Backwoods Gourmet I was with VIA-331. We stood it up in Jan. of '85 and received the very first B models. We were down by VMAQ-2 when first stood up. When we finally moved back to the Harrier side, we were next to NARF. IYAOYAS
Then we were at the Pit at the same time. Good to here from my brothers from those days. We were right next to you guys. Hey, friend us over on FB facebook.com/backwoods.gourmetchannel
All aircraft age. Need replacement part. Now UK , never had a large fleet to begin with, across variants, but especially Harrier II after Falklands. So as airframes aged out due to use in Iraq 1 & II, and AfPak, they had to be placed into reserve for emergency, sent to States for rebuild, or disassembled for spare parts. Then even those parts began to wear to wear out, it became more difficult and expensive to keep em flying. Keep in mind the size of force. USMC alone is larger then entire UK Army + Royal Marines, not counting Reserves and Yeomanry. So when word came down about stand down of Joint Force Harrier, USMC, Spain, Italy, and India swooped in and bought as many of remaining parts and engines. Even spare wing assemblies were sold. To be fair USMC NAVAIR got lion's share of spares, with NATO allies getting most of the rest, and India got what India got. What is left in UK are emergency reserve airframes kept in flying order, few at Empire Test Pilot School, Imperial Air & Space Establishment, and emergency war reserve store of parts. Wanna know what really sucks. UK + NATO Allies are making same mistake and all new ones with Typhoon tranches. Not enough airframes for training, operations, reserve, and maintenance. Probably same for F-35B (RNFAA variant). USMC, RNFAA, Spanish Navy, and Italian Navy all need F-35B to replace Harrier II 1to1.
The AV8B Harrier II Plus is a beautiful vtol aircraft, I want it to remain operational for many more decades, and never need to be replaced from the useless f35.
Very well, they have to use the resources to repair harrier by keeping them operational for many more decades, and not replace them with the useless f35.
OOH RAA from a former Avionics Tech of VMA-231 back when we had to old AV-8A and changed over to the AV-8B in the 80's
Backwoods Gourmet I was with VIA-331. We stood it up in Jan. of '85 and received the very first B models. We were down by VMAQ-2 when first stood up. When we finally moved back to the Harrier side, we were next to NARF. IYAOYAS
Then we were at the Pit at the same time. Good to here from my brothers from those days. We were right next to you guys. Hey, friend us over on FB facebook.com/backwoods.gourmetchannel
MALS-32 here, assigned to 231 on deployment
I like the maintenance on planes for some reason, guess there is something about it that I jut like.
Unsung heroes
Big fan of the Harrier. Such a disgraceful move for our UK Gov. to get rid of every single one of ours.
An awesome aircraft!
All aircraft age. Need replacement part. Now UK , never had a large fleet to begin with, across variants, but especially Harrier II after Falklands. So as airframes aged out due to use in Iraq 1 & II, and AfPak, they had to be placed into reserve for emergency, sent to States for rebuild, or disassembled for spare parts. Then even those parts began to wear to wear out, it became more difficult and expensive to keep em flying. Keep in mind the size of force. USMC alone is larger then entire UK Army + Royal Marines, not counting Reserves and Yeomanry. So when word came down about stand down of Joint Force Harrier, USMC, Spain, Italy, and India swooped in and bought as many of remaining parts and engines. Even spare wing assemblies were sold. To be fair USMC NAVAIR got lion's share of spares, with NATO allies getting most of the rest, and India got what India got.
What is left in UK are emergency reserve airframes kept in flying order, few at Empire Test Pilot School, Imperial Air & Space Establishment, and emergency war reserve store of parts.
Wanna know what really sucks. UK + NATO Allies are making same mistake and all new ones with Typhoon tranches. Not enough airframes for training, operations, reserve, and maintenance. Probably same for F-35B (RNFAA variant). USMC, RNFAA, Spanish Navy, and Italian Navy all need F-35B to replace Harrier II 1to1.
@@dkoz8321 great clarification 👍.
LOL. Did the CO order a new set of coveralls for every one prior to this being filmed?
and what's with the fancy 1970s throwback paint job on the jet? AA Cunningham's name on the cockpit is pretty cool.
The AV8B Harrier II Plus is a beautiful vtol aircraft, I want it to remain operational for many more decades, and never need to be replaced from the useless f35.
Wauw, i'm Currently making this Beauthy as an full working scale model😃
Coin slots? The worst of the fasteners.
Very well, they have to use the resources to repair harrier by keeping them operational for many more decades, and not replace them with the useless f35.
hey borshard. nice flight suit
Thank you SSgt of Marines