HMS Ark Royal - Last Ever Harrier (GR9) Launches, November 2010

These are the last ever Harriers to launch from the Ark Royal, as she heads from Newcastle to Hamburg for the ship's company's last ever foreign trip and 'run ashore'. Both the Harrier and Ark Royal are being de-commissioned (scrapped). A big thanks goes to the incompetent, self-conceited, greedy bankers and part of the coalition government's 'frugal' answer to appease them and plug the infamous 'black hole' of the recession. Thanks, Mr Cameron, I knew you valued the armed forces!
See more info at:-www.publications.parliament.uk...

[@D130596V]

served us well in the falklands sadly missed i was lucky enough to see them in action foolish to scrap them the US Marines are still flying them

[@Professorclown]

D130596V Hi mate, thank you, I appreciate your comment and I totally agree. I was D218365C, so not too long behind you, shipmate! Thanks for looking, take care, mihearty!

[@drewwilliams6888]

@G0INWAYBACK WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This sounds like too much common sense to me.

[@cecaca]

Then you underestimate the love for this great Aircraft & indeed this magnificent ship. Nice to remember the excitement, even if only for 8 mins & 33 seconds. Broke my heart when the Harrier left our shores :o(

[@X774M]

I wish the harrier was still in service an absoulate beuty it is

[@flyingphobiahelp]

Agree

[@kennethjones4578]

I wonder how our government could find £205 Billion for Trident but couldn’t find £900 Million to renovate the Harrier fleet. We have recently launched 2 new aircraft carriers: what aircraft are they flying off them as I don’t believe the replacements for them (the American F-35B) are actually ready and onboard yet. By the way, the F35B is inferior in range and g-stress to the F-35A and by far to the Eurofighter. Maybe we should have revamped the Harriers for a few years yet? Before the Falklands conflict, serious doubts were cast on the Harrier’s ability to fight supersonic aircraft such as the Mirage etc, it being subsonic. They were definitely proved wrong their. Maybe this is why the US Marines still fly them and have bought up some of our old airframes. The US Marines have always been more independent-minded then a their bird or grunt colleagues ...

[@stevensrspcplusmc]

MPOLSLAV it was a horrible plane!,! Lots of marine pilots lost their lives flying it.. 300-400 planes lost if not more.. . just google total harrier losses. my father flew in A6E intruders at MCAS cherry point.he was a bombardier navigator ... his squadron was VMAT(AW)-202.. his squadron was next to the first harrier squadron in the Marine Corps.. our family lost friends flying it.. it’s a widow maker.. big gimmick that killed lots of marines.. for little gain in capability...

[@stegorm]

@@stevensrspcplusmc if your losing that many planes then you need to train your pilots better.

[@jcsixties422]

@@kennethjones4578 It was all agreed that's what would happen. Then Jock Stirrup, who not long after retired on one of the the highest public sector pensions ever recorded, went behind everyones backs including his own light blue Harrier jocks, and hoodwinked baby prime minister cameron into a terrible decision costing the nation hundreds on millions and a decade of lost capability.

[@samward9294]

and here we are, eleven years later and the first active carrier strike group departs for the first time in over a decade. About bloody time if you ask me!

[@Professorclown]

The Harrier is an iconic aeroplane, not least because of its successful VSTOL capability. Without sounding patronising, I'm glad to hear someone of our next generation sounding so supportive and impressed of something becoming obsolete (in the UK). I really enjoyed my time on Sea Harriers, carrying out high power (HP) ground runs (especially onboard the Ark), airframe repairs, servicing, overhauls & generally getting them prepared for the pilots to break again!!! :-) Glad you like the vid!

[@Professorclown]

Well, excuse me. We were all freezing our *******s off, that day, and our hands were like blocks of ice - but, it was worth it - it was (sadly) a momentous occasion! Hope you like the vid anyway, despite the poor camera work ;-)

[@Professorclown]

You're absolutely right, it was totally the wrong decision to scrap the Royal Navy's Fleet Flagship, several other destroyers/frigates and all of the Harriers. Just look what flared up six months later - Libya! Funny that, what a strange twist of fate - you'd think someone had planned it. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@marindedonpingue7840]

It was an honor to have worked on the AV8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron VMA 211 Wake Island Avengers Airframes in a combat zone! Beautiful bird! Semper Fidelis! Rrah!

[@Professorclown]

Thank you for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Hopefully you might still see a British Harrier fly again, if someone keeps one flying for historic purposes i.e. to fly at air displays. We still have a few Sea Harrier FA2s down in Cornwall which the Navy use to train flight deck crews for fixed wing Ops training/handling. They start them up and taxy them around our 'Dummy Deck'. That was a sad day for the Royal Navy and for the British People. I hope you get your chosen career!

[@Professorclown]

I'm just back at RNAS Yeovilton now, doing my 'second line' time before I leave the Navy in 2015, after 27 years.

[@iloverolling82]

so sad to see them go!!! I was lucky enough to work on these beauties during Ex Auriga, best detachment I'd been on in my career. Never realised how much I'd miss working on the Harrier but glad I was able to work on them at all. BRING THEM BACK!!! thanks for the vid :)

[@Hildebertovenegas997]

I'm not British but it's sad to see the Harrier de-commisioned :( and they're gonna replace it with the F-35 -_-

[@robloxplayer7876]

+Hilde Venegas Yeah but the F-35's are fucking awesome.

[@Hildebertovenegas997]

RobloxPlayer how old are you?

[@robloxplayer7876]

Hilde Venegas It's an old account, ignore the name.

[@MaroonBugUK]

+RobloxPlayer The F-35 is absolutely terrible.

[@robloxplayer7876]

MaroonBugUK I've come to realize this.

[@mollycox1]

Such a sad day when they scrapped this beautiful aircraft, even bigger one when they scrapped the Ark Royal too, what is the government thinking??

[@Professorclown]

I totally agree. We (my Navy colleagues and I) were all gob-smacked at the government's half-baked and ludicrous decision to scrap these great British gems, as were 99% of the public we've spoken to since. It was an absolute slap in the face to such an innovative, iconic and brilliant feat of engineering (the Harrier) and such disrespect for our great nation's heritage, in flippantly scrapping our historic Flagship (Ark Royal). Thank you for your comment!

[@mollycox1]

professorclown Wish I didn't had to make such comments, like you say, ludicrous decision from those whose suppose to be running the country, its such a shame, there will never be another Harrier and a few years yet before they produce the next aircraft carrier!

[@greeny202ab]

Well said! The lightnings we are replacing it with may be a more capable aircraft but they have nothing when in comes to the beauty of this marvelous machine.

[@alinili5569]

They waste money everywhere but when it comes to keep old aircrafts on the air obviously not all they think about budgets like last Vulcan harrier concord many more

[@Mondeoman]

That they want to make an uglier carrier?!

[@aaroncunningham79]

Fucks me off that the decommissioned two british legends

[@pyadav285]

Whats the other legend you are talking about?

[@musicbruv]

Prranshu Yadav Ark Royal

[@pyadav285]

xfire7 lol

[@HMSDaring1]

Must be even more pissed off now, everything in this video was decommissioned, staff included most likely XD

[@derekkelly6218]

Aaron Cunningham l

[@webslinger48]

One of my favorite planes ever going all the way back to when I was ten.

[@Professorclown]

I think it was the same for many of us. Amazing, versatile aircraft, with a unique role (STOVL/VSTOL). Great planes to see in action, but also at air displays (with a decent, brave pilot!). :0)

[@jwagner1993]

From Brazil, my deepest feelings of admiration, respect and sorrow for such historical loss to the seas.

[@guillermoalvaradoflores8698]

mee too from Honduras C.A

[@rohaisey]

Fantastic video, the Harrier is by far my favorite plane of all time, the only thing on my bucket list is to see one fly! It was also educational for me in a way, my lifes goal has been to join the Navy and fly jets, your video is the 1st good one I've found, there mostly seem to be US ones around. Wish the Harrier would have still been in service instead of introducing the F-35.

[@milvipes]

Should have kept it until the late 2010s, when the number of F-35 builds up.

[@ianrkav]

The F-35's won't be in British service until about 2020 at the earliest! Current aircraft and carriers shouldn't be retired until the new stock is in service. The RN currently has no offensive/defensive aircraft and is only really a maritime patrol service at present!

[@Professorclown]

ianrkav You're absolutely right. We are now a disgrace. We have NO 'Strike Capability', therefore, in the eyes of the world, the UK is now an easy target. The RN is (at present) a shadow of its former self. This is all because of self-serving, incompetent, politically correct (weak) government.

[@ianrkav]

Well, apart frrom Nuclear submarines and Tornado GR4, and to a lesser extent Typhoon. The surface fleet has no strike capability as of yet. I don't think they carry Tomahawk or similar!

[@fdx723]

ianrkav I think the British government know alot more than you on how to protect are nation, people are just upset to see a plane go now this country could defend and attack with in minutes of notice.

[@ianrkav]

Do you mean 'a lot,' 'our' and 'within'? I would say the military know a lot more than the government on how to protect our nation, and the military protested the loss of the Sea Harriers and GR7's/9's and carriers, by showing that it would leave a significant gap in our defensive/offensive capabilities until the arrival of the super carriers and F-35! At present our only fixed wing capability lies with Typhoon FGR4, whilst brilliant in its air defence role has limited offensive capability,and the ageing Tornado GR4. About half these aircraft are currently grounded due to lack of spares! I accept this nation could put up a limited air,sea and land defence within minutes of notice against our own shores but any sustained large scale attack would take much longer to mobilise against and I think we would find ourselves wanting. Our military is in a sorry state!

[@rentaghost]

A superb testament to the guys and girls on board the Ark. We love the Harrier, and we love the Ark. God bless to all

[@alexpaumen3937]

those harriers really cleaned off the deck

[@beefchops1400]

Fabulous carrier group from top to bottom! 🇬🇧😊🇬🇧😊😎😎

[@Professorclown]

Absolutely. The new carriers seem to be a lot better designed e.g. aircraft lifts at the side, rather than in the middle of the runway (when they broke, they knocked out fixed wing/strike capability)........ They look a lot more 'roomy' inside, too, judging by the latest documentary series on them. 👍

[@peterjayy]

Spot-on, this is written in Cmdr `Sharkey` Ward`s book, Sea Harrier over the Falklands. Recommended reading and full of facts.

[@Professorclown]

Hi, they needed the ramp just to 'help' them get airborne when they were fully laiden & fully fuelled up, to save over-stressing the engine. When they returned from their sorties, they would then be light enough to 'land on' vertically. Hope this helps.

[@Scotsmanful]

Die Harrier ist eins der besten Kampfflugzeuge der Welt und wird es immer bleiben. Was ihn so effektiv macht ist auch das er ein sogenannter Jump Jet ist. Das Waffenarsenal ist sehr umfassend. Ich persönlich denke das er ein Alptraum für feindliche Truppen ist. Ich kenne Harrier Piloten die meiner Meinung sind. Zudem kann der Harrier aus hoher Geschwindigkeit fast sofort in den Schwebeflug übergehen. Die beste Flugzeugtechnik überhaupt.

[@Professorclown]

eins zwei Vielen Dank , ich schätze Ihre Kommentare, und ich stimme zu , war der Harrier eine so vielseitige und in der Lage Flugzeuge mit seinen Blau Vixen Radar und Raketen AAMRAM suite. Es wird fast ireplaceable sein . Ich hoffe, dass mein Deutsch ist nicht so schlecht !

[@Professorclown]

Thank you, for your heartfelt comments. I (and I assume) and the rest of the serving members & veterans of our armed forces share your sentiments. We should all be proud patriots. However, the more cynical amongst us know that our great country is no longer what it used to be. That was indeed a sad and momentous day. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. Kind regards.

[@lietajucevajceulejmi7264]

I like the Harrier yet. Also love the spitfire, and tempest. Great planes and Harrier yet is the hallmark of British aviation. No plane like it.

[@guillermoalvaradoflores8698]

it would be better if they were supersonics...there was aprogram for the Supersonic Harrier,for politic could not be possible, there for was a good aircraft.

[@Then.72]

@@guillermoalvaradoflores8698 the Engineers made a Supersonic engine for them which was the P.1154 but was funded by the government! They chose the Subsonic P.1127 which still made the Harrier perform superbly during dogfighting & the P.1154 design was used for today’s F35B

[@thefroggydoo]

Since these were GR9s and therefore Ground Attack aircraft, these weren't replaced. We have Tornado GR4s already operational and we will have the Harriers' replacements, the Lightning IIs, operational at the end of the decade.

[@ShowPolitics]

Cameron still does value our armed forces, something the other leaders don't, he is the only person to keep Britains defence budget at the 4th highest in the world and two new super carriers are on the way, these carriers were outdated and the new class will have an unprecedented amount of fire power.

[@jimb9063]

For small birds,they weren't half noisy! Wanted to fly these things for years,until a less than perfect eye test brought me back down to earth!

[@sebastiaomendonca1477]

you dont need even close to perfect eyesight to qualify for the air force, look up your local requirements, you might still be able to

[@jimb9063]

@@sebastiaomendonca1477 Hey man, yeah thanks for that. Bit late for me now.The country would be in trouble if they needed me at this age! I wanted to specifically fly planes off of ships(and hopefully back again). If I had suceeded however, it wouldn't have been for long. For the first time in 100 years, the RN didn't fly planes off ships for a number of years right in the middle of what would have been my "career", so don't feel too bad for me!

[@jumpjet1152]

Not as well though I mean scrapping the most deadly jet in history and an icon of British aviation

[@kevinbaboolal4225]

lol wut, how is the harrier the most deadly jet in history? if you had said the mirage 3 or hawker hunter you might have had an argument but the harrier is no where close to the most deadly in history

[@TOMVUTHEPIMP]

If by "deadly" you mean crashed 3X more than any other aircraft, then yes you are correct.

[@trainboyben7718]

Damage, Inc. *insert joke about the F-104 killing most of the German airforce and being called the widow maker here*

[@mausmice9746]

@@TOMVUTHEPIMP it was the pilots not the plane

[@RaySpainPlayer]

Look at that rescue Sea King perfectly keeping station with the ship! A team of professionals.

[@craigsimons817]

RaySpainPlayer It’s actually an AEW version, note the radome below the fuselage. That said, you’re right, this is fantastic footage of consummate professionals. Sadly missed.

[@Professorclown]

Thank you, I appreciate your sincerity.

[@megaduce104]

don't you just love the sound of those engines.. thats enough to make me NOT retire the harrier..

[@jonofalltradesmasterofnone832]

My late father worked on these amazing aircraft as a Radar design and development engineer, a true VSTOL aircraft for all Arenas of war land or sea. My pride in that will never go away what a waste we got rid of them and now are buying the overpriced F35s no comparison Harrier every time.

[@Professorclown]

Thank you, but that day it was absolutely freezing across the flight deck, due to wind chill (hence the shaky footage) and our hands were like blocks of ice. We all wonder when (if!) we'll get the replacement for the Harrier, who knows - we'll have fantastic carriers, with nothing decent to put on them!...

[@vicsaul5459]

concur, new carriers but no new harriers, one without the other doesn't make sense, twas the perfect carrier aircraft, go anywhere, land anywhere. falklands proved that, dumb, not progress.

[@Professorclown]

@LukRacer - You're welcome, glad to help!

[@Professorclown]

No, the TSR2 was a 60's (maybe even 50's) design and was extremely advanced for the era, as it was designed for the cold war. It was an extremely fast, low-level aircraft, designed (I believe) to come in way below Soviet radar. Labour scrapped the whole project and opted for (again) the Americans - the phantom, which apparently had loads of issues (history repeating itself with the JSF!). I think most of the nation was disgusted with the government then. They are all the same - treacherous!

[@_HONK]

off a amazing ship into a new future. Goodbye my jumpy friend...

[@dylanmilne6683]

I don't think I ever got too see a British Harrier at an air show or anywhere else for that matter.

[@mikeymarmalade]

Dylan Milne they always bowed for the crowd - an amazing sight

[@AlesLjubljana]

Info for the modelers. First is ZD351 with red fin, than starts ZG506 grey camo, next is ZD487 grey camo, and finally ZG477 red white red tail.

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

Wow, what an aircraft, but what a noise! I don't envy the guys working on deck!

[@g2macs]

I can vouch for that, whilst hovering it is so loud it shakes your internal organs ( very similar to loud sub woofers in a car) I was only 30 feet away and I think the pilot was showing off to his family by hovering a bit too close to the Arks flight deck (Portsmouth Open day)

[@BAParanormalGroup]

yes they were! 25 enemy planes shot down without a single loss in air to air combat in the falklands! 700mph vertical take off and land capable! 800 mile range, 30mm Aden cannon and a variety of explosives including 1000lb bombs, rockets and sidewinder missiles! One of very few planes that saw active service in the Falklands, West Germany in the Cold War and in both Gulf wars! yes this was a mighty plane!

[@camrenwick]

They did their job. Kept the peace during the cold war. Probably frightened the shit out of the Warsaw pact. I saw them while serving with BAOR Great British engineering.

[@Captoris]

Such a shame to loose such icon's on the air and sea

[@Professorclown]

You're probably right. I reckon so. The 'Sea Harrier' FA2 ('Harrier I') had to be scrapped due to fatigue issues (numerous stress cracks along the rear fuselage), but the GR 7/9 Harrier ('Harrier II') had no fatigue or major crack issues, as far as I am aware. The government (allegedly) had to make cutbacks somewhere - it was a toss up between Tornado and Harrier and, unfortunately, the better aircraft lost out. A real pity, but that's politicians for you...

[@Professorclown]

You're welcome. I'm just surprised it's gathered this much interest. Unfortunately, there will be no more footage like this for the foreseeable future. Glad you like it though!

[@Professorclown]

Hi John, the original Sea Harrier FA2 was scrapped due to the fleet being old/tired (airframe fatigue) & scrapped due to airworthiness issues. However, the GR9 fleet was still perfectly ok, with no issues. In fact millions were ploughed into modifying the GR7 fleet to convert them to GR9s (BAE/RAF 'JUMP' project). The GR9s were scrapped on a whim by devious politicians - Labour probably would have done the same, who knows? The GR7s/9s didn't have radar as they were purely ground/attack aircraft

[@gayusbaldar7630]

Utterly beautiful!!

[@RIVERINE]

The U.S. Marines adopted this aircraft for CAS about 40 years ago, and still fly them today! What an outstanding concept for a single-engine jet! Hats off to the original idea for this!

[@alexdonnedavis]

Watching these videos makes me even more depressed that the mighty Harriers were decommissioned. :( Such awesome planes!

[@allgood6760]

Awesome vid... cool plane 👍

[@sergentcolon1]

The Sea Harriers were retired a couple a couple of years ago with no replacement and the navy have had no airborne defence capability since.

[@Pedro8k]

Was a crazy idea of some pen pusher leaving the Navy for nearly 10 years without any carriers or VTOL aircraft when they decided they were obsolete remember we could not of won the Falklands back 40 years ago without them Spain and the us marines still use them

[@MrAirwolf21]

Nice to see someone on here who know what they are on about! Yep totally agree there, my question would be why didnt they spend the extra cash and put vixen into the GR9?! All these armchair warriors who were moaning about no harriers during the libya conflict had no idea about the GR9's severe lack of capability

[@99IronDuke]

Looking forward to the two new carriers entering RN Service.

[@Professorclown]

Hi there, this particular helo was there with the BBC camera team to get better footage (than on deck) of the last ever Harrier/Ark Royal launches. However, there is (was!) usually a 'duty SAR' (Search & Rescue) helo nominated to stand by during all launches, just in case an aircraft went over the side or 'ditched' just after take off due to technical faults and the aircrew needed to be rescued. Hope this helps.

[@richardwilliams5312]

Very very sad we wont see them anymore :(

[@Professorclown]

It is a genuine travesty, as the Harrier was an ingenious, radically iconic and, more to the point, a brilliant example of british engineering at its best. Yes, it is lamentable that these fantastic warbirds had their lives and legacy cut so drastically short. Amen….

[@rizlar38]

somebody explain to me why we have built 2 carriers to fly stol/vtol aircraft that are 3 times the size of the illustrious cariiers it looks like someone didnt have a clue what they were doing. this size carrier is great for cat and traps but why use verticul aircraft on this size ship ( i do believe we should have these ships )

[@matthewobrien3527]

Catapult system is more expensive?

[@1chish]

EMALS didn't work in 2010, didn't have a priuce tag and the builders couldn't give guarantees. So they stayed STOVL as intended. In 2020 the only EMALS ship is the USS Gerald R Ford. And that cosy $18 Bn and its EMALS still doesn't work ..

[@Professorclown]

I know, I totally agree. Ironically, my family & I are going on holiday to Turkey in July and we'll probably get to see the Ark Royal as she is earmarked to be scrapped there. The spectre of the Ark seems like it will haunt us to the very end...

[@davidmatthiesen1494]

2 mins 58 sec. Perfect portrait.

[@michaelgarforth3526]

I was on HMS Ark Royal Fixed Wing Carrier As a Tractor Driver.

[@Professorclown]

I know, it was a sad and historic day. One that not many patriots will forget, but for all the wrong reasons. Why do that to the 'Fleet Flagship', of all the Royal Navy's vessels? A total slap in the face to us all.

[@Professorclown]

You're welcome. I was on Auriga too, but it was a bit of a blur, for some strange reason ;-) I worked on the Harriers too, as I was Ark Royal's NDT technician. What a fantastic trip, and I met some great people on there, the Fort George and in the States. Hope you enjoyed it too, but how dire to get back home and be kicked in the teeth by the government - 'the enemy within'!!! We might as well work for the Chinese, the Russians or even Al Qaeda, but alas, we keep the faith!...

[@sergentcolon1]

It was designed to be able to take off from German autobahns after runways and airfields had been destroyed by the Russians if the cold war ever became hot. However it did become a superb CAS aircraft and the Sea harrier mk2 was one of the best fighters ever developed, it combined superb agility with the best radar ever fitted in a fighter aircraft. By scrapping the Harrier the ConDems have removed a vital of our military capability.

[@roasthunter]

It was a shame to see the aircraft carriers decommissioned and the jump jets sold off. Great to see the British built HMS Queen Elizabeth leave for sea trials earlier this week. End of the day in 7 years we don't ultimately seem to have suffered from it, fortunately we have not had to substantially defend ourselves against any real threats and the reality is the UK is still running a big deficit so further tightening of the belt is needed.

[@Professorclown]

Yes, you're absolutely right, but maybe it was just a case of 'good luck' that we didn't need a task group throwing together, at the last minute - we would have been up a well-known creek, with a leek! Thanks for your comment.

[@roasthunter]

Yeah could well be luck I agree, I would like to think that when making the decision that it was based on some intelligence about the likely threat and requirement for a carrier in the timelines between the new ones coming on stream.

[@Professorclown]

Thank you. Most people seem to say the same. This was such a massive mistake by the British government, especially when Libya flared up six months later. We now have no strike capability for the foreseeable future, which is an absolute abomination for our self-conceited government and totally embarrassing for the British people. Thanks again for your thoughts!

[@Professorclown]

No, the Ark did not, as far as I'm aware it was HMS Hermes (very similar looking). I was in technical drawing at school, when the Falklands kicked off. I didn't even have any inkling I was bound to join the Royal Navy then! Hope this helps.

[@edwardtheconfessor3095]

Britain and the European allies should of come up with a harrier replacement instead of buying the F-dirty 5 lightening.

[@flyingphobiahelp]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@alexaga3247]

For small carriers Harrier is optimal variant. F-35 has a fan additional to engine, it is not true Vertol and additional problems.

[@Solidboat123]

@Leftopeningdoors The carriers were deliberately designed to be changeable between STOVL and CATOBAR from the start - the only additional cost should be that of the required catapult and arrestor gear systems.

[@Professorclown]

Well mate, you know what these young officers are like. He was just a token effort, I think. He was actually one of the better ones and nobody really cared, as it was the Ark's last ever (foreign) trip. I know exactly what you mean though!

[@america14684]

It is no wonder we are allways grovelling to the U.S. when we have the technology to build things ourselves BAE & the best engines too Rolls Royce. Especially Cameron & his group of croonies.

[@Professorclown]

It was quite funny, that launch, the CFD got really irate with some of the civvy film crews, up in the 'graveyard', to the starboard side of the ramp. As you can see, he was frantically waving at them to get off 'his' flight deck. Oh, I did laugh! You're right though, those chockheads are right prima donnas - total control freaks. We grubbers used to have the last laugh though, when we HP ground run the bollocks off the Harriers at 0300 for a couple of hours! XD Happy days!

[@F1Oversteer]

the Harrier would still be going strong if it wasnt for budget cuts. In fact the old Sea Harrier was a brilliant air to air fighter even though it was sub sonic. Just check its Falklands record

[@Solidboat123]

@Leftopeningdoors The CGI videos of them are in STOVL configuration because the Government originally intended to purchase the F-35B (which is why they are also in the videos). They're not going to advertise it with CATOBAR set-up when the Government has already said they want STOVL. However, they still designed them to be changeable in case the Government changed their minds (it's not like it hasn't happened before)

[@jumpjet1152]

I will agree with that getting rid of the only close suport fighter we have cheers Dave

[@MrGeforcerFX]

+joseph walker Both the Tornado and Typhoon do the CAS mission as well.

[@dylanmilne6683]

+Mr. GeforcerFX Neither Tornado or Typhoon can take off from a carrier or hover however.

[@davidandrews2670]

Jumpjet the Harriers were cancelled under Labour and under Labour the Fleet was halved in pretty much everything

[@kieronsmith4500]

Great vid, awesome to watch taking off but why is aeo only checking stbd before launch?

[@Professorclown]

Kieron, in all honesty, I don't really think the AEOs knew what they were doing - especially 'on deck'. That particular AEO was a young lieutenant, who was genuinely a decent guy, but they just don't have the engineering experience, knowledge or prowess to do their job to a fully competent level. It takes years to understand these aircraft systems.

[@The_KDN]

Nice Sound

[@leonardodelcardo7819]

A great aircraft, i love it!!!!.I always believed that in Argentina we had useless politicians ... but I see that we suffer the same problem.Very sad end for this plane. I also thought that withdrawing the harrier was a way to speed up the entry of the F35

[@roverade1]

a sad day indeed, thanks for nothing Dave

[@Professorclown]

Totally agree, but I would have gone a tad further and said "thanks for the kick in the bollocks, Dave!"….

[@america14684]

I allways thought our air force had some superiority over the U.S. becaue it is Royal, it belongs to her Majesty. Will there be anything to replace our Tornados,? Man ,was I pissed off when they were decomissioned. The government already decomissioned our Harriers. I know we have the Eurofighter, but I felt our Harriers were allways something so special, especially after their service in The Falklands.

[@vicsaul5459]

beautiful invention!..most versatile aircraft ever built

[@Professorclown]

Absolutely! Genuinely such a real tragedy that they decommissioned the Harrier and the Ark Royal - WAY too early, on both counts. The Harrier is still in service with some nations, so it is still a very worthy aircraft.

[@Professorclown]

I absolutely agree. I'm 43 and I've now seen enough politicians and governments to state that they really are just as bad as each other - pathetically incompetent, corrupt to the core and totally self-conceited, as are their bed partners 'the bankers'. Totally sick of them all and now (sadly) looking to emigrate to more reasonable shores, as sadly, the UK does indeed seem to be heading down a well known creek, without any safety gear, paddles and a puncture (just to top it all!).

[@SaltySeabisc]

its because its effectively a flying engine, almost all the fuselage is a huge jet engine

[@Solidboat123]

@mr9396 I think the navalised Typhoon has been 'theorised' rather than actually developed. Apparently there are many issues with its suitability for carrier use. Personally I think we should just get the F/A-18 E/F, the EA-18G, and the E-2 Hawkeye

[@NormanArches]

I like the cut of your jib, Sir. The only difference I can see between Blair and Cameron is that Cameron hasn't cried in public yet. But then I guess his campaign team hasn't forced him to press the flesh at Kenssy Fried Chicken, Dalston yet.And to try one of their 1.99 Weekday Special Meal Deals. Then we'd see the tears, I assure you.

[@Professorclown]

John, sorry for the late reply. All up weight, is just that - the total weight of the a/c once it is airborne (there are break downs of aircraft weight, such as 'payload', usable fuel, unusable fuel, etc.). There is so much to say here, but not enough space - the UK governments are systematically undermining our armed forces e.g. take the (British) TSR2 project - a fantastic aircraft and would even perform outstandingly by today's standard (if modified accordingly). That was Labour's fault, then

[@ryanlim2002]

A song once told of Britain Ruling the Waves... Seems with the demise of the Ark Royal and the Harriers... It seems that for the first time, Britain doesn't seem to Rule much of the waves or have the fleet projection power it used to have.

[@Solidboat123]

@mr9396 (cont.) Also, there is a dedicated electronic warfare version of the Super Hornet (the EA-18G), and the Super Hornet can be used as an airborne tanker. Neither of these capabilities are offered by Typhoon

[@raynus1]

I saw the Ark Royal up close & personal during a harbor tour of Portsmouth in 1987. Sad to hear she's been chopped up.

[@rgrigio]

Those planes gave a nice punch for little carriers...

[@petunized]

"a 6-1 kill ratio was achieved by the sea harrier against the then new Eagle" this is one of the stories you feel yourself comfortable to believe in

[@TyphoonDelta1]

It beggers belief that our government could scrap such a great aircraft as the harrier, all the years of development thats gone into it just to be thrown away, why the hell hav'nt they instead developed a supersonic version with modern avionics & FBW control?? it was studied in the 70's & proved it could be done !! I will miss the Harrier greatly...

[@matthewobrien3527]

It sure would be nice if UK could augment their 2 big fleet carriers with 2 smaller, STOL/VTOL carriers and an amphibious force. This would not only bolster NATO in European waters but could deploy to the Indian Ocean and Singapore.

[@Professorclown]

The thing is, the Royal Navy just isn't what it used to be, in either size and capability. There are many configurations we could have, such as the one you suggested, but the governments always seem to get it wrong. We still haven't got a FULL strike capability for our new carriers - highly embarrassing........

[@condemned75]

And yet didn't they design the entire carrier AROUND the F35B? Absolute craziness. I stand by my previous comment. We'll end up with men on the deck of a raft with high power catapults and pockets full of stones.

[@KamikazeKerr]

And there goes the last symbol of British aviation greatness.

[@TheGwunt]

Honestly? The Typhoon wasn't ready even when the F3 was scrapped. There were a couple of squadrons but only a few of the airframes were actually combat ready. 6 Squadron at RAF Leuchars only had a few Combat airframes and they were only for QRA.

[@america14684]

Same here. professorclown is a very intelligent man I must say.

[@pmckinlay653]

Sad to see them go. Invincible nearly ended up as HMAS Australia... Maybe our new conservative government (who seem to like rubbing people up the wrong way:i.e Indonesia) will buy some F-35Bs for our new Canberra Class LHDs. That would be interesting!

[@timberVS816]

I was under the impression HMS Ark Royal was going to be named HMAS Sydney if she had entered service in the RAN.

[@fdsdh1]

yes we could, we have the technology just not the funding, I think the new carriers (QE class) in some ways may be a stepbackwards, it would be better to have more smaller carriers, so that means if you lost one you would still have the capability to fight back, big ship= big target, for the USA this is not a problem because they just have loads of big carriers