Anti det maint for the flyers, whilst we dispose of the unserviceable “canoes” but it’s looking like all will be roaded out, as rolls royce support ends at the end of the year, Id imagine the specials will get allocated however fins can be changed if the airframe itself were required with low hours on it

the powers that be haven’t decided on disposal suppose they are seeing if theres customers, there will be for major spares from the other harrier operators however if that’s the case it’ll be a reduce to produce programme

Would the ‘canoes’ be just the fuselages of the aircraft?
I was lucky enough to go on a visit to Cottesmore just before the dreaded retirement announcement, the pilots seemed upbeat about the Harriers future but I do remember the CRO being convinced of the aircrafts demise.

During the visit we went into ‘Depth’? where BAe staff were working on the Harriers in what I recall was a nine month programme of rebuilding some of the jets, the hangar showed the various stages right up to a jet at the hangar entrance all complete ready for test flight.
What will happen to these partially complete jets? Are they the ‘canoes’ you speak of Stacey24b?

Fantastic shots, amongst the best I have seen of ‘Camo 506’

The last single seater from Boscombe Down flew out today !
One 2 seater (653) remains,but not sure if she will fly out or trailer out (she is airworthy !)
There is 1 more single seater – she was trailered in for a servicing just prior to the announcement and will be trailered away in due course.

Is the last single seater going to be included in ‘the’ flypast? They must have a job on their hands rustling up enough airframes for it………the Tories brought the curtain down on the Harrier in the RAF but dont forget it was Labour that cut JFH down to a level making any future Afghan deployments difficult to sustain and an easy target for cutbacks.

Last saw her Oct 7th at Cottesmore in 1 Sqns hangar.

Fantastic, thanks for sharing those.

[QUOTE=Dr Strangelove;1632917]Having not built the Nimrod or Canberra yet I can’t really comment, the Lightning was a great kit.

Mine from a while back- note the black filled panel lines that were in fashion in the model building world around about then 😮

Seeing that Lightning and Seafire has reminded me why I have resisted the temptation to resume model making left behind in childhood.
Those models are superb, I could never reach that standard.

Hunter, I would of course be very interested to know more about the incident – and the photo… do tell!

Bump/Page I don’t think there’s much chance of this new book being a proverbial “Bible” but I will strive to make it as interesting as possible. Unfortunately, much depends on commercial considerations and the aim is for a product which has a broad appeal. Inevitably, a “Bible” is a much bigger, expensive and less-imaginative product which therefore has far less appeal. Obviously it’s the sort of book that you and I would love, but commercially it’s a but of a non-starter. I guess something like this might appear one day but if it does it will inevitably come from one of the small specialist publishers that can afford to produce a short run of expensive books. Still, having said that, I will try and make my new book as informative and interesting as I can. You can never keep everybody happy though!

One of the essential ingredients for me is a liberal sprinkling of tales of derring-do from current and former pilots!
Judging by Jamie Hunter’s book on the SHAR, the best port of call for such tales is the Fleet Air Arm.

Should you embark on a trip like this again call in at Kenley near Caterham.
Although the camp area has been part developed with housing the airfield is still complete and not affected by any industrial additions (because it is on protected common land)
In fact it is now possible to walk the “Kenley Trail” around the perimeter track and observe some of the original e-pens from 1940.
The Officers mess is still standing but due for conversion to flats and the Airmans institute and parade ground are complete.
During the week the Surrey Hills Gliding club operate and it is possible to arrange a flight over this historic location where both Croydon and Biggin are easily visable.
Kenley never had quite the public exposure as Biggin but was an important sector airfield and is the only 11 group station that exists in its near original state.

Well said Pete, was there myself today, I go for a walk there every couple of weeks, and each visit is different in terms of feeling and atmosphere……great place!

By the way, great thread, what a well put together trip.