Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Hello to you all Having just returned from a little jaunt down to the Med on Illustrious ("Lusty" to all her friends), I thought I would share some of my pictures of 801 NAS Sea Harriers on their last ever time at sea with the Sea Harriers. However, rumour has it that they will day run early next year during carrier work up, so maybe not their last time... :huh: So here they are, more to follow. Pic No.1 Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Pic No.2 Just as soon as I can work out how to do it, be patient!! Edited December 8, 2005 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
DPD1 Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Nice... We had them visit NAS Mugu for a few weeks a while back, which was cool. Sorry to see them go. Dave -DPD Productions - Featuring the NEW 'Military Aircraft' Photo CD - http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/ Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 Thanks Dave, As I mentioned I have more pictures to add, but am being distracted at the moment as I catch up on bills and other horrible things that greeted my return from sea!!! Be patient! Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 Hopefully I will have added another picture with this post, but if not....... Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) No I haven't added a picture, so obviously my brain is not in gear!! No it's not Illustrious that's going but the Sea Harriers. Now we have Harrier GR.7 (soon GR.9) to provide air defence of the fleet Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Crikey!!! I've finally added another picture!!! Lets see if I can do it again....... Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
Nev Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Pinky, that last one is awesome! Any chance you could send me a copy of the full sized pic if I send you my email, it would make a great desktop wallpaper Link to post Share on other sites
I.Illes Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Man, those are some great shots! More please! :) István Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 Nev, of course I will !!! Just give me a short while to sort it out. :) That fly past was of the first 3 to launch when they departed for what could be their last time ever The second wave - well I missed them completely!! Lens wouldn't focus quickly enough - a good excuse to buy a faster one I think!! ;) Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Another pic, if you have no objections!! Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) No objections? :) Then how about another picture taken a couple of seconds after the previous one. Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
biggles819 Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 And there was me thinking I were the only dude, snapping away at those two low fly pasts!!! I got the first, but I got the second even better. Link to post Share on other sites
Ant Phillips Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 And there was me thinking I were the only dude, snapping away at those two low fly pasts!!!I got the first, but I got the second even better. Well then, I think we need to see the photos. Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 (edited) Great!! Show us the second one, I'm a bit annoyed because mine is a bit out of focus :) Where were you standing? I was right up at the front of goofers deck, not a bad view!! Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
biggles819 Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Hi again, I was with 801 from Malta to GIB and as per usual was on the flight deck for launches and recoveries!!!! That last day was something so special, I really dont want to touch my shots as I fear when I do, that will be my memories all over ( How bloody sad!) Regards Andy Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 9, 2005 Author Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) Another pic: Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted December 9, 2005 Author Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) And one for those who like rotating wings :o Edited January 8, 2006 by Pinky coffeeboat Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Fleming Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 And one for those who like rotating wings :o At first glance I thought that was a cam scheme on the Sea King, not a shadow! Link to post Share on other sites
biggles819 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 A few of mine, Andy Link to post Share on other sites
PBoilermaker Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Awesome photos! Any more shots of the Lynx Mk8? -Mike Link to post Share on other sites
kstater94 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Wonderful shots! I'm curious, how did you guys manage to get aboard for the photo shoot? Are you guys in the Royal Navy? I photographed air ops on the Reagan in July and would love to get out on the Lusty if 801 goes out again early next year. Cheers! John Link to post Share on other sites
biggles819 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I am not in the Royal Navy, I was there with 801 as it was the last time the Sea Harrier will ever be on an Aircraft Carrier. There was no other civis on board bar a few industry peeps. Link to post Share on other sites
kstater94 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 What's the score then? They can't be binning off the Sea Harriers, can they? Is it Illustrious that's going? I'm confused :D Yes, I'm affraid it is true The Sea Harriers are the last of the "small, metal wing" Harriers. They aren't at all common with the RAF GR's and are apparently a pain to support. So, away they go... :o 801 will disestablish on the Sea Harrier FA2 next April. As for Lusty, no, she just came out of refit so she'll be arround for a while longer. HMS Invincible was retired this year which leaves the Royal Navy with HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal Cheers! John Link to post Share on other sites
desmojen Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Mike, Harrier II uses an all composite wing which is much larger. I believe the engine is also different ( I think I saw somewhere that they can't put the new engines in the old frames). As well as that the avionics suite is all new. All Harriers are a pain to support frankly. I also find it funny (ironic funny that is) that 'they' think it's such a great idea to use landplanes with a carbon wing on aircraft carriers. Think corrosion. Also, the GR9 has a very limited air to air capability so the fleet defence role of the FRS2 is all but gone with the changes. Link to post Share on other sites
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