Local plane and photography enthusiast Andy Holey was one a of select few given the opportunity to bid a farewell to one of the RAF’s most iconic aircraft, the Harrier Jump Jet which has been withdrawn from service.
Andy said:
“I was fortunate enough to be invited to RAF Cottesmore on the 1st March to have a final walk around five of the specially painted aircraft and take the last photographs outside of a museum environment.”
“The event was organised by the RAF and RN to allow enthusiast to come onto the base to take pictures and talk to the pilots and ground crew.”
“We also have the opportunity of sitting in a cockpit of one of the harriers which had all the systems powered up.”
For many years Harriers have been stationed at RAF Cottesmore in Leicestershire. Up until December 2010 four squadrons where stationed at RAF Cottesmore, 1 (F) SQN, 4(AC) SQN, 800 NAS and 801 NAS.
December 15th 2010 saw the final fly past of the Harriers. This final flying event included 16 Harriers flying in formation across the UK and over most of the active RAF and RNAS. The Harriers are now being “moth balled” until they can either sold on or placed into Museums around the world.
About 200 enthusiasts from across the UK had been invited to this special event. Several people had travelled from as far away as Germany and Belgium to attend this special event.
A small voluntary charge was requested to gain entrance to this event but everything raised went to charity.
Pictures by Andy Holey
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