REQ Harrier coded 04 Wittering 19th August 1986

[Sea_Harrier_FA2]

Harriers were always a challenge as they changed so often and were difficult to read off. I have tied this down to one of two, either XZ132 or XZ993, most likely the former. I found the following:

XZ132 was at BZN show in June 1986 (photo with serial and code 04 visible) and reported still as 04 after August 86 both in SEAR and the Feb 1987 BARG.

XZ993 according to SEAR was 04 in May 1986 and BARG have it leaving St.Athan 10th November 1986 uncoded but ex 04. I could assume that it left Wittering to St.Athan back around May 1986 for overhaul. However, there is a report in the Oct-86 SEAR of XZ993/04 overshooting at Binbrook on 18th August 1986, ie the day before I saw 04 at Wittering. This could be an assumption of the serial from the code or the code being read off, although reading a Harrier off at speed at Binbrook would have been a challenge so I am hoping it was an assumption.

My BARGs run from 1987 onwards and they have great St.Athan details. The query is can anyone confirm what XZ993 was up to in August 1986 please?

MTIA

Bob

[MCB]

Bob,

XZ132 went from 1 Sqn to St Athan 16.1.86 for Major, then back to 1 Sqn 20.6.86.
XZ993 went from 1 Sqn to St Athan for Major 20.6.86, then back to 1 Sqn 11.11.86.

MCB

[Sea_Harrier_FA2]

Thanks MCB, obviously someone “assumed” for the August Binbrook report.

Cheers

Bob

[rh226]

.....which, by the way, is replicated in BAR Oct86