G-VTOL?

Hobbes · November 30, 2013, 01:08:16 AM

Last time I was there, they had an 'open cockpit' day and I got to sit in G-VTOL. An interesting experience, you don't realize how tiny the cockpit is when you stand outside. I'm 1m80/6' and my eyes were level with the windshield frame, I doubt I'd have fit in the closed cockpit had I worn a helmet.

PR19_Kit · November 30, 2013, 02:57:03 AM

Green with envy mode on............

Captain Canada · November 30, 2013, 09:15:15 AM

What are these pods here ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39411748@N06/galleries/72157626999028999/#photo_5932723369

PR19_Kit · November 30, 2013, 10:39:52 AM

The top Harrier photo is G-VTOL in its 2nd 'Desert Scheme' carrying the standard 100 gall tanks.

The second pair are a trifle inscrutable but I suspect they show the VAAC Harrier, XW175, in an earlier scheme with a pod for its all-digital control system carried on the starboard gun pod position.

[Later] Just noticed that XW175 is also in the upper photo, the T2 next aft from G-VTOL, and a GR3 right aft which has had 'Royal Navy' zap applied to its tail.

Captain Canada · November 30, 2013, 11:19:47 AM

Cool. But what are the pods in the other photos ? First I've ever seen them.

PR19_Kit · November 30, 2013, 12:52:27 PM

Which pods where? I can only see three photos showing Harriers on that page.

Captain Canada · December 01, 2013, 11:44:59 AM

In the 2 photos below the 4-ship you were talking about, the two seater has some bulbous pods where the lift strakes or gun pods go. Just wondering what they are. Doesn't look like the have doors on them.

Thorvic · December 01, 2013, 12:46:23 PM

Quote from: Captain Canada on December 01, 2013, 11:44:59 AM
In the 2 photos below the 4-ship you were talking about, the two seater has some bulbous pods where the lift strakes or gun pods go. Just wondering what they are. Doesn't look like the have doors on them.

Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 30, 2013, 10:39:52 AM
The top Harrier photo is G-VTOL in its 2nd 'Desert Scheme' carrying the standard 100 gall tanks.

The second pair are a trifle inscrutable but I suspect they show the VAAC Harrier, XW175, in an earlier scheme with a pod for its all-digital control system carried on the starboard gun pod position.

[Later] Just noticed that XW175 is also in the upper photo, the T2 next aft from G-VTOL, and a GR3 right aft which has had 'Royal Navy' zap applied to its tail.

Kit had already answered your question before you asked which is probably why you confused him

PR19_Kit · December 01, 2013, 01:09:43 PM

Correct, that's the instrumentation pod only carried on XW175, the VAAC Harrier. It was only carried on the starboard side at one time, but I've also seen photos of it carrying two pods at the same tiem, one on each side.

Incidentally it's the oldest 2 seat Harrier as it was #2 off the line and the prototype was written off in a crash very early on.

Captain Canada · December 01, 2013, 01:59:38 PM

Holy smokes....I read that post three times and kept going back to the photos, looking to see the GR.3 etc....how on earth I missed that part of the comment is beyond me ! Sorry guys.....

At least Geoff has cleared up the confusion !

It almost looks like it is carrying two of the pods. It's hard to tell with the angle and with the gear doors etc, but it looks like it to me.

Thanks again guys

PR19_Kit · December 01, 2013, 02:39:21 PM

I think in both the lower two pics, the ones where it's ready for take-off, it's got a pod on the starboard side and a standard Harrier strake on the port side.

kitnut617 · December 01, 2013, 02:41:11 PM

Actually seeing that pod on the starboard side like that gives credibility to my Sea Harrier F.13/14 project, I've got a pod in the same position only I've blended it into a converted gun-pod, it's supposed to be the Data-Transfer Pod in my backstory

PR19_Kit · December 01, 2013, 02:48:15 PM

Pretty much what they used them for on the VAAC project.

They gathered TONS of data on each flight, and according to John Farley's Harrier 'Bible' they could simulate up to EIGHT different aircraft from the back seat in that one airframe!

Captain Canada · December 02, 2013, 06:32:13 AM

Any word on the 300 gallon tanks ? I dug out my 'tank bag' from the spares boxes last night. Might go out and grab another 2-seater today. Damn Harriers....

PR19_Kit · December 02, 2013, 07:23:36 AM

I'll be working on them this evening. Right now my priority is filling LARGE plastic boxes with surplus kits for a model sale here on Sunday.

I HATE doing that, sitting up there in The Loft figuring out what I don't want to build amongst the mountains of stuff there, when I really want to build them all!!