Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

Military Aviation => Modern Military Aircraft => Topic started by: Merlin on February 12, 2010, 03:55:46 PM

Title: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on February 12, 2010, 03:55:46 PM
Don't know if anyone was at the NIAG meeting last night but apparently there may be up to 4 Harriers coming to Aldergrove next month. The Ulster Aviation Society (UAS) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) have organised a lecture on the Harrier. Although at present neither site has any mention of it. They tried this once before a few years back which I had been down to attend but it was cancelled at the last minute due to 'operational reasons'.

Anyone heard anything similar/different?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Paultojo on February 12, 2010, 05:03:26 PM
It is mentioned is the latest UAS mag


Paul
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: iCardboardRobot on February 12, 2010, 07:51:09 PM
Be interesting to hear a lecture on the Harrier, always found it fascinating
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on February 12, 2010, 11:45:40 PM
Has anybody got any more info on this that they wish to share?
 
Any idea of when the aircraft might arrive?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on February 25, 2010, 09:39:16 PM
Friday 5th March
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Nige on March 04, 2010, 09:52:29 AM
Guys, latest info is that 4 harriers will be arriving  at Aldergrove low level at 15:30 Fri 5th
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 04, 2010, 11:22:34 AM
Anyone taking a run up to watch them arrive?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: casper on March 04, 2010, 12:41:51 PM
Wonder if it's the same guys as last time - they did a flybys over Lurgan :)
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Nige on March 04, 2010, 01:45:15 PM
Casper, yes I think it is the same guys,  IV sqn
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: casper on March 04, 2010, 02:29:42 PM
Must keep an eye out for them tomorrow then. Thank.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 04, 2010, 08:40:34 PM
Thanks for the tip off,I hope they do a few excursions around Aldergrove,I am at work until 5.00pm but might get a chance to see them over the weekend.
 
Any idea when they are leaving or if the are flying at the weekend at all???
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 04, 2010, 11:13:15 PM
Anyone taking a run up to watch them arrive?
I'll probably be about.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Nige on March 05, 2010, 07:49:24 AM
Angry, the harriers are due to stay all weekend and will depart on Monday, not sure of the departure time as yet, but if I find out I will post.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: EIN149 on March 05, 2010, 10:14:11 AM
Wonder if it's the same guys as last time - they did a flybys over Lurgan :)

That was during the summer?

Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: casper on March 05, 2010, 10:20:05 AM
Sunday September 20th last year for the handing over of RAF Aldergrove. They flew over Lurgan on the Friday.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 05, 2010, 01:06:30 PM
Has turned very cloudy all of a sudden  :( -pity;it was lovely and bright up until a few minutes ago.
 
Light not great for photographs.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: George on March 05, 2010, 01:19:50 PM
Anyone going down for a nosey? Where would be the best spot?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 05, 2010, 01:29:29 PM
If Runway 25 is in use (which I suspect it will),best is to go to either Killead Church carpark or the dead-end road just off the Tully Rd (just before the Aldergrove roundabout) on the approach to 25.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: George on March 05, 2010, 01:32:01 PM
Thanks

Hopefully get down
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 05, 2010, 01:43:25 PM
From ni_scanner forum in case some of you don't subscribe to it.........
"Harriers were due to arrive around 3.20 although are delayed
around half an hour. And as always 1 is broken."
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 05, 2010, 03:51:10 PM
3 Harriers landed @ 1545. Did three flybys before landing. The last Harrier hovered over the runway and completed a full 360 rotation before landing.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: George on March 05, 2010, 03:54:14 PM
Performed Flybys of Lurgan Area, im in Magherealin and stright over the house. Awful pic haha, was a quick as i can down the stair grab the camera before miss them job.



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Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: casper on March 05, 2010, 03:58:58 PM
Just my luck - I was in doors taking a team photo. Damn.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 05, 2010, 06:43:09 PM
Light was very poor,of course the sun came out again just after they had all landed :(
 
He is one of my efforts taken from my garden.

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Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Chalkman on March 05, 2010, 07:38:35 PM
Didn't hear or see anything over the lurgan area today.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 05, 2010, 09:12:54 PM
Couple more pics of the Harriers today-sadly the light conditions were very bad so pictures aren`t great.

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Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: EIN149 on March 06, 2010, 12:54:01 AM
I was in Portadown today, sadly wished i was at EGAA.

You cant do any better considering the conditions when the clouds started to appear.

Thank you for sharing :)

Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Dave on March 06, 2010, 03:08:58 AM
A big shame about the clouds arriving at the wrong time, pretty typical at special events! Thanks to Mark for keeping us up to tabs with the times before they arrived.  :)
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 06, 2010, 09:29:29 AM
Light wasn't too good but got a few anyway....
Luckily there was a 20 minute window in any departures or arrivals and the harrier guys could have a bit of fun doing their touch and gos.


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Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 06, 2010, 09:34:18 AM
Thanks to Mark for keeping us up to tabs with the times before they arrived.  :)
Which I hope no-one took any notice of, as they were actually on time! :)
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: George on March 06, 2010, 05:35:31 PM
Any ideas on the time they are departing?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 06, 2010, 05:42:01 PM
2pm Monday afternoon.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Dave on March 06, 2010, 06:50:54 PM
Thanks to Mark for keeping us up to tabs with the times before they arrived.  :)
Which I hope no-one took any notice of, as they were actually on time! :)


Really? Judging by this series of posts it seems you were right on :D The good intent was there so thanks again :)

From ni_scanner forum in case some of you don't subscribe to it.........
"Harriers were due to arrive around 3.20 although are delayed
around half an hour. And as always 1 is broken."


3 Harriers landed @ 1545. Did three flybys before landing. The last Harrier hovered over the runway and completed a full 360 rotation before landing.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 06, 2010, 09:03:10 PM
They actually arrived at EGAA at around 3:20/3:25 ,,,, done their run/breaks and 3 very Sloooooooooww touch and go's with go-arounds, before actually landing at 3:45... so they did give like a mini airshow routine.
Anyhooooo .... more from the forums... no idea how accurate this information is...

Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 06, 2010, 09:23:18 PM
From chatting with the pilots last night they told us that they were hosting a visit from the air cadets today. They were also scheduled to take in a rugby match so indeed it did sound like there was no flying scheduled for today.

Wouldn't mind watching the military exercise if its nearby.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: George on March 06, 2010, 09:39:41 PM
Anyone know of any flying tomorrow?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 07, 2010, 12:14:48 AM
Generally speaking UK Military aircraft tend to restrict their flying to Mon-Fri,but it would seem odd to send three aircraft over and just have them parked up,so you just never know.
 
Wind looks as if it will favour 07 for most of tomorrow,which is a bit awkward for getting photos.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Hammerhead on March 07, 2010, 09:41:25 AM
Wouldn't mind watching the military exercise if its nearby.
If there is to be any low flying to happen there would have to be a NOTAM posted to alert other aircraft to keep clear and as far as i can see there has been none issued for this weekend....
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 07, 2010, 09:47:47 PM
So, with the Harriers scheduled to fly out tomorrow afternoon and my having made a complete horlicks of the shots I took of them arriving, in addition to nearly all the shots I took on Friday night not coming out terribly well, I'm thinking of heading back out to BFS to watch them depart.

I'd fortuitously booked tomorrow off from work  ;)

Will anyone else be about when they leave?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 07, 2010, 10:49:50 PM
It's looking like another great sunny day so photos should be a lot better assuming that they give a little send off show.
Might be disappointing if they just take off and disappear.......
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 08, 2010, 12:18:51 AM
Totally agree,it was very frustrating on Friday as the weather had been glorious up until around 1.30;then it stayed very claggy until just after the Harriers had done their thing :(
 
With bright holes in the clouds in the backround and very flat light it made correct exposure very difficult.

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Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: RNASMU on March 08, 2010, 10:20:46 AM
So, with the Harriers scheduled to fly out tomorrow afternoon and my having made a complete horlicks of the shots I took of them arriving, in addition to nearly all the shots I took on Friday night not coming out terribly well, I'm thinking of heading back out to BFS to watch them depart.

I'd fortuitously booked tomorrow off from work  ;)

 

Will anyone else be about when they leave?

Yes, I'll be there. Where is the best place to view? very little wind at the minute, do you think it will be 025
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 08, 2010, 11:18:09 AM
at the moment they are departing 25, which, is not good for photo opportunities I'm afraid.
On the plus side, if the time of departure is correct, at 2pm, then they should have a clear window of about 25mins with no arrivals or departures to strut their stuff if they feel they want to......

Lets hope they do.... :)
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 08, 2010, 11:28:02 AM
Where is the best place to view? very little wind at the minute, do you think it will be 025

If they do some flyby's then Killead Church or the road up 'Creative Furnishings', which is just after you turn off the Tully Road to Killead, are the usual spots. Killead Church is better for side on shots. I'll be at one or other  :)

Spotters Guide for BFS (http://www.spotterswiki.com/index.php?title=Belfast_International_Airport_%28BFS/EGAA%29)
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Chalkman on March 08, 2010, 02:20:55 PM
They just flew very low over Lurgan.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Nige on March 08, 2010, 02:47:31 PM
Two left on time, One is still here with a `tech problem`
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: casper on March 08, 2010, 03:42:54 PM
Yea flew over Lurgan around 2:30 (two of them) and again just after 3:30.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 08, 2010, 04:27:27 PM
2 at 2:30 and 1 at 3:30, or the same 2 again?
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Compact Disc on March 08, 2010, 04:59:53 PM
Hi guys. Seen the lone harrier at 3.30pm. right over my house approx 400ft.WOW! I am told that the pilot is originally from Lurgan.He is called Harvey Smith.My neighbour went to school with him.His parents still live in Lurgan. When they were here last September he did a slow flypast over his parents house and flashed the lights. A real showman.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Merlin on March 08, 2010, 05:20:39 PM
Of all the days to be using 07 for take-offs  >:(

A bunch of us had gathered on the lane at the foot of 25. Met up with RNASMU and listened to the scanner waiting for word. The two Harriers that took off at 2:30 came right over us which didn't leave much time for pics, especially when shooting into the sun. They then circled round the north side of the airport and flew down the length of 17 before heading off towards Lurgan.

RNASMU and I hung about for a while before moving up to Crosshill to see what the view was like from there. Sure enough the third Harrier when it departed came right over our heads following the same path as the earlier pair.

Was rather anti-climatic in the end  :(

If any of the pics I took are salvageable I'll post them here later.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: casper on March 08, 2010, 08:13:52 PM
Quote
2 at 2:30 and 1 at 3:30, or the same 2 again?

Sorry Mark, only saw the 2 at 2:30 and heard the rest at 3:30 so it probably was just 2 and 1.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Paultojo on March 08, 2010, 10:56:12 PM
Much better effort today 


(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/Paultojo/_MG_0558.jpg)


(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/Paultojo/_MG_0559.jpg)


(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/Paultojo/_MG_0562.jpg)


(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/Paultojo/_MG_0603.jpg)
Big crop on this one


Regards
 Paul
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Angry Turnip on March 08, 2010, 11:14:39 PM
Great Shots-a bit of sunshine does wonders!
 
Two Harriers blasted over Ballinderry at 1415 very low and fast-I would guess down to 250ft or less.
 
Single Harrier came over a bit higher at approx 1530.
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: George on March 08, 2010, 11:42:27 PM
Amazing Shots there .
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Xair on March 09, 2010, 07:34:11 AM
WOW best I've seen in a long time. Great shots Paultojo
 
Xair
Title: Re: Harrier Visit
Post by: Mark on March 09, 2010, 09:23:03 AM
Great photos Paul.
Were you on the base when you took those?