 20 Squadron Harriers on the apron at Wildenrath The nearest aircraft has the LRMTS nose and PWR fin; furthest is in all-round camouflage

Royal Air Force Harriers (illustrated) and Jaguars have laser ranger and marked target seeker (LRMTS) sensors in the nose. During close air-support operations, a controller on the ground aims a laser at the target he wants to be destroyed. The gimballed optics in the LRMTS lock-on to the marked target and laser pulses are emitted and times to provide ranging data.

"Харриер" GR.3 на полевом аэродроме.

В ходе конфликта Гватемалы и Белиза на стороне последнего приняли участие британские войска, включая вертолеты и звено Harrier GR.Mk 3 из состава ВВС.

Laser-nosed Harrier of No. 4 Squadron, Gutersloh, under camouflage netting during an exercise away from base in June 1976.

R.A.F. Germany operates two squadrons of Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3s from Gutersloh. This aircraft of No. 3 Squadron is seen in a "hide" during an off-base exercise

Andy Thomas has also commented on grey Harriers, but of a much earlier era. GR.3 XV738 of 4 Squadron was noted at Lossiemouth in March 1984 wearing an experimental two-tone grey scheme. Can any reader add more?

STATIC PARK - This view covers the entire static display and shows the three main lines of aircraft: (foreground) Lightnings, VC10, Harriers, Victors and Phantoms; (centre) Vulcans, Jaguars, Canadian A.F. CF-104, R.A.A.F. F-111C and R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules, facing a row of Puma, Wessex, Whirlwind and Gazelle helicopters; and (behind) Shackleton, Argosy, five Nimrods, four Hercules facing Communications aircraft (Andover, Pembroke, Devon) and trainers, with four Buccaneers and five Canberras at the end of the line

Основная, подкрыльная и передняя стойки шасси.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Cdr Bob Thomas, who led the US Naval Preliminary Examination (NPE) team at Dunsfold in January 1969; Lt Tom Casey, seen here taking advice from HSA test pilot John Farley; Maj Bill Schieren, another member of the NPE team, beside XV743, which was lost later the same month while being flown by a USAF pilot; Capt Mike Ripley, who was killed in AV-8A BuNo 158386 in June 1971.

“The father of the AV-8A’’ - Lt-Gen Thomas H. Miller was one of America’s most distinguished naval aviators, having served as a USMC combat pilot in three major conflicts; he flew Wildcats and Corsairs in the Pacific War, Corsairs in Korea and commanded F-4 unit VMFA-513 in Vietnam. Miller was the driving force behind the USMC’s adoption of the Harrier.