The Harrier is the ancestor of the F-35.
Designed by Great Britain in the 60’s, the AV-8 Harrier is a British design that was built over here the USA under licence as the AV-8B for the U.S. Marines.
The plane was used to liberate the Falklands from hostile invaders and suffered no air to air losses with about 18 air to air kills.
This aircraft has been operated until about 2010.
In Oct 7, 2011 a harrier ditched into the sea at Lowestoft Air Festival 2002.
The inquiry concluded that the accident was caused by the failure to select the nozzle control lever to the “Hover Stop” following an inadvertent nozzle lever movement.
The pilot ejected successfully but been injured when hitting the aircraft on the way down.
