Final flight, and vertical landing, for the Harrier
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Celebrated for their role in the Falklands War, Britain's Harrier Jump Jets made their final flight yesterday before the last 16 aircraft still in service with the Royal Air Force are scrapped under the Government's defence cuts.
Introduced in 1969, the aircraft's almost magical ability to take off and land vertically, or to hover motionless in mid-air, was a radical innovation and allowed it to operate from ships, as seen in this image peering below the deck of HMS Hermes during an operation in the South Atlantic in 1982.
Such memories were celebrated yesterday as the fleet took to the grey skies above RAF Cottesmore, in the East Midlands, for a farewell flight over several RAF bases.
What will happen to the retired aircraft has not yet been decided, though a defence minister has said they may be sold to the US or India.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments