Harrier farewell
RAF Cottesmore, United Kingdom
Due to budget cuts within Britain's defence, the Harrier is taken out of operational service within several months after the defence cuts announcement. Reason for me to travel towards the United Kingdom and witness the last operational flying days of the famous Harrier jump jet at RAF Cottesmore, Oakham. From 12 - 16 December I travelled through the United Kingdom visting RAF Cottesmore.
With Ryanair I departed from Eindhoven to London-Stansted where a rental car was waiting that took me to RAF Mildenhall where I stayed for the night. The following morning I reported at the gate of RAF Cottesmore around 10:00 local. I had arranged a base visit through some very good contacts that I have in the Royal Air Force. According to various sources a practise Harrier farewell flypast of 16 aircraft would take place today if the weather permits. But the weather did not permit a 16 ship Harriers to get airborne that day because of very limited visibility in and around RAF Cottesmore. After a tour on the flight line and through one of the four hangars on the airfield if was time for some flying action in the beginning of the afternoon. The only flying action that did took place today was with all special painted Harriers that did an photo flight with Combat Aircraft editor/photographer Jamie Hunter. A good photo spot was obtained from the ATC tower that is situated very close to the taxi track and almost in the middle of the runway. The entire afternoon I spend on the ATC tower battling the cold wind shooting Harriers.
