Jets & Planes but no UAV's here.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Was on my list and then saw it brought up separately before posting my last patch page. Since Don has addressed this for the game, here then is my tribute to the plane , those that flew'em and those that kept'em flying.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...368/#more-3368
Combined 700 Billion GPD in 2009 contract expenditure on life cycle and engine upgrades for the HARRIER.

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/19983/
Final SEA HARRIER fly by of HMS ARK ROYAL.
Pic:


http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/708/
HMS ARK ROYAL pulls into port for the last time.

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/ai...1217_1_n.shtml
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/20623/
Concerning the final flyover.
Pics:




Proud as they should be and no better way for a send off then with the "Pipes", I know I had the honor of one at my retirement ceremony.

Though he had some "thoughts" about the MOD decision at the final flyover, RNC Nigel "Sharkey" Ward wrote an excellent book on the Falklands War and the role of the HARRIER while serving as a flight leader there. I got to see PELE play for the
Mid-Atlantic Cup while with the NY COSMOS but, he was almost overshadowed by the war as the Argentina team and fans found themselves very unwelcome at the Meadowlands Stadium at the time after some "demonstrations" of their own. Not something to do with a NY crowd!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Sorry SEA HARRIER retired in March 2006. It should of course be the joint services GR9 HARRIER.
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/fa2/
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/harriergr9/
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/harrier/
The last covers the Corps (Which have been upgraded since this was published.), SPAINISH and ITALIAN Navy versions. INDIA flies the SEA HARRIER but I believe they may be "grounded" now.
Good Night and Have a Great Day!

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

INDIA flies the SEA HARRIER but I believe they may be "grounded" now.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...hortage-04774/

Oct 31/10: The Financial Times reports that Britain is looking to sell its fleet of advanced Harrier II GR9s, adding that India is seen as a potential customer:

“India and the US are the two most promising markets for more than 50 of the most up-to-date Harriers, which will otherwise be consigned to the scrap-yard or museum. Peter Luff, defence procurement minister, told the Financial Times that some of the kit axed in the defence review… might still find a home abroad.”

and Re : Grounding

Aug 26/09: Sify News reports India’s grounding of its Sea Harrier fleet. Indian navy spokesman P.V.S. Satish:

“The fleet has been grounded for immediate physical checks on all the flying controls…. We’re likely to finish that in 48 to 72 hours and thereafter the fleet will be cleared.”

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Thanks Don!
I did raise the idea of a possible sale in the APC thread
Post #71 as purely supposition on my part. With the written word on the topic I would guess India has the best shot to buy them. We're cutting back and our Congress is looking for more than SECDEF Gates is offering in cuts now. Spain is not far from needing a bailout from the EU as well if things don't improve. Italy isn't far behind plus it's on going political scandal. Though the both of them are better off then Greece, Ireland, Portugal and they fall in order as I put them above if the "domino's" keep falling. But India is expanding (Economy.) at about 4 to 6% of GDP a year and as I've been posting is modernizing and expanding their military rapidly over the last few years.
Honestly I have to plead complete ignorance to the length of the grounding, I thought it might've been in the order of months similar to Germany's grounding of the Eurocopter AH. Never looked into it with the HARRIER.
Thanks again for the info!!

Regards,
Pat