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arejaye — Fast Pass
Published: 2015-06-10 10:08:17 +0000 UTC; Views: 501; Favourites: 24; Downloads: 0
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Description
Art Nails makes a high-speed pass with his Sea Harrier FA.2.Rockford AirFest 2015
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Comments: 5
A nice picture but it seems very strange to see a privately owned Sea Harrier FA2 being flown in the US years after they were axed by the UK government. Still one of the dumbest decisions made in recent UK military history, and it certainly has some competition in that area...
Gary
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You aren't the first person to express that sentiment. No doubt the powers that decide such things over there believe their decision to be pragmatic and logical.
But from what I can tell, there is a fair amount of excitement and anticipation over the Harrier's replacement. Extraordinarily complex and expensive, sure. But think about it; STOVL AND supersonic (with stealth to boot).
And they believe the F-35 will be such an asset that they're building the first new carrier in decades to support it.
The Harrier legacy will rank up there with the most extraordinary planes in history. So give heartfelt thanks to those individuals and organisations there and abroad that will keep at least some of them flying for as long as possible.
Keep them flying. 
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I'm so used to, or was so used to seeing Sea Harriers in service, it now seems very strange to have a plain tail like that without any squadron insignia or tail flash etc. Do you know if there is a reason that they painted over the tail? Is there any rules preventing displaying the insignia over there? I'm sure I've seen other preserved aircraft over there wearing squadron colours?
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I can only speculate as to the reason for the plain tail. The best and most logical reason I can imagine is that when Art Nails acquired her the type was still in squadron service and to display the insignia of an active unit on a civilian-owned aircraft might lead to some confusion. It is also possible that during negotiations with the various ministries (which lasted for more than two years) he may have been required, as a condition of purchase, to NOT display any unit insignia for the aforementioned reason.
Of course these are all guesses on my part. To my knowledge there is no regulation here concerning military markings on civilian-owned aircraft.
And the truth? One would have to contact Mr. Nails and ask.
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A few years ago there was a Bücker Jungmann displaying in Scotland with it's UK civil registry writen over the top its old Spainish Air Force one, because they had no permission to use the military registry. This could be someing similar on the Harrier.
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