Discussion
Great film. Isn't it amazing how much military hardware has been professionally filmed in development over the years and aren't we lucky how much of it has made its way onto Youtube?
I didn't know the Germans and Americans were involved with this at such an early stage. Anyone know exactly where it was filmed?
I didn't know the Germans and Americans were involved with this at such an early stage. Anyone know exactly where it was filmed?
Quite a way on from 1963 at the Paris Air Show (short clip about 3/4 of the way through):
http://backup.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42868
Also a Sky Warrior having a spot of bother landing on a carrier, and an aircraft fatally crippled by its wingman's bombs.
http://backup.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42868
Also a Sky Warrior having a spot of bother landing on a carrier, and an aircraft fatally crippled by its wingman's bombs.
Eric Mc said:
I'll have a look at that when I get home 
I have a copy of The P1127 Prototype, The Great Air Race(London to NY in a Harrier), Fly Harrier and Harrier - Strike and Survive sitting in front of me. They were made by the DH/Hawkers/British Aerospace Film Unit in the 60s/70s and I joined that Film Unit in 1983.
All the Harrier film archives went to the IWM in about 1988. The unit covered a whole chunk of the prototype testing including the early "ski jump" trails at RAE Bedford.
Model Aircraft Monthly ran a series of articles on the early P1127/Kestrel/Harrier years a few years ago.
There were some good pictures of the American Kestrels and some nice side view artwork of the NASA colour schemes.
The US had a big part to play in the Harrier story, right from the very begining, something that is often overlooked on this side of the Atlantic.
There were some good pictures of the American Kestrels and some nice side view artwork of the NASA colour schemes.
The US had a big part to play in the Harrier story, right from the very begining, something that is often overlooked on this side of the Atlantic.
Afte the P1127 flew in the early 1960s, only one air arm in the world expressed enthusiasm for a developed combat version of the basic design. It wasn't the RAF, or the Fleet Air Arm. It wasn't even the US Air Force or the US Navy. It was the US Marines - who loved the idea right from the start.
It was lobbying by the US Marines that allowed some funds to be allocated into the NATO budget to allow in-field (literally) testing of a developed version of the P1127. Even with that, both the RAF and the RN were pretty lukewarm.
It was lobbying by the US Marines that allowed some funds to be allocated into the NATO budget to allow in-field (literally) testing of a developed version of the P1127. Even with that, both the RAF and the RN were pretty lukewarm.
Eric Mc said:
Afte the P1127 flew in the early 1960s, only one air arm in the world expressed enthusiasm for a developed combat version of the basic design. It wasn't the RAF, or the Fleet Air Arm. It wasn't even the US Air Force or the US Navy. It was the US Marines - who loved the idea right from the start.
It was lobbying by the US Marines that allowed some funds to be allocated into the NATO budget to allow in-field (literally) testing of a developed version of the P1127. Even with that, both the RAF and the RN were pretty lukewarm.
Ironic that they will probably be the last operator of the type! It was lobbying by the US Marines that allowed some funds to be allocated into the NATO budget to allow in-field (literally) testing of a developed version of the P1127. Even with that, both the RAF and the RN were pretty lukewarm.
Eric Mc said:
Not sure they'll be the last. The Spanish, Italians, the Indians and the Thais also use them.
Agreed, but I am guessing the ex UK machines that they have just purchased will be pretty much rebuilt and will therefore be some of the youngest out there, and therefore in service longer? Just guessing.onyx39 said:
Eric Mc said:
Not sure they'll be the last. The Spanish, Italians, the Indians and the Thais also use them.
Agreed, but I am guessing the ex UK machines that they have just purchased will be pretty much rebuilt and will therefore be some of the youngest out there, and therefore in service longer? Just guessing.
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