Cottesmore Harriers

[SoundmanJohn]

Just back from Cottesmore and slowly thawing out: after four days of trying to contact their media officer with no success, I lined up at the crash gate with everyone else and hoped to be left undisturbed for the recordings. Bitter wind and drizzle made the two hour wait rather trying, but the presence of an RAF-crewed wagon dispensing coffee, tea, soup and burgers made things slightly more tolerable and I suspect that they made a few bob for a good cause as well. The ceremony was delayed for half an hour or so, but the Harriers finally took off in pairs and went off for their assorted flypast duties. Good recordings, as far I can tell - haven't downloaded them yet, so fingers crossed! Then we all stamped our feet for a while until they came back for a final fly-over in groups of four, landed, and taxied past the crowds with the crews waving as they went. It was an extremely moving experience and well worth the wait in the cold. As I walked back to the car, I heard the final shut-down - all sixteen planes shut down together - which had an eerie final echo to it across the fields.

Anyway, I got a whole bunch of recordings, which I'll edit up and post for anyone interested in a day or two, but because of my location and the need to keep all hands free for the recording kit, not a great deal in the way of pictures; in fact I only took the little video camera and couldn't really get good shots with it, so I gave up in the end, but judging by the number of dedicated snappers there, I would imagine that there will be some fantastic pictures elsewhere.

Very short video clip here: http://gallery.me.com/johnsound/100155

A very subdued crowd at the end, although I suspect that the mood on the base was even more so. Imagine knowing that you'll never be able to fly such a remarkable piece of equipment again.

Best wishes,

John

[Clive From Canada]

Hi John;

Shame most of these unique aircraft will end up as scrap metal at the breaker's yards. I can't think of a single attack aircraft, helicopters excepted, that can remotely do what a Harrier can. Surely shortsightedness on the part of the politicians as usual.

Regards,
Clive from Canada.

[Gate Master]

Hi John;

Shame most of these unique aircraft will end up as scrap metal at the breaker's yards. I can't think of a single attack aircraft, helicopters excepted, that can remotely do what a Harrier can. Surely shortsightedness on the part of the politicians as usual.

Regards,
Clive from Canada.

Clive,
Yes the British Government again have passed the stupidity test with flying colours.....!

We have only 1 carrier left (with the demise of Ark Royal recently) and now no fixed wing aircraft to offer fleet protection for ships, marines etc..
I suppose the crew could stand on the deck and throw rocks....

I think we had better stay in port for the next 10 years until the new carrier (s) and F35 's arrive, although that may change too......

We need to get a few more Seafires flying !

Regards and Happy Christmas to you and your Mum
Andy

[Graham Haynes]

I'm hoping one well end up at Bentwaters! 

The Harrier's value to the scrap man will be limited as a large percentage of the airframe (wings in particular) is made of carbon composite material.

Agreed, yet another ridiculous decision from the politicians. It was a very sad day yesterday.
Regards.

Graham

Hi John;

Shame most of these unique aircraft will end up as scrap metal at the breaker's yards. I can't think of a single attack aircraft, helicopters excepted, that can remotely do what a Harrier can. Surely shortsightedness on the part of the politicians as usual.

Regards,
Clive from Canada.

[SoundmanJohn]

Here are the edited recordings: please feel free to pass the links on to any other interested boards/forums.

The take off sequence - shortened considerably!

http://idisk.mac.com/johnsound-Public/HarriersDepart.mp3

And one section of a landing sequence:

http://idisk.mac.com/johnsound-Public/HarriersLand.mp3

Add it to the "we'll never hear the like again" file...

Regards,

John

[stickandrudder]

I too think it's sad, that it's come to this, considering the 'updates' the aircraft have been recieving from British Aerospace at RAF Cottesmore. Seems alot of people have worked hard to 'improve' the breed, but now seems also a waste of time. I was lucky to see them, on the 24th of November, when I took a chance to see them for what I considered to be the last time for me, in RAF service.
I was sad to walk away from the 'fence', but at the same time, I was proud of the service they did, and remembered that it was a British design, which made the world stop and look.

http://stickandrudder.ning.com/profiles/blogs/harrier-the-last-days-raf
http://stickandrudder.ning.com/video/4ship-harrier-24112010
http://stickandrudder.ning.com/video/harrier-vid2-24112010
http://stickandrudder.ning.com/video/harrier-vid-1-24112010
http://stickandrudder.ning.com/video/away-be-gone-24112010
http://stickandrudder.ning.com/video/time-running-out-24112010


Gary.

[Clive From Canada]

Hi Graham;

Thanks for the information on the construction of harrier airframes. I'm not up on what theya re made of.

I know that we have had some of these remarkable aircraft appear here in Canada in the past at the big airshow held annually in Toronto. I know that the first time they appeared the crowd was in awe of a jet fighter that can fly forward, stop and back up and just do what Harriers do. Incredible design for sure.

As for aircraft carriers, Canada is just as foolish. Our sole carrier, HMCS Bonaventure spent ages in the naval dockyard undergoing a major refit that cost way over budget (of course!) only to have her sold for scrapping shortly after rejoining the fleet! Rumour was that she was actually switched at sea for a Chinese carrier somewhere in the Pacific and that one went to the breaker's yard instead. Why not? Bonaventure hadn't been used much since the refit and was in great shape.

Ah, politicians. Don't have much use for them.

Cheers,
Clive from Canada

[Spitfire crank]

I remember years ago being stopped on a not too remote highland road while two were refuelled Awesome sight as they just lifted off from where they stood by about 40 feet and then took off at high speed

Just like cutting up Ark Royal do the numpts we sadly elected know what they are doing?

Tony apologises for getting political but I wonder where we are going

[Snoopy]

what a crazy decision to scrap a fantastic fleet of fully serviceable Harriers -  shades of pre war uk, lets pray no one trys to invade in the next few years  - maybe re-arm the warbird fleet in time of crisis instead !!

Time for a UK home defence private air force that can't be axed  !

[stickandrudder]

what a crazy decision to scrap a fantastic fleet of fully serviceable Harriers -  shades of pre war uk, lets pray no one trys to invade in the next few years  - maybe re-arm the warbird fleet in time of crisis instead !!

Time for a UK home defence private air force that can't be axed  !

I learned yesterday, that there are 5 x GR.7 Harriers up at Cottesmore, which never reached GR.9A status, and from what I understand, people are still 'yapping' about a photo-call at the end of January, early Febuary. The ATC at the station is 'off' from the 15th of January. As for scapping them, thats going to be hard, as made of carbon-fibre, well most of them, 'scrapmen' would not touch them !! So until the 'boffins' come up with a plan/risk assessment/method statement, the will be with us a while yet.

Gary.

[stickandrudder]

John,

I wrote to RAF Cottesmore PRO, after hearing talk on the fence-line where you where, with regard to a possible last photo-call. Now to be fair, alot of members on other forums were well up for it, but there were some who were in doubt that it would happen. But it would appear if all goes to plan, on the 1st of March during the afternoon, we get one last look at them. John and others going, beware that most of the Harriers are dismantled and we are not sure how many remain intact (wings still on ) so it's a case of wait and see. Talk also of a Harrier display is on the cards. This could be in an hangar at Wittering, say the engine hangar at Wittering which had alot of money spent on it a few years ago, and you could eat your 'dinner' off the floor at one time. Plus it's not too far from the Gate. This maybe short-term though. Will update 'Banter from the mess' as soon has I hear anything.

Gary.

[ROBH]

Without entering the world of politics they will probably wish they hadn't scrapped them and the sight of the new Nimrods being torn up after spending all that money on them makes you cry. Looks as if we will never ever build anything British again and just buy off the yanks.

[Gingie]

Take a look at this thread on plane talk, the photos are stunning!

http://forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=9936&highlight=

[paul b]

 

  Wow, superb photos. 

    paul   

[SoundmanJohn]

Ummm...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15876745

John