New CAA registrations G-RNTB / RNFA

[centaurus18]

G-RNTB and G-RNFA.

...or "Royal Navy Tee Bird" and "Royal Navy Fighter Attack"

An interesting project - both airframes in good nick having been looked after well since their flying careers ended...
enthusiastic and wealthy owners....

It could happen...!

[Domvickery]

And the airframes are.........?

[FlankerPhoto]

ZD990 & ZH803 respectively.

[centaurus18]

And the airframes are.........?

Sorry, meant to add that in to the original post.

[Tmyers123]

ZD990...

[DerekF]

And for those without encyclopaedic knowledge of the UK civil or military register these are a Harrier T.8 and a Sea Harrier F/A.2

[GertrudetheMerciless]

And for those without encyclopaedic knowledge of the UK civil or military register these are a Harrier T.8 and a Sea Harrier F/A.2

Well said!

[Mike]

Before anyone goes getting their hopes up, my understanding is that an approach was made to the CAA some years ago, on behalf of a US multi-billionaire, to operate a Harrier in the UK. Their response was that, due to the type's poor in-service safely record, they would not countenance it under any circumstances.

So much the same story as the Lightning.

Time will tell, I guess.

[cg_341]

Same owners as the Gnats at North Weald looking at Companies House.

Apparently the F/A.2 is merely a signature away from flying, according to some sources.

[Domvickery]

And for those without encyclopaedic knowledge of the UK civil or military register these are a Harrier T.8 and a Sea Harrier F/A.2

Thank you!

[Stagger2]

After the merest formality of a 'single signature' the pilot for the first flight is understood to Lt Cmdr (ret'd) B A 'Piggy' Flifurst ?

[Brevet Cable]

ZH803 / G-RNFA already mentioned in the 'Interesting Internet' topic ( last few posts )

[kinglear27]

Excellent news, looking forward to seeing these Harriers fly, hopefully in the not too distant future by the sounds of it!

[timuss]

I'll believe it when i see it. Don't hold your breath.

[CJS]

That would indeed be foolish, unless they're taking to the skies in the next 20 seconds or so

[Brevet Cable]

I'll believe it when i see it. Don't hold your breath.

Given that the applications for PtoF for both aircraft have were lodged with the CAA a few days ago.....

Be nice to see Harriers operating out of St Athan again, even if one of them is a pig-ugly T.8

Maybe once they're done Horizon will finish some of their other projects...….but then, when it comes to XL500 and XK895 I definitely wouldn't hold your breath.

[Spotty_Jag]

From what I've heard, CAA happy to approve the Harrier to fly in civilian hands, but only as a conventional aircraft. So no hovering or vertical take-off / landing permitted. If that is the case, it'll lead to a rather disappointing display sequence. What's the point having a Harrier performing at your airshow if it can't do any of its party tricks?

[Tmyers123]

What's the point having a Harrier performing at your airshow if it can't do any of its party tricks?

Better than just sitting there, surely?

[MiG_Eater]

Quite right. A Harrier is an interesting aircraft even when its not hovering!

[Reds Rolling]

What's the point having a Harrier performing at your airshow if it can't do any of its party tricks?

While it would be good to have a Harrier flying once more, most airshow goers would expect it to do the hovering part, and I'd imagine there'd be a lot of disappointed spectators if it just flew around normally for a bit and then departed. I'd be one for starters.

[FarnboroJohn]

What's the point having a Harrier performing at your airshow if it can't do any of its party tricks?

While it would be good to have a Harrier flying once more, most airshow goers would expect it to do the hovering part, and I'd imagine there'd be a lot of disappointed spectators if it just flew around normally for a bit and then departed. I'd be one for starters.

Even in conventional flight, an F/A2 in formation with an F-35B would have my lens clicking. There's always the following year....

Baby steps, eh?

[sdad]

"TB" is more likely in lieu of "T8" which is its model. Harriers aren't T-Birds anyway.

[capercaillie]

"TB" is more likely in lieu of "T8" which is its model. Harriers aren't T-Birds anyway.

Some very random references.
https://www.aviationarena.co.uk/companies/jet-art/products/t-bird-harrier-jump-jet-xw269
https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/361528-harrier-t-bird-down-cyprus.html
https://www.flyby.photography/cherrypoint2018/hAAD68AFC#haad68afc

Shame they didn't get hold of the VAAC, which should have been a lot easier to fly in the hover. A T-bird worth seeing.

[Wyvernfan]

Very odd to see ‘aviation enthusiasts’ posting that it’s not worth having a flying Harrier in the UK if it cannot hover.

With the ever increasing number of reproduction Spitfires coming onto the air show scene, surely someone having the guts to attempt to get something different in the air should be applauded should it not? Just having one flying at all is better than nothing IMO.

[phreakf4]

Very odd to see ‘aviation enthusiasts’ posting that it’s not worth having a flying Harrier in the UK if it cannot hover.

With the ever increasing number of reproduction Spitfires coming onto the air show scene, surely someone having the guts to attempt to get something different in the air should be applauded should it not? Just having one flying at all is better than nothing IMO.

It would not only be "aviation enthusiasts" though, would it?

I would expect that the reaction of the "general public" audience if such a display was flown would be much more extreme. It would be much like that at the last Farnborough public days when the Red Arrows flew only a flypast rather than a "proper" display. Something along the lines of "We paid to see a "jump jet" so why won't it hover"?

I do agree with your second point.