The final bow

K.S.H · 15-12-2010, 19:02

Be hard to replace, what a fantastic bit of kit thats been

BBC News - Last trip for one of Britain's iconic aircraft
Harrier jump jets fly into retirement

Less · 15-12-2010, 19:34

Yes and only 8 years earlier than expected, with aircraft carriers planned that will be commissioned around 20?? then waiting another 8? or more years before they have aircraft.

No wonder we should all sleep feeling safe in our beds.

cashman · 15-12-2010, 20:09

well whats the betting the argies will have another pop at the falklands in the next 10 years?

the harrier was a great bit of kit in its day, now outa date, but to scrap it wi no immediate replacement is sheer stupidity to me, still better that than reducing foreign aid.

Mancie · 16-12-2010, 00:52

This has nothing to do with the harrier being outdated ..it's got everything to do with the governments defence cuts..it seems it was more or less a toss up between the vulcan bombers or the harriers for aircraft to be cut... this mob are playing a very dangerous game.
BBC News - Struggle at the top over decision to scrap UK Harriers

Neil · 16-12-2010, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

well whats the betting the argies will have another pop at the falklands in the next 10 years?

I have said before what I think we should do if they do.

wadey · 16-12-2010, 09:55

There's some great photos in the media of the various fly pasts

accyman · 16-12-2010, 09:59

yup teh argies will have anothe rpop especialy now large oil deposits have possibly been found there in the falklands

mind you if there is oil there you can sure bet teh good old USA will want some of teh action the nexttime around

DaveinGermany · 16-12-2010, 15:14

Senseless waste ! The tornado fleet would have been better scrapped than the Harriers. The imbeciles responsible need to hope we really don't have a major set to outside of our own doorstep in the next x years.

The UK is turning in on itself, what a sorry state for a once proud nation.

Tealeaf · 16-12-2010, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie

This has nothing to do with the harrier being outdated ..it's got everything to do with the governments defence cuts..it seems it was more or less a toss up between the vulcan bombers or the harriers for aircraft to be cut... this mob are playing a very dangerous game.
BBC News - Struggle at the top over decision to scrap UK Harriers

Mancie...you idiot...the Vulcans were retired about 20 years ago. There's only a couple of them left.. there's one at Blackpool airport and there is another undergoing restoration to full flying capability. There may be one or two more in museums.

I think you're getting confused with the Tornado, which was never that much good - look how many, proportionatly were lost during the first Gulf War.

But you're quite right about degrading our defence capabilty and all the civilian industry skills associated with it. Cameron, Clegg and and all the other Tory-Lib scoundrels should be put on a charge of high treason.

Boeing Guy · 16-12-2010, 16:27

There was less fuss when Labour retired the Sea Harrier back in 2005. Leaving the Royal Navy with empty aircraft carriers.
FA2 Sea Harrier - VSTOL Fleet Defence Fighter Aircraft - Naval Technology

Land Harriers are not designed to be used at sea and are not built to deal with salt water.

It is a shame though.

Barrie Yates · 16-12-2010, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy

There was less fuss when Labour retired the Sea Harrier back in 2005. Leaving the Royal Navy with empty aircraft carriers.
FA2 Sea Harrier - VSTOL Fleet Defence Fighter Aircraft - Naval Technology

Land Harriers are not designed to be used at sea and are not built to deal with salt water.

It is a shame though.

Pretty sure that RAF Harriers were drafted to the Navy for the Falklands War. They are /were doing more tp help[ our troops in Afghanistan than Trident is

Boeing Guy · 16-12-2010, 16:47

The Vulcan at Blackpool was one of the reserve aircraft for the Falklands campaign. It was chopped up a few years ago. A real shame

cmonstanley · 16-12-2010, 17:42

and selling sea king rescue helicopters and relying on private firm for sea search and rescue

jaysay · 16-12-2010, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmonstanley

and selling sea king rescue helicopters and relying on private firm for sea search and rescue

To replace them would cost upwards of 7 or 8 billion pounds, you and Mancie have a whip round as there's out int coffers and after all its only reviving a policy first brought forward by the last government

Mancie · 16-12-2010, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tealeaf

Mancie...you idiot...the Vulcans were retired about 20 years ago.

I think you're getting confused with the Tornado, which was never that much good - look how many, proportionatly were lost during the first Gulf War.

But you're quite right about degrading our defence capabilty and all the civilian industry skills associated with it. Cameron, Clegg and and all the other Tory-Lib scoundrels should be put on a charge of high treason.

OK calm down Tealeaf.. you muppet.. I did mean the tornado...both aircraft are getting outdated but the only reson the harrier has been dumped is due to defence cuts.