The Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1/GR.3 and the AV-8A Harrier were the first generation of the Harrier series, the first operational close-support and reconnaissance attack aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities. These were developed directly from the Hawker P.1127 prototype and the Kestrel evaluation aircraft. On 18 April 1969, the Harrier GR.1 officially entered service with the RAF when the Harrier Conversion Unit at RAF Wittering received its first aircraft. The United States Marine Corps (USMC) also chose to procure the type, receiving 102 AV-8A and 8 TAV-8A Harriers between 1971 and 1976.

The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval V/STOL jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft; it was a navalized development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The first version entered service with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS.1, and was informally known as the Shar. Sea Harriers played a high-profile role in the Falklands War of 1982, flying from the aircraft carriers HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes.[19][20] Wartime experiences led to the production of an improved model in the form of the upgraded Sea Harrier FA2; this version entered operational service on April 2nd, 1993. The Sea Harrier was also procured by the Indian Navy, where the first Indian Sea Harriers entered squadron service during December 1983

Pictured here is a 1:48 scale replica of a BAe Harrier GR9A jump jet that was attached to Cottesmore Wing, then deployed to RAF Cottesmore, England, on December 15th, 2010. This aircraft is shown in its final retirement scheme. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches
Length: 11-1/2-inches

Release Date: December 2024

Historical Account: "Out to Pasture" - With the anticipated withdrawal of Britain's Joint Force Harrier force in late 2010, those currently charged with operating this exceptional aircraft were in no mood to let the legacy of the Harrier pass without ceremony. Four of the aircraft currently in airworthy condition were to benefit from the application of special paint schemes, representing the final three units operating the Harrier -- No's 1 and 4 Squadrons Royal Air Force and No.800 Naval Air Squadron, with the fourth being something even more spectacular.

The fourth aircraft was intended to commemorate the 41-year service life of Britain's Harrier, with GR9A ZG506 resplendent in a retro Harrier GR.1 gloss camouflage scheme and she really looked the part. Flown by Joint Force Harrier Commander and RAF Cottesmore Station Commander Group Captain Gary Waterfall OBE, ZG506 would be the lead aircraft of a formation of 16 Harriers taking to the air on December 15th, 2010, for a planned commemorative flypast across the country.

Using the call sign 'Ninja 1', this aircraft would subsequently also be the final Harrier to land back at RAF Cottesmore, but not before this historic pairing had made one final trademark Harrier bow of acknowledgement towards the dignitaries and family members gathered at Cottesmore on the day. Such a beautiful airplane, it was a real shame that more people didn't have the opportunity to admire this aircraft before the Harrier was withdrawn.