A disappearing classic...

[F3Hadlow]

A great fighter that is nearly gone from the skies over the UK...

[Woodlouse2002]

Not going to be gone for a while yet. They have to know that the JSF will at least take off from our carriers before they dispose of all our perfectly good aircraft.

[F3Hadlow]

Not going to be gone for a while yet. They have to know that the JSF will at least take off from our carriers before they dispose of all our perfectly good aircraft.

I'm afraid they are. In the time between the SHARs retirement and the JSFs introduction the RN are supposed to get RAF Harrier GR7s.

[SkyNoz]

Sad, but Im sure their will be a excellent replacement for it.

[Woodlouse2002]

Sad, but Im sure their will be a excellent replacement for it.

Yeah, a nice piece of american equipment thats too heavy to take off at operational weights.

[F3Hadlow]

Sad, but Im sure their will be a excellent replacement for it.

Assuming they can sort out all the problems the programme is already having...

[afi0yz]

Yeah, a nice piece of american equipment thats too heavy to take off at operational weights.

the harrier cant take off vertically with a combat load either

[Woodlouse2002]

the harrier cant take off vertically with a combat load either

No it can't. But it can use a ski jump. Can the JSF? Noooooooooo.

[F3Hadlow]

What is it with Harrier Vs JSF debates, I've seen them start with very little provokation on other forums but they become very in depth analysis/argument

Maybe because the Harrier is better?

[Woodlouse2002]

Maybe because the Harrier is better?

Which some people find very hard to accept and henceforth, the debates.

All I can say is that if Harrier development had remained in the hands of BAe instead of going to Macdonnel Douglas then it would have been Supersonic years ago which would have meant there was no point in the JSF.

[afi0yz]

No it can't. But it can use a ski jump. Can the JSF? Noooooooooo.

I dont know it might be able to.  But its not like it really matters, here in the US we have actual aircraft carriers for real airplanes.

for the record i hate the JSF its ugly, but you think its a totally American plane, its not thats why its called JOINT strike fighter. Many countries are involved with it

[ozzy72]

Wonderful photos Steve. I think the reason most Brits are so anti-JSF is the fact that the Harrier is OURS and we take pride in it... oh and the fact everyone slagged it off until it kicked some Dassault butt in the Falklands.
Also a lot of Brits are worried by the "malfunction" problems that have come from US kit we've brought in the past, I think an over-reliance on technology is a bad thing.

[Souichiro]

Well At least the Harrier wins the looks competition by MILES!!!!!!! ( about the length of the equator X a couple of times) Stunning pic Hadlow!! I really like harrier shots as they reminded me of the time that BAE dunsfold was still open. We camp about 300 meters max from the field and were right in the approach Ah those engines make wonderfull noise!

One question though...Are you a professional  photographer?  :P

BTW you brits will have a flying buccaneer up for the coming airshow season! Please take some wonderfull snaps of it Please?

[Craig.]

Guys the harrier JSF debate is pointless for one rather large reason. There is still barely a 50/50 chance that the JSF will even go ahead. Washington are refusing to release certain bits of information on the plane to the MOD when they need it, and they are now getting so fed up with that, the costs, the weight problem and the added fact those carriers are changing daily it seems. That they are close to saying no thanks there are other options available now to us. Options including a eurofighter upgrade to carrier capable and also France have said they would be happy to supply us with the rafale as we will be using simmilar carriers to them anyway.

Oh and great shots

[Tweek]

Guys the harrier JSF debate is pointless for one rather large reason. There is still barely a 50/50 chance that the JSF will even go ahead.

I hope it doesn't! I mean, we kept the Canberra for 50 years (and still have it), we can do it with the Harrier as well!

(*ahem*.. and the Jaguar )

If it's not broke, don't fix replace it!