Harrier GR3 3(F) Sqn RAF Gutersloh Summer 1989

A day on 3(F) Squadron, RAF Gutersloh in the summer of 1989. Special thanks to Richard (Kiwi) Mackintosh, Charlie McIlroy and Robert Foulkes. Plus, the pilots, groundcrew and support personnel of 3(F) Squadron.
Although focused on the Harrier GR3, the squadron changed to the new Harrier II GR5 shortly after.

[@denniss.258]

I'm from Gütersloh, Germany and I've only seen the RAF Airfield in Gütersloh from outside when I drive there with the car. It's very interesting to see life at these Barracks and at the airfield but now the Brits left it and it's an abandoned place. It's a bit sad when you see this Video ans the airfield now. I thank you very much for this video👍

[@wayneschenk5512]

Last of the real fighter pilot with no computer in the mix.

[@robraver]

love that engine sound. Used to go look at these here in the Falklands when I was a kid..got to sit in one. Made my day, sat in a Phantom too but the GR3 was the best:)

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

Wow, the Harrier already had moving map display. That’s a pretty advanced technology for an aircraft in the late 80s.

[@hypergolic8468]

The Ferranti Internal navigation system was very advanced for the time (that said the US Navy in the Viking had similar capabilities in the late 1960s!). The system took a bit of time to warm up (as it was 1970's electronics). The rule, however, was if the system showed the pilot they were within a few miles of where the pilot thought they should be then it was correct, but if it was miles out, then the pilot was correct. Who knows with the threat to GPS spoofing etc we may end back up at internal navigation systems.

[@notmenotme614]

The moving map display on the Tornado GR1 and early GR4s were a roll of microfiche film with a lightbulb shining through it. As the jet flew along the roll of film would spool. Like a cinema projector. Part of the jets route was flying over an obvious landmark like a lake or reservoir, so that the aircrew could do a “planned fix” where they would readjust the moving map for any drift or error, by manually slewing it back to the correct location.

[@angusmcangus7914]

It had it from the early 1970s. It had been developed for TSR2 in the 1960s.

[@lepanhman]

Didn’t the F111 have a moving map display also ?

[@vivasangabriele1608]

These were The Days 🇬🇧🥁

[@robw3027]

This was great to watch. Those were the days? Sure seems so. Now sadly the whole RAF fast jet strength is less then RAF Germany when this video was filmed. Yikes.

[@remrettgorden2566]

I was taken here by my father around 1990, I remember at the bottom of the runway we had to wait at traffic lights to cross the runway!We were posted here BFPO and I was educated at Kings Schools, Manserh Barracks the worst school I have ever attended. RAF Gutersloh however did have great open air swimming pool!

[@nowlookatthat]

Brilliant - thanks for sharing! :-)

[@SimonWallwork]

I used to go gliding there withe the Pegasus GC. Lots of fun.

[@Lewisgaylard]

excellant!! really enjoyed watching this.

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Used to work on Barrier GR# the Engine eers used to work so hard to keep in the Air.

[@88SPIKE]

I was on 3 Sqdn at Geilenkirchen in 1962 when we had Canberra B(I)8s

[@allgood6760]

Cool vid.. we have a GR3 in a museum.. cheers from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@angusmcangus7914]

I flew them in 1975-79 on 20(AC) Sqn and 3(F) Sqn. We had a few Kiwi pilots who came to join the RAF and who were on Harrier - Arthur Gatland, Harry Karl and Ross Boyens were the ones I knew. I don't know where Arthur and Harry went but I think Ross is still here in the UK. I wonder if your GR3 is in my logbook. What's the airframe number?

[@allgood6760]

@@angusmcangus7914 XZ129.. 👍🇳🇿

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Pilots always get the credit.

[@Batlaw1]

My Dad was there '45 to '46!

[@neilkeepingitreal]

We used to have to run around that airfield for pt

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

We used to stRt up there systems and navigation system up for the pilots.

[@aczjbr]

good show

[@pedalz1115]

Charlie McIlroy only just recently retired from Cathay Pacific after a long career

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Was that the “Crowe Man “ out from Wittering in the ops room at the start 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

[@steveh5005]

When China graphic pencils were the 80s Ipad !

[@SingaporeSkaterSam]

Ground crew at 14:00 with Ice Man style.

[@Andy-fn4zw]

2:45 Supposed to shout "NOZZLES" when you move them sir.

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Ex 3sqn liney watching this video.

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Why not show the guys who serviced the Aircraft

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Harriers Gr3s on 3bSqn

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Was on 3 sqn from 198t5 til1987

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

3sqn

[@steveaustin9386]

Shouldn't Hardened aircraft shelter be HAS? I'm sure he's saying HES!

[@Dan_1941R]

Steve Austin I think it's his accent

[@Keyswiz71]

He's a New Zealander. ;-)

[@timransby1774]

@@Keyswiz71 Yes, he speaks English PROPERLY ;) ;) :D :D Let me know if you would like a translation

[@bryantimms9143]

They were called HES = Hardened Equipment Shelter , HAS = Hardened Aircraft Shelter. Spent 6 years on Harrier with No 1F in early 70's. Early Harriers did not have moving map displays they arrived about 1970.

[@notmenotme614]

HES was usually the Ops bunker, Comcen or one of the Engineering buildings.