I have just received the record cards for Harrier GR3 XV752
There are a few acronyms and what appear to be damage categories on the cards which I don’t understand. Can anyone help decipher them?
They are
H.C.T (Is it possible this is Harrier conversion Team?)
A D A (Appears to be related to damage)
ROS
PWOS
Cat. 3
Cat. 3R
Cat. 3S
Cat. 3FLY
Also, does anyone know where 71 MU based in 1975? Was it Bicester? Was 71responsible for aircraft recovery?
Finally does anyone know when 4 Squadron finally retired their GR3’s?
Does anyone have any information on the movements of XV752 after April 1986 which is the last entry on the record card.
Thanks.
By: Kilonovember52 - 27th March 2010 at 12:34
Once again many thanks to all those who have had an input to this. Your help is really appreciated. After further research detailed below is the revised service history of Harrier XV752 as far as we can piece it together.
In doing this we have come across a mystery as to why XV752 is in it’s current 3 Sqn colour scheme.
When 752 left R.A.F sqn service she was in the colours of IV (AC) Sqn. We have pictures of 752 in her last days with IV (AC) Sqn in 1990 and at the SoTT Cosford in August 1991 in the colours of IV (AC) Sqn. However, move on to the 1995 an there is another picture of 752 at the Cosford airshow and 752 is in a 3 Sqn livery coded ‘B’ with the pilots name Wg Cdr Profit on the starboard side of the canopy.
The mystery is this. When with 3 Sqn 752 was coded ‘AG’ and ‘G’. There is no evidence of her ever being coded ‘B’. Also, although Wg Cdr G R Profit AFC OBE was CO of 3 Squadron between Oct 1977 – Mar 1980 there is no evidence of 752 being on strength with 3 Sqn during this time.
Therefore, was there and special celebration or events for 3 Sqn between 1991 and 1995 that would have result in 752 being put into her current paint scheme?
Is there any special significance to this paint scheme.
Any information anyone can give use would be really appreciated.
SERVICE HISTORY HARRIER GR3 XV752
30/05/1969 First flight Harrier GR1 XV752 (c/n 712015) flown by Duncan Simpson.
27/08/1969 Delivery from Hawker Siddeley Aviation Dunsfold to R.A.F Wittering.
28/08/1968 Harrier Conversion Team (HCT)
30/12/1969 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
13/05/1970 HCU / 233 OCU. Coded ‘52’
05/10/1972 Upgraded to GR1A.
08/11/1972 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
30/04/1974 Upgraded to GR3.
26/02/1975 ADA Cat 3R FLY i.e. temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications etc.
Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can bearranged for repair at its normal base
07/03/1975 71 MU R.A.F Bicester “Salvage and Transportation flight”
22/05/1975 ADA Cat 3R FLY i.e. Temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications etc. Post- categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base
Sept 1975 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F.Wittering.
1 (F) Sqn night flying.16th Sept 1975
Decimomannu Armament Practice Camp Sardinia Oct 1975.
Deployed to Belize via Goose bay and Bermuda flown by Bob Holliday 6th Nov 1975
13/05/1976 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
Deployed Norway (Ørland), Sept 1976
Suffered a bird strike, so I landed after 15 minutes, 2nd March 1977.
04/05/1977 ADA Cat 3S i.e. Temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications.
07/07/1977 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
3 hours sortie including AAR. 2nd Nov 1977
23/12/1977 ADA Cat 3 FLY i.e. Temporarily out of service, on maintenance or receiving modifications. Post- categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base.
06/09/1978 1F Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
15/06/1979 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
17/06/1980 1417 Flight Belize on rotation. Aircraft coded ‘M’.
Aircraft code blue “M” is from OCU. 1417 flt kept the original units code letter at this time. Later changed to the code letter of the individual aircraft hides
29/05/1981 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
30/06/1981 ADA Cat 3 i.e. Temporarily out of service, on maintenance or receiving modifications. Repaired on site (ROS) by another unit or contractor.
AC ex 1417 Flt tended to suffer cat 3 damage that would be detected on their return. E.g. Tail structure damage due to engine runs without a proper tie down pan. Fuel leaks due to the effect of heat and humidity on the fuel tanks.
08/09/1981 233 OCU R.A.F. Wittering
28/09/1981 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
29/09/1981 233 OCU R.A.F. Wittering
19/11/1981 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
04.03/1982 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
12/03/1982 1 (F)Squadron R.A.F Wittering. Aircraft Coded ‘04’
Attended Leuchars air show September 4, 1982. Coded ’04’
04/07/1983 3 Squadron R.A.F Gutersloh, West Germany.
05/07/1983 IV (AC) Squadron R.A.F Gutersloh, West Germany.
08/07/1983 1 (F) Squadron, R.A.F Wittering.
17/08/1983 Transferred to R.A.F St Athan for a major service.
24/05/1984 1 (F) Squadron, R.A.F Wittering
19/12/1984 3 Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany.
17/12/1985 ADA Cat 3 Temporarily out of service for repair following a bird strike.
03/04/1986 Returned to service after repair with 3 Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘AG’
Deployed Sardinia for ACMI training, January 1987.
Last sortie was a 6 vs x2 F15.
July 1987 3 Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘G’
Attended the Leeuwarden Netherlands air show July 10, 1987 Coded ‘G’.
1988 Attended the Aalborg Denmark air show November 3, 1988 Coded ‘G’
21/11/1989 IV (AC) Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘S’
Affiliation sortie from Gütersloh against some Pumas 23rd January 1990
October 1990 Retired from operational service with IV (AC) Squadron,R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘S’.
1990 Transferred to SoTT R.A.F Cosford as a ground instructional airframe 9078M.
1995 On display in the Static park at the R.A.F Cosford
air show. Aircraft painted in 3 Squadron colors
coded ‘B’
2002 Displayed on the deck next to the ski ramp of H.M.S
Invincible as part of the events to mark the 20th
anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Aircraft
painted in 3 Squadron colors coded ‘B’
2005 Attended RIAT, R.A.F Fairford UK – England, July 16 & 17 , 2005. The Harrier was displayed in the
static park on a lowloader to demonstrate the work
of RAF recovery teams. Aircraft painted in 3
Squadron colors coded ‘B’
18/07/2005 Delivered to 2366 (Bletchley Park) Squadron ATC for ground instructional and gate guard duties. Aircraft in 3 Squadron colors coded ‘B.
Ground instructional airframe 9078M.
By: Kilonovember52 - 27th March 2010 at 12:21
Stacey24b
PM inbound about the dimensions of 752’s intakes.
By: pagen01 - 25th March 2010 at 19:47
We have a Harrier why can’t we have the support equipment? Bureaucracy gone mad again.
You’re running into the same problem as me, I think money has something to do with it.
By: Kilonovember52 - 25th March 2010 at 19:44
Stacey,
Thanks. You share our sentiments about the inventory. We really can’t see what the issue is. We have a Harrier why can’t we have the support equipment? Bureaucracy gone mad again.
I’ll take a look at the intakes next time I’m down on the Sqn ang get some measurements for you. Many thanks. KN52
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th March 2010 at 16:40
i find it strange that you have a harrier on your inventory and now they are questioning the ground support equipment going on the same inventory
probably want to make money out of selling the ladders via liquibiz as they do with most things, i’m not sure if you’ll be able to make a set of GR7 intake blanks fit a GR3 let us know the dimensions. Don’t know how feasible it is to cut them down. If i knew where there were any of the inflatable landaway types i’d try and get one however i’ve not seen a set since my sqn days, but i’ll keep looking
By: Kilonovember52 - 25th March 2010 at 16:31
Farde17,
Many thanks for the reply. That’s really useful info. I’ll incorporate it into the history and update it. Im also getting feedback from ex pilots via the Sqn associations so the history is expanding!
Based on all the available evidence although XV752 was on strength with 1 Sqn in 1982 it was not selected to deploy south and never particiapted in the 1982 WAR! I have asked 1 Sqn if they have any info on why it wasn’t selected.
More updates to come.
By: farde17 - 25th March 2010 at 15:03
Hi Congrats on getting the info.
It confirms that I worked on it in 1417 flt, ocu and 3 sqn.
I’ve added comments to expand some of the entries hope that is of help.
Mike
“30/04/1974 Upgraded to GR3.”
One date entry this implies that this was simply the engine upgrade Not LRMTS Nose and RWR RX.best estimate is that this was carried out during one of the CAT 3 periods in 77. Cat3 entries in 75 seems to reflect to something happening to it. Transported to Cosford for training and then the decision been made to recover it to operational service. Very unusual if not unique.
“26/02/1975 ADA Cat 3R FLY i.e. temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications etc.
Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base
07/03/1975 71 MU R.A.F Bicester “Salvage and Transportation flight”
31/03/1975 Transferred to No 2 School of Technical Training R.A.F
Cosford as a ground instructional airframe.
22/05/1975 ADA Cat 3R FLY i.e. Temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications etc. Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base”
“04/05/1977 ADA Cat 3S i.e. Temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications.
07/07/1977 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
23/12/1977 ADA Cat 3 FLY i.e. Temporarily out of service, on maintenance
or receiving modifications. Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base.”
“15/06/1979 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
17/06/1980 1417 Flight Belize on rotation. Aircraft coded ‘M’.”
Aircraft code blue “M” is from OCU 1417 flt kept the original units code letter at this time. Also at that time was XV753 blue “C” also from OCU. Later I believe the lettering changed to the hides and 1417 flt lettered the harriers “C” “D” “F” “G”
“29/05/1981 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.”
This will be the date of return from Belize
“30/06/1981 ADA Cat 3 i.e. Temporarily out of service, on maintenance
or receiving modifications. Repaired on site (ROS) by
another unit or contractor.”
AC ex 1417 flt tended to suffer cat 3 damage that would be detected on there return. Tail structure due to engine runs without a proper tie down pan. Fuel leaks due to heat humidity effect on fuel tanks.
“08/09/1981 233 OCU R.A.F. Wittering
28/09/1981 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
29/09/1981 233 OCU R.A.F. Wittering”
Looks like it was moving about a bit. More likely a paper exercise just before repairs to XV752 were completed.
“19/11/1981 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
04.03/1982 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.”
Pretty sure 1 sqn went to Norway that winter so there may be pictures of it in Artic camouflage.
“12/03/1982 1 (F)Squadron R.A.F Wittering. Aircraft Coded ‘04’
Attended Leuchars air show September 4, 1982. Coded ’04’”
What happened to it during the WAR????? No record of it being down south
“04/07/1983 3 Squadron R.A.F Gutersloh, West Germany.
05/071983 IV (AC) Squadron R.A.F Gutersloh, West Germany.
08/07/1983 1 (F) Squadron, R.A.F Wittering.
17/08/1983 Transferred to R.A.F St Athan for a major service.”
?Another paper exercise? Wittering asked to give Germany a Harrier? They finally decide on 4 sqn. Then German realise they are been given a aircraft that is nearly due a major service and cancel the move.???
“19/12/1982 3 Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany.”
19/12/1982 assume it should be 1984
By: pagen01 - 25th March 2010 at 12:40
Interesting that, after I wrote the date I wondered if I was out by a year, but the official 4 sqn webpage does concur with ’89? Also aware that small number of tin Harriers were still on strength in the Jan of the following year.
Gutersloh Spotters excellent webpages do say ’90/’91 and I would certainly trust that as a source.
By: farde17 - 25th March 2010 at 11:52
[QUOTE=pagen01;1552855]
4 Sqn officially converted from its GR.3s, T.4s to 5s & 10s in Dec 1989.
hi
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1461253/artikel/StaffelstaerkenGSOHarrier.pdf
This shows that GR3 were still at 4 Sqn until the end of 1990. the last 2 leaving in Jan 1991.
By: pagen01 - 25th March 2010 at 08:30
Nice history KN, is it me or do the movement cards all end at 1986?
By: Kilonovember52 - 24th March 2010 at 20:01
Many thanks to all those who have had an input to this. Your help is really appreciated.
For those interested. Detailed below is the service history of Harrier XV752 as far as we can piece it together as the info after 1986 is a little sketchy. We are still awaiting info from 1 Sqn RAF and the IV (AC) Sqn association so this is still awork in progress.
SERVICE HISTORY HARRIER GR3 XV752
30/05/1969 First flight Harrier GR1 XV752 (c/n 712015)
27/08/1969 Delivery from Hawker Siddeley Aviation Dunsfold to R.A.F
Wittering.
28/08/1968 Harrier Conversion Team (HCT)
30/12/1969 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
13/05/1970 HCU / 233 OCU. Coded ‘52’
05/10/1972 Upgraded to GR1A.
08/11/1972 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
30/04/1974 Upgraded to GR3.
26/02/1975 ADA Cat 3R FLY i.e. temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications etc.
Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base
07/03/1975 71 MU R.A.F Bicester “Salvage and Transportation flight”
31/03/1975 Transferred to No 2 School of Technical Training R.A.F
Cosford as a ground instructional airframe.
22/05/1975 ADA Cat 3R FLY i.e. Temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications etc. Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base
Sept 1975 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F.Wittering.
04/05/1977 ADA Cat 3S i.e. Temporarily out of service, on
maintenance or receiving modifications.
07/07/1977 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
23/12/1977 ADA Cat 3 FLY i.e. Temporarily out of service, on maintenance
or receiving modifications. Post-categorization, the aircraft may be flown (or may have temporary repairs effected so that it can be flown), if necessary under special conditions, either to another site for repair or until a suitable date can be arranged for repair at its normal base.
06/09/1978 1F Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
15/06/1979 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
17/06/1980 1417 Flight Belize on rotation. Aircraft coded ‘M’.
29/05/1981 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
30/06/1981 ADA Cat 3 i.e. Temporarily out of service, on maintenance
or receiving modifications. Repaired on site (ROS) by
another unit or contractor.
08/09/1981 233 OCU R.A.F. Wittering
28/09/1981 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
29/09/1981 233 OCU R.A.F. Wittering
19/11/1981 1 (F) Squadron R.A.F Wittering.
04.03/1982 233 OCU R.A.F Wittering.
12/03/1982 1 (F)Squadron R.A.F Wittering. Aircraft Coded ‘04’
Attended Leuchars air show September 4, 1982. Coded ’04’
04/07/1983 3 Squadron R.A.F Gutersloh, West Germany.
05/071983 IV (AC) Squadron R.A.F Gutersloh, West Germany.
08/07/1983 1 (F) Squadron, R.A.F Wittering.
17/08/1983 Transferred to R.A.F St Athan for a major service.
24/05/1984 1 (F) Squadron, R.A.F Wittering
19/12/1982 3 Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany.
17/12/1985 ADA Cat 3 Temporarily out of service for repair following a
bird strike.
03/04/1986 Returned to service after repair with 3 Squadron,
R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘AG’
July 1987 3 Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘G’
Attended the Leeuwarden Netherlands air show July
10, 1987 Coded ‘G’.
1988 Attended the Aalborg Denmark air show November 3, 1988 Coded ‘G’
21/11/1989 IV (AC) Squadron, R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘S’
Dec 1990 Retired from operational service with IV (AC)
Squadron,R.A.F.Gutersloh West Germany. Coded ‘S’.
1990 Transferred to SoTT R.A.F Cosford as a ground instructional
airframe 9078M.
1995 On display in the Static park at the R.A.F Cosford air show.
Aircraft painted in 3 Squadron colours coded ‘B’
2002 Displayed on the deck next to the ski ramp of H.M.S
Invincible as part of the events to mark the 20th anniversary of
the Falklands conflict. Aircraft painted in 3 Squadron colours coded
‘B’
2005 Attended the RIAT R.A.F Fairford UK – England, July 16 & 17, 2005.
The Harrier was displayed in the static park on a low loader to
demonstrate the work of RAF recovery teams.
Aircraft painted in 3 Squadron colours coded ‘B’
18/07/2005 Delivered to 2366 (Bletchley Park) Squadron ATC for
ground instructional and gate guard duties.
Aircraft in 3 Squadron colours coded ‘B.
Ground instructional airframe 9078M.
By: Kilonovember52 - 24th March 2010 at 19:45
Stacey,
Yes she’s looking good on her new rubber. Thanks again for the help on this.
Thanks to the lead from Pagan we had these hard filled so they won’t deflate again.
We are currently in the process of having a permanent concrete hardstanding laid so the aircraft can be be placed and displayed on a firm base. This is partly a health and safety consideration for the cadets when they use the jet for their classification training.
We are still trying to get the ladders but have run into a bit of bureaucracy with our Wing HQ about having this kit on our assett register!
We are also trying to get the spare panels we need for the airframe and have written to the Harrier project team about this, especially about taking the parts from the derelict XV804 at North Luffenham.
We are aslo trying to get hold of some intake covers to stop the visitors to Bletchley Park climbing inside the intakes and to stop the birds nesting. The former will be resolved when the jet is on the hardstanding and we have a barrier fence around it. However, we are still working on getting the covers but no luck so far.
Once we get XV752 on to the hardstanding the plan will be to try and spruce her up with a new paint job.
By: Pondskater - 24th March 2010 at 14:51
ROS – Repaired on site (as opposed to RIW – Repaired in Works)
Cat 3 accidents are capable of ROS by another unit or a contractor.
Cat 2 would be repaired by the unit, Cat 4 taken to a Maintenance Unit or contractor’s site for repair and Cat 5 is beyond repair (write off).
Its the trouble with the RAF – too many TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms ;))
AllanK
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th March 2010 at 14:51
nice to see the history being sorted out now she has a new set of rubber on, did you get the ladders sorted out of cottesmore GEF then
By: pagen01 - 24th March 2010 at 13:45
ADA refers to a period when the aircraft wasn’t assigned to a squadron, ie temporarily out of service, usually on maintainance or receiving mods etc. Another thread on here says ADA actually stands for Aircraft Disposal Account.
4 Sqn officially converted from its GR.3s, T.4s to 5s & 10s in Dec 1989.
I believe that 71 MU was the aircraft recovery and transportation unit, but unable to verify at the moment, they were based at Bicester.
By: wieesso - 24th March 2010 at 12:39
http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK—Air/Hawker-Siddeley-Harrier/0335930/L/
Aalborg (AAL / EKYT) Denmark, November 3, 1988
XV752 / G (cn 712015) After active flying service it serves today a the SoTT (School of Technical Training, Cosford, serialled 9078M.
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March 24, 2010 at 12:17 pm