harrier – fourfax

Gp Capt John ‘Jock’ Heron – RIP

webmaster — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 12:06:05 +0000

From the Hunter Register:

I regret I have to report the passing of a couple more of our number. Jock Heron has been a frequent correspondent over the years, and shortly after he contacted me last week, I heard from the No 43 Sqn Association that he had died suddenly. Details of Jock’s funeral [...]

Pete Bennett RIP

webmaster — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 03:12:02 +0000

From Al Holman:

Hi All,

Just heard today that Dear Peter Bennett has sadly passed away. He was admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties and sadly never recovered. We say goodbye to another unassuming but incredibly talented individual. He and I were the first of the straight through guys to prove that first tourists [...]

Paddy Roberts – 11 December 1978

webmaster — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 12:42:21 +0000

From Dick Wise dick@ukwises.com:

I am a writer researching the Harrier sales campaign to China, during the 1970s. On 11 December 1978, Flt lt Paddy Roberts, based at RAF Wittering flew a demonstration flight for a Chinese minister at BAe Dunsfold. During his demo there was a problem, which caused John Farley, the Chief [...]

Ferry Tips

webmaster — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 16:03:45 +0000

Does anybody remember anything about ferry tips? I remember we had them but don’t think I ever flew with them. Did they fall out of favour?

Pic via Harrier Preservation: @HPreservation

Perhaps they were more trouble than they were worth?

Harrier GR1 XV784 ‘D’

webmaster — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 12:04:10 +0000

This jet, as a GR3, had my name on it from 1980 to 1985. This photo was probably taken at Wildenrath in 1974-75 when it was a GR1. Thanks to Ian Black for the photo.

Field Deployments by Al Holman

webmaster — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 12:46:25 +0000

Al Holman has kindly sent me some of his memories of field deployments with the Harrier Force in the 1970’s. Al flew the Harrier GR3/T4 on IV(AC) Sqn at Gutersloh from 1977 to 1980. I arrived on IV in November 1979 and remember sitting in the back of a T4 with Al performing an air [...]