Harrier Dubbed "Dirty Harry" At Fleet Air Arm Museum

Didn’t know that about ‘506, was the airframe included with the sale to the US?

Similarly, what has happened to the Jaguar XX119 and Tornado F.3 ZE791.

I can understand displaying combat veteran airframes but would also like to see these Retirement Schemes on display as well (if they’re not already).

Yes I know that we can’t expect every airframe to be saved/displayed and are not representative of the standard finish applied for Operations but these two in particular, plus ZG506, really stand out!

XX119 went to Cosford and ZE791 went to Leeming for parts recovery.

Given that only a couple of GR9’s have made it into preservation, I’m pleased they didn’t ‘waste’ (IMO) one of those spaces with ZG506… I think that was an awful scheme to apply to a GR9. No offence meant… But it didn’t float my boat!

Shame that ZG506 wasn’t allowed to go to a good home though.

Didn’t know that about ‘506, was the airframe included with the sale to the US?

Similarly, what has happened to the Jaguar XX119 and Tornado F.3 ZE791.

I can understand displaying combat veteran airframes but would also like to see these Retirement Schemes on display as well (if they’re not already).

Yes I know that we can’t expect every airframe to be saved/displayed and are not representative of the standard finish applied for Operations but these two in particular, plus ZG506, really stand out!

The aircraft sat for a year leaking oils -I shouldnt get too tied up on the dirtyness of her .

Stunning and I do like dirty old birds, glad to see she’ll keep the make up on, always adds a touch of glamour.

Shame that ZG506 wasn’t allowed to go to a good home though.

Excellent!

I hope they don’t decide to “prettiefy” it with a repaint, I think historic aircraft look better with some patina.

Dave Morris, Curator of Aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm Museum answers the above statement.

Regarding the aircraft being repainted- absolutely not. ZD433 was specifically chosen by the Curator of Aircraft Dave Morris specifically because of the condition it is in.

This is in line with the Museum’s continuing policy of critically analysing all of our aircraft as per the Corsair and Martlet or, when an opportunity arises, to acquire a totally authentic aircraft straight from service (in this case almost straight from Theatre) and preserve it as a truly accurate reference object for all time.

The yard stick we often use is- what if we were lucky enough to discover a completely original Sopwith Camel in a French Barn, in exactly the same condition as it was last flown in 1918. Wouldn’t we consider ourselves very lucky !. One day ZD433 will be 100 years old too.

There is a time and a necessity for repainting, rebuilding and refurbishing, and Corsair and Martlet projects are not feasible or practical to apply to every aircraft. There are also instances when what is before you is already valuable for the condition it stands in and no further restoration treatments are necessary.

I hope that allays some of the fears that some people clearly have regarding how original ZD433 will be maintained.

and pic from 15th December 2010

Magnificent

Another Dave Morris production. Preservation started immediately after retirement from service.

A treasure!

I hope they don’t decide to “prettiefy” it with a repaint, I think historic aircraft look better with some patina.