AV-8B HARRIER II: Jump Jet
Sept. 2011
Sept. 2011
The AV-8 Harrier started out as the
Hawker P.1127 in 1957. The P-1127
was the predecessor to the Hawker
Siddeley Kestrel. Kestrel was the test
aircraft for the RAF, German Luftwaffe
and USMC VSTOL (Vertical Short
Take-off and Landing) program. The
Kestrel was an improved and heavier
military version of the P.1127. With a
new Pegasus 5 engine the thrust was
rated at 15,200 ibs. A Tri-nation test
unit was established to conduct flight
trials on the new Kestrel. Germany
dropped out of the program in 1965.
The USMC bought the 6 Kestrels (3
USMC and 3 ex-German aircraft) and
shipped them to US test bases.
Unfortunately in 1967 after being
tested by the US Navy, USAF and US
Army interest in the Kestrel
disappeared. Even though test flights
proved that VSTOL was very useful in
tactical air operations the urgency just
was not there. The RAF was left to
procure and test updated Kestrels in
the late 1960's. The Harrier was the
final VSTOL aircraft design put into
RAF service in 1969. Harrier GR Mk.1
was the first RAF version to see
service. The Harrier T Mk.2 was a two
seat trainer.
After seeing the great success of the
Harrier in RAF service the USMC
re-evaluated the little VSTOL attack
aircraft. Marine Corps pilots were very
enthusiastic about the performance of
the Harrier. In 1971 the Marine Corps
ordered the Harrier to be designated
AV-8A in USMC service. Marine
Harriers differed from British versions
with a redesigned cockpit , upgraded
Pegasus Mk.103 engine and simpler
weapons attack radar. The USMC
found the planes close support ground
attack role to be very effective in
providing air power for grunts on the
front lines. The first Harrier Squadron
would be the Flying Nightmares of
VMA-513 at Beaufort, South Carolina.
With the success of the AV-8A the
Marines wanted a larger more powerful
Harrier. The AV-8B was produced by
McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. The
AV-8B is known as the Harrier II. A
larger but lighter wing area and
upgraed Mk.105 engine make the
Harrier II a much more capable attack
airframe. Dec. 12,1978 was the 1st
flight of the new AV-8B Harrier II in St.
Louis, MO. The Harrier II is the
mainstay of the USMC frontline close
air support aircraft today in 2011.
All photos presented here are of
AV-8Bs that I've shot over the years.
After more than 25 years of service the
Harrier II displays at air shows are still
very much crowd pleasers. Very loud
displays but always thrilling. Enjoy the
Photos! Copyright 2011
Hawker P.1127 in 1957. The P-1127
was the predecessor to the Hawker
Siddeley Kestrel. Kestrel was the test
aircraft for the RAF, German Luftwaffe
and USMC VSTOL (Vertical Short
Take-off and Landing) program. The
Kestrel was an improved and heavier
military version of the P.1127. With a
new Pegasus 5 engine the thrust was
rated at 15,200 ibs. A Tri-nation test
unit was established to conduct flight
trials on the new Kestrel. Germany
dropped out of the program in 1965.
The USMC bought the 6 Kestrels (3
USMC and 3 ex-German aircraft) and
shipped them to US test bases.
Unfortunately in 1967 after being
tested by the US Navy, USAF and US
Army interest in the Kestrel
disappeared. Even though test flights
proved that VSTOL was very useful in
tactical air operations the urgency just
was not there. The RAF was left to
procure and test updated Kestrels in
the late 1960's. The Harrier was the
final VSTOL aircraft design put into
RAF service in 1969. Harrier GR Mk.1
was the first RAF version to see
service. The Harrier T Mk.2 was a two
seat trainer.
After seeing the great success of the
Harrier in RAF service the USMC
re-evaluated the little VSTOL attack
aircraft. Marine Corps pilots were very
enthusiastic about the performance of
the Harrier. In 1971 the Marine Corps
ordered the Harrier to be designated
AV-8A in USMC service. Marine
Harriers differed from British versions
with a redesigned cockpit , upgraded
Pegasus Mk.103 engine and simpler
weapons attack radar. The USMC
found the planes close support ground
attack role to be very effective in
providing air power for grunts on the
front lines. The first Harrier Squadron
would be the Flying Nightmares of
VMA-513 at Beaufort, South Carolina.
With the success of the AV-8A the
Marines wanted a larger more powerful
Harrier. The AV-8B was produced by
McDonnell Douglas Aircraft. The
AV-8B is known as the Harrier II. A
larger but lighter wing area and
upgraed Mk.105 engine make the
Harrier II a much more capable attack
airframe. Dec. 12,1978 was the 1st
flight of the new AV-8B Harrier II in St.
Louis, MO. The Harrier II is the
mainstay of the USMC frontline close
air support aircraft today in 2011.
All photos presented here are of
AV-8Bs that I've shot over the years.
After more than 25 years of service the
Harrier II displays at air shows are still
very much crowd pleasers. Very loud
displays but always thrilling. Enjoy the
Photos! Copyright 2011
