End of the Line for Harriers + Nimrods

[SeanTK]

Trying to be as non-political as possible here, but just wanted to bring it to our attention that it looks like the UK's Harrier and Nimrod fleet (along with the Ark Royal) are done.  :-/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11570593

Looks like the status of a few RAF bases are uncertain now too. It's always tough losing an iconic aircraft. The Aussies recently with the F-111, the US a few years ago with the Tomcat, and now the UK with their Harriers.

[Craig.]

our new naval flagship


Not touching this topic though, would get in trouble.

[machineman9]

I went up to Kinloss and Lossie the other year and had a poke around the Nimrod and Tornados whilst we were there.

A sad day indeed.

[Rich H]

Are both the RAF and RN's Harriers gone? A sad loss, and let's hope the UK doesn't get involved with anything in the next few years.
We've still got the existing Nimrod MR2s which can hang out a little longer though, and planning for the A400 still.

[expat]

In a previous life involving a blue suit and sometimes a nice green one, I was an engine tech on Harriers for just short of 10 years. You either loved them or hated them, I fell in love at first sight. I managed to work on every MK, from the (I believe) the last GR1 that was modded up to Gr3, the GR3, T4, T4a light weight, Gr5, Gr5a, Gr7, and T10. Also did an engine change on the T4 Night bird. As memory recalls she was a Boscombe Down aircraft that had been modded so heavily with early night flying and a small amount of fly by wire that it only looked like a harrier! The one thing that really sticks in my mind, when doing a "tie down" (max engine run) sat at 108% with the nozzles aft, the aircraft vibrated so much you thought your teeth would come out. Move the nozzle lever to the hover stop and the world went quiet and as smooth as a Cashmere codpiece . Also with the cabin conditioning set to max cold, you could make it snow in the cockpit

Sorry to see them go, lots and lots of happy memories.......Like going out to do an engine start after changing the ignitor plugs (you would not wish that job on your worst enemy) and forgetting to reset the ignition isolation switch. One of those On is Off switches. So the engine is turning on the GTS, I move the throttle from cut off to idle and nothing happens. Wait a second or two and realise what I have done, forgotten the switch. It is over my right shoulder and behind me. So I took the easy option and hit the relight button on the throttle. This button has no isolate for obvious reasons. I feel a "thump" through the airframe and get light up and all looks good. After the run up, Sengo comes over and informs me that watching the entire day shift leaving Rec's Control like it is a Friday and a beer call is on as a large fire ball rolls inbound is not to be repeated whist he is on duty again I have the Harrier to thank for some great times and travels. From Alaska, to the West and East Coast of the States, Denmark to Turkey and all the counties between......and Scotland and Yorkshire too, but the less said the better for those locations

Matt

[Mictheslik]

Are both the RAF and RN's Harriers gone? A sad loss, and let's hope the UK doesn't get involved with anything in the next few years.
We've still got the existing Nimrod MR2s which can hang out a little longer though, and planning for the A400 still.

MR2s were retired earlier this year....still a few R1s at Waddo though....basically we now have no Maritime rec. aircraft....well...we will have 9 MRA4s that will be built and then immediately scrapped.

Other 'highlights' of the SDSR are the disposal of the nearly new sentinals once the afghanistan mission is over, and the chopping of a couple of GR4 squadrons, rumoured to be 12 and 14.

.mic

[C]

Are both the RAF and RN's Harriers gone? A sad loss, and let's hope the UK doesn't get involved with anything in the next few years..

Ironically it's the fact we are involved in Afghanistan that has been the death knell for both the Harrier and the Nimrod.

With the Tornado planned to do the job there until we leave, the Harrier is effectively redundant, and in "immediately" retiring it, they are saving

[RaptorF22]

Wait, the RAF and RN are retiring the Harriers??
That is just too sad.
They are beautiful aircraft, I'm really glad I've seen them on static display and flying before they're all gone.
What will they do till they get the Lightning II in a few years?

[B_7772]

Sad news indeed.

[C]

What will they do till they get the Lightning II in a few years?

Nothing, we're just sending a chosen few over to the states for a few years to fly the F-18 in preparation for the F-35C.