One of the highlights of the 2004 London International Air Show was the presence of no less than four AV-8B Harrier IIs from USMC light attack squadron VMA-223, based at MCAS Cheery Point, North Carolina. More than 40 years after the first flight of the Hawker P.1127 prototype, the Harrier family is unique as the only vertical take-off jet aircraft in service (this is not likely to change until the F-35B variant of Lockheed Martin's Joint Strike Fighter enters service). Most of the Harriers flying now are second-generation AV-8B variants (originally developed and produced by McDonnell-Douglas back in the late 1970s/early 1980s, but now the responsibility of Boeing). First delivered to the US Marine Corps in 1983, Harrier IIs also serve with the Italian and Spanish navies and the Royal Air Force (in GR.5 and GR.7 variants).
Above: This was the only example of the AV-8B (NA) (Night Attack) version that VMA-223 sent to London. The (NA) variant is identifiable by the forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) fairing on the upper nose, behind the angle-rate bombing system (ARBS).
This shot gives a nice view of the TPS (Tactical Paint Scheme) camouflage on the upper surfaces. Of note are the chaff/flare dispensers scabbed onto the rear fueslage.
The tail markings are shown to advantage here, as are the all-moving horizontal tail surfaces. In particular, not the "EG" tail code; all of the other aircraft wore "WP." The paint on this aircraft shows signs of wear. A variety of interesting details on the tail, including the Reaction Control System (RCS) yaw outlets and radar warning receivers, are also visible.
The other three aircraft visiting London were the APG-65 radar-equipped AV-8B+ variants. This aircraft was my absolute favourite, sporting both mission marks and a very stylish sharkmouth. Anybody wishing to build a model of this aircraft can do so using Twobobs Aviation Graphics decal sheet 48-075, AV-8B NA/Super OIF Harriers.
#03, another AV-8B+, was the only one of the four Harriers on display with the jet nozzles in the hover position. This aircraft also has a baggage pod on the port mid-wing pylon.
#11 was the final member of VMA-223's V/STOL quartet, and certainly the cleanest-looking.
This close-up of the nose of #08 shows the FLIR fairing above the radome for the APG-65. The very visible panel lines and accumulated grime are noteworthy, as are the low-voltage "slime lights" on the fuselage side.
This view gives some idea of how the sharkmouth wraps around the underside of the nose. Just in front of the windscreen is a wind vane which lets the pilot know how the wind is blowing during the hover.
A marvelous shot of the sharkmouth and other markings on the nose. Note the different colour of the panel with the VMA-223 insignia. VMA-223 has an illustrious history. Under the command of Major John L. Smith, one of the Marines' highest-scoring aces, the Bulldogs were the first Marine fighters to fight in the skies over Guadalcanal. Smith won the Congressional Medal of Honor there, Captain Marion Carl won 2 Navy Crosses and also scored heavily,and VMA-223 itself won two Presidential Unit Citations. The squadron has remained in the front lines ever since, serving in a number of conflicts.
Markings under the starboard side of the cockpit on #08. Aside from the 13 GBU sorties flown during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the squadron insignia and pilot's name and callsign (note that the name is different from that on the port side - see photo #7 above), the heavy scuffing from aircrew and ground crew boots under the canopy and around the step and the very crude sealing around the canopy are of interest.
