PACKING is WELL UNDERWAY

[Xplumberlives]

Nipped in to Cott today and took a look around the Harriers and the parts waiting for onward movement to the US.

The V.A.S. Pan, full of bits.


Some wings.


Some unwanted rear fuselages.


Managed to look in to the hangars but didn't take any shots of the airframes, too sad!

Did manage to see ZH664 (112) which I flew in a few years ago, nice to be able to say goodbye!

[MOD]

Thanks for posting Dave - I think?

Ian

[Dan4th]

Might be sad, but it's good you
memorialized it.....

And at least they are living on,
not SCRAPPED, and being put to
good use!

Danf.

[Nickolas]

Glad to see we aren't gift wrapping them.............

[Terryjones]

Been really busy moving address, had no internet for a few weeks and never watch the news so missed the plot with this. What's going on?


Terry

[Xplumberlives]

Been really busy moving address, had no internet for a few weeks and never watch the news so missed the plot with this. What's going on?


Terry

The Harrier Fleet that were taken out of service have been sold to the US Marine Corps and are being sent out from Cottesmore to the USA via Southampton Docks!

[Terryjones]

Thanks Dave!
Are they using them for actual combat machines?

[Xplumberlives]

Thanks Dave!
Are they using them for actual combat machines?

They are using the 72 airframes, the engines and all of the support equipment to keep their existing fleet flying for longer and to supplement some of the ageing F18 fleet. We had grounded the fleet and had been looking for someone to take them on as a package.

The GEMS of the deal are the 12 twinseaters.

Many of the self appointed experts in the aviation world think that the USMC have got a cracking deal, they manage to overlook the massive cost of maintaining these machines or ultimately scrapping a group of 72 airframes with a massive carbon fibre content. Only one firm in the UK will accept carbon fibre and then they want it in pieces up to a metre square. The Harrier wing is a piece of carbon fibre 11metres across!

[Terryjones]

Great info. Dave. It's sad to see them go but at least they will live on over there. A testament to a truly great aircraft I think. Time to get back to the Harrier painting I think

Terry

[Dan4th]

Time to get back to the Harrier painting I think

Maybe (...just maybe...) a historic painting of an
early test flight with spectators on the ground and
some support equipment, etc.....

Or Falklands Action, perhaps........

You have a way of setting-off my imagination, Terry!

Paint what you Like!

I'm sure it will be Superb!

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Time to get back to the Harrier painting I think

Maybe (...just maybe...) a historic painting of an
early test flight with spectators on the ground and
some support equipment, etc.....

Or Falklands Action, perhaps........

You have a way of setting-off my imagination, Terry!

Paint what you Like!

I'm sure it will be Superb!

Danf.

Get BACK in the queue D4th!

[Olicat]

May be going to Southampton on Tuesday to see what you can see.

[Xplumberlives]

May be going to Southampton on Tuesday to see what you can see.

Oli, there are 12 there so far and they are well wrapped up under tarpaulins!

Good luck, looking forward to your report!

[Olicat]

Don't worry - it's not the only place Im going

[Xplumberlives]

Don't worry - it's not the only place Im going

Poor old Dad's TAXI!

[Olicat]

If you're thinking of trying to see them at Southampton, don't bother we didn't see anything!
Then we drove up to Brize Norton and saw loooaaaadddss!

[Xplumberlives]

If you're thinking of trying to see them at Southampton, don't bother we didn't see anything!
Then we drove up to Brize Norton and saw loooaaaadddss!

You saw LOADS of HARRIERS at Brize Norton?

So they are air lifting them then!

[Olicat]

*loads of other stuff - sorry

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Sad day Dave. I remember just prior to my DWR to Al Udied a busy busy Cottesmore, 4 months later and a ghost time. I was very sad.

You are right about the carbon fibre, only one company indeed and it was a million per wing to dispose so the US Marines got a bargin but so did we!

[Xplumberlives]

This article was in yesterdays SUN, not really known for their accuracy, but at least they got some elements of the story correct!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... pares.html

[Ducati Boy]

What a waste! We couldn't even stop the S*****d Nazi Party if they attacked us with a Arbroath Smokie now!!

[Hungry Haggis]

What a waste! We couldn't even stop the S*****d Nazi Party if they attacked us with a Arbroath Smokie now!!

Steady on DB Shouldn't that be the S******H N*****l Party the one with the short arsed leader and an incinerated kipper

[Ducati Boy]

What a waste! We couldn't even stop the S*****d Nazi Party if they attacked us with a Arbroath Smokie now!!

Steady on DB Shouldn't that be the S******H N*****l Party the one with the short arsed leader and an incinerated kipper

It might be HH. I couldn't possibly confirm it. The prospect of assault from North of the Border with such a horrendous weapon of mass distraction, hurled by S******ds Nitzis Party storm troopers, wearing black leather kilts and no pants, is indeed a terrifying one. Surely against the Geneva Convention.
Defenceless as we are with no mighty leaping heaps to protect us, I suppose we could try to capture the "stunted one" and his cabinet, use them to power a giant hot air balloon to fly over Edinburgh and bombard them with overcooked haggis to slow 'em down??? One can dream.

[Xplumberlives]

What a waste! We couldn't even stop the S*****d Nazi Party if they attacked us with a Arbroath Smokie now!!

Steady on DB Shouldn't that be the S******H N*****l Party the one with the short arsed leader and an incinerated kipper

It might be HH. I couldn't possibly confirm it. The prospect of assault from North of the Border with such a horrendous weapon of mass distraction, hurled by S******ds Nitzis Party storm troopers, wearing black leather kilts and no pants, is indeed a terrifying one. Surely against the Geneva Convention.
Defenceless as we are with no mighty leaping heaps to protect us, I suppose we could try to capture the "stunted one" and his cabinet, use them to power a giant hot air balloon to fly over Edinburgh and bombard them with overcooked haggis to slow 'em down??? One can dream.

Dream, you've got me having NIGHTMARES about these NUTTERS!