Sea Harrier GR3 (sic) query

Thanks Dave, so how much of XV281 does survive?

Nice pic Robert.

Thanks Dave, so how much of XV281 does survive?

Nice pic Robert.

It seems XV281 survives as a composite, http://www.demobbed.org.uk/image_view.php?a=22627&s=xv281.jpg

James,

Not a composite fuselage despite the fable. As you can see below, its not fitted with a T-bird middle. And just for good measure, a photo of ‘272 which was badly damaged as can be seen….

It seems XV281 survives as a composite, http://www.demobbed.org.uk/image_view.php?a=22627&s=xv281.jpg

James,

Not a composite fuselage despite the fable. As you can see below, its not fitted with a T-bird middle. And just for good measure, a photo of ‘272 which was badly damaged as can be seen….

Here is a recent photo of XV277 at East Fortune showing its “Royal Navy” wording.

Here is a recent photo of XV277 at East Fortune showing its “Royal Navy” wording.

I’ve only just read the pic description form the 1st link, ‘A Royal Navy Sea Harrier GR.3 prepares to take off from HMS INVINCIBLE on a wet day.’

Kind of reminds me of the Sea Harrier GR.3 at FAAM Yeovilton! 🙂

I’ve only just read the pic description form the 1st link, ‘A Royal Navy Sea Harrier GR.3 prepares to take off from HMS INVINCIBLE on a wet day.’

Kind of reminds me of the Sea Harrier GR.3 at FAAM Yeovilton! 🙂

Got to agree, some great pics there, XV281 must have been used for the original trials aboard HMS Eagle in 1970 and on Hermes in ’77, bit of a carrier veteran! Also served on naval trials at Bedford.
There was a Harrier det on Ark Royal, c.’71, I bet it never occurred to anyone then that RAF Harriers would need to operate from a carrier 10 years later.

It seems XV281 survives as a composite, http://www.demobbed.org.uk/image_view.php?a=22627&s=xv281.jpg

Got to agree, some great pics there, XV281 must have been used for the original trials aboard HMS Eagle in 1970 and on Hermes in ’77, bit of a carrier veteran! Also served on naval trials at Bedford.
There was a Harrier det on Ark Royal, c.’71, I bet it never occurred to anyone then that RAF Harriers would need to operate from a carrier 10 years later.

It seems XV281 survives as a composite, http://www.demobbed.org.uk/image_view.php?a=22627&s=xv281.jpg

As always a wealth of information and some lovely photos, thanks for the links. Always liked the G-VTOL scheme.

This Brit Modeller Thread might also be of interest

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31520&pid=338517&mode=threaded&start=#entry338517

I’d forgotten that one! Since discovered the ‘Seadog’ is in fact the unofficial emblem of A squadron AAEE

Pagen is right, it is XV281 – see this shot:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davids_world_2011/6006547636/sizes/o/in/set-72157627059894591/

The GR3 is XZ138 and the T-birds are G-VTOL and XW175. XV277 also seems to have been there from other photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davids_world_2011/6006560240/in/set-72157627059894591

This Brit Modeller Thread might also be of interest

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31520&pid=338517&mode=threaded&start=#entry338517

Trials on Hermes 1977

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davids_world_2011/5932723369/in/gallery-39411748@N06-72157626999028999/

That’s fantastic!
Should be able to work out what the GR1 is – note the very early intake boxes on top of the saddle. Not a Squadron aircraft. Might be one of the DB ones as Pagen says.

That pretty well confirms JagRiggers post!
It looks to be an earlier GR.1, and coded B, wonder which serial?

More Details here

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1977/1977%20-%201257.html

XV281 was a Harrier GR.1 DB which wore those markings for trials on Eagle, looks like an ‘E’ on the tail fin.

Trials on Hermes 1977

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davids_world_2011/5932723369/in/gallery-39411748@N06-72157626999028999/

I think its one of the DB GR1’s