The end of an era.

Often times one does not like to hear that particular statement. As aviation enthusiasts, we generally want things to keep on going as they were, but the truth is that equipment gets old and needs replaced. Or policy decisions are made that, while many of us may not agree with them, are often done to either save money, resources or just to make things more efficient.

So it is with the Sea Harrier. It's imminent demise from the Royal Navy (only one squadron still flies them and it is due to stand down in about 6 months from this writing) will mean (once again) an ending to dedicated Royal Navy fixed wing operations. All the Sea Harrier pilots will go to flying Harrier GR.7/GR.9s as it has been determined that keeping the Sea Harrier going will not be cost effective. Their aircraft (some of which will only be 8 years old) will be put into storage or sold off. While there still will be a Naval Air Squadron designation on the books, they will be flying RAF planes, so in reality, there are no more dedicated Naval fixed wing aircraft.

But things were not always as bleak. Following the retirement of the older HMS Ark Royal and the transferring of her Phantoms and Buccaneers to the RAF in 1969, there was a period when there were no sea-going fixed wing aircraft. With the advent of the Harrier, the Royal Navy saw how useful such an aircraft would be and so embarked on a development program for a navalized version. This proved to be quite successful and the Sea Harrier was born.

Author Jamie Hunter takes us through the development, deployment and the combat operations of the Sea Harrier, which became world-famous for its success in operations in the Falklands during 1982. Loaded with 400 images, most of them large and in color, we get to see the Sea Harrier go through its various camouflage changes and special schemes. There is a section on what it is like to fly the aircraft and there is an extensive color 'walk-around' portion that is sure to be useful to modelers. Several appendices on 'Operation Corporate', Sea Harrier victories, and a brief history on every aircraft built and every pilot qualified to fly the aircraft is also included, making for a most useful reference.

If you only own one book on this fascinating aircraft, this is the one to have. It is both visually stunning and well written; as such, it is highly recommended.

August 2005

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