Hawker Siddeley Harrier GA.1 AAC MTU Salisbury plain, late 1968

[TallEng]

Although the 1967 Defence review gave more autonomy to the Army for its Aviation activities, It still came as great suprise to many particularly within the R.A.F.'s high command that the Army should seek to expand its fixed wing assets. Especially as the Aircraft involved would be a developed version of the VSTOL  H.S. Kestrel then currently Coming to the end of its successful operational trials stage with the Tripartite Evaluation Squadron. However with the R.A.F. seeing no use for the Kestrel, finding it technically and operationally unattractive and pressing for development of  the supersonic
P1154, the stage was set for the Army to bring into service the worlds first operational VSTOL aircraft.....

Hawker Siddeley  Harrier G.A.1,  Army Air Corps, Maverick Trials Unit, Salisbury plain late 1968











Well I reckon that's the last wiff for this year
hope you like

Regards
Keith

[PR19_Kit]

Oh VERY clever! 

A nice twist to the RW tale.

[Martin H]

ohhhhh Teeny Weeny Airways gets some real Teeth early.  I like it

[PR19_Kit]

Are they Mavericks under the wings?

[Thorvic]

Oh yes very nice 

[Captain Canada]

Lovely. I get pretty excited when I read the title...just love Harriers and Army aviation, so putting the two together is a great idea ! Lov the colours. What are they ?

[The Rat]

Genius! 

[Nick]

Good thinking! 
It's the ideal role for Harriers, launch from hidden pads near the front line to bomb approaching enemy formations and support the Army attacks. Later on they get Sidewinders to help deal with helo's.

A very tactical role which leaves the RAF to go for long range strikes on bases and towns further behind enemy lines or air to air attacks.

[kitnut617]

Very good idea Keith, it's something the USMC do with theirs isn't it.

[sandiego89]

Well done, like the mud and green colors.  A nice, subtle WHIF.   

[KiwiZac]

Oh, yes! Yes! That camo! That loadout! The vehicles! I love it all. Great stuff! I can just see it in a forest clearing, under a net. Brilliant!

[Weaver]

Oh that looks really nice: the brown/green cammo suits it well. 

I made something similar a few years ago. Still intend to get round to the rest of the variants at some point: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,25092.0.html

[TallEng]

Thankyou everybody
I liked the PR.4 Weaver it'll be interesting to see the other variants.

For Those that asked, it's got Mavericks (from the RoG Hunter 9 kit) and the  Colours used are
Xtracolour RAF Dark green and Dark earth, (of course later versions would have been Dark green and Black).
The Bedford refueler, Saladin and Saracen are the Airfix ex JB models Kits.
I have one more early Harrier, Which I hope is going to join the RN next year.....

Regards
Keith

[rickshaw]

Is nice.  Good back story, good lookin' aircraft.   

[zenrat]

So it's not a RW build then?

Very good.