VAAC Harrier

Thanks, not heard of that one but seen the effects in the very sorry looking F-100 and Mystere at Headcorn. I was looking at them on Sunday. They need putting out of their misery. I know at least one museum needs some parts from them.

ITAR is not the problem here but the loan system with the NMUSAF and the lack of anyone in the system who is prepared tomake a decision that will allow any of the loan aircraft move to new locations

Thanks, not heard of that one but seen the effects in the very sorry looking F-100 and Mystere at Headcorn. I was looking at them on Sunday. They need putting out of their misery. I know at least one museum needs some parts from them.

In a nutshell, (and in my limited understanding) the International Trade in Arms Regulations. The US governments way of controlling and protecting their interests. A good example is ex RAF Phantoms and why there are so few in preservation. The US are very touchy about where redundant equipment can go once it’s service life has ended. They were worried that parts from the RAF’s Phantom fleet, or indeed complete aircraft, once retired, could find its way into the hands of operators they perhaps didn’t want it to. As the VAAC harrier has US kit on it, they would want all of their stuff removed prior to its disposal to a museum or preservation group etc. However, as it’s gone on loan (I think!) to the RAF Museum, it may well have negated the need to remove anything. Should the RAFM dispose of it in the future, they prospective buyer would have to speak to the US and get ITAR approval to own it, or they’d just remove anything sensitive prior to it changing hands.

As the Aircraft has stayed in RAF Ownership, is there any issues with ITAR?

Wassat?

As the Aircraft has stayed in RAF Ownership, is there any issues with ITAR?

Hopefully the secret bits that have been removed will be separately preserved so they can be re-united at some future date.

Regards

Be surprised if it does – much of it is American owned and relates to the F-35

Hopefully the secret bits that have been removed will be separately preserved so they can be re-united at some future date.

Regards

That’s a great addition fro the collection at Cosford! 🙂

The VAAC is a unique Harrier, at one and the same time it was the oldest airworthy Harrier and the most advanced, as it could be flown fly by wire using the software being developed for the F-35. I for one am glad its been saved and the collection of experimental and developmnet aircarft at Cosford is the right place for it.

It makes perfect sense for it to go to Cosford. They must have one of the largest test aircraft collections in Europe

Is this actually on display at Cosford or pending display?

I don’t recall the RAFM having a Harrier trainer on its books

… and yet they had no interest in XT597. Bizarre.

I understand that it has gone to Cosford

Apparently been destined for there for a while, but there were issues with the cockpit fittings being still classified. Presumably this has been removed/resolved.

I understand that it has gone to Cosford