January 8, 2015 at 3:51 am
I’m curious… It’s well known that an American, Art Nall, now owns two airworthy Harriers, both first-generation, I believe, a one- and two-seater. Are there any other Harriers out there that a civilian might buy and fly? Obviously the USMC can’t sell any of its AV-8As or -Bs, including the ex-Brit airplanes now parked in the big used-plane lot at Davis-Monthan, but is there anything else out there that isn’t being used as a planter in somebody’s garden or as a playground toy? Might the Spanish, Italians or Indians sell to a rich collector? Or the Thais, who already own third-owner airplanes?
Actually, I’m more than casually curious, since I’m writing a Harrier article for an aviation magazine.
By: Mike J - 8th January 2015 at 18:33
He’s not, he’s researching a magazine article, as he says in the opening post.
By: Canopener Al - 8th January 2015 at 17:19
If you are serious on buying a potential flying Harrier, I would talk to Everett Aero.
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th January 2015 at 15:01
Partially, yes the US restrictions on sales of military equipment, and requirements for de-milling, are quite robust- we will not see a flyer released to a civilian owner from US stocks. Also the USMC AV-8B harriers are still in use and the ex-UK GR7/9 airframes are in store as spares for the USMC harriers (or if the F-35B had more problems)
By: Creaking Door - 8th January 2015 at 10:09
Obviously the USMC can’t sell any of its AV-8As or -Bs, including the ex-Brit airplanes…
Why not? Is it control of ex-military hardware legislation?
By: TonyT - 8th January 2015 at 09:46
The other just sold was a potential flyer too, see
By: Propstrike - 8th January 2015 at 08:21
” Neil Banwell has spent the last six years and thousands of pounds restoring the Harrier Jump Jet to its former glory.
The 45-year-old paid £10,000 for the iconic fighter – which dropped cluster bombs during the conflict with Argentina.
He secretly made the bid on eBay in 2007 without telling his wife, Jo, 49, who was livid when she found out.
But he now estimates it is worth up to ten times what he paid for it and says neither of them want to part with it.’
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/builder-spends-six-years-restoring-2333971
By: Mike J - 8th January 2015 at 07:58