Aviation Photography - Harrier Heritage Centre

Harrier Heritage Centre
RAF Wittering
April 9, 2022

The Centre of Aviation Photography (COAP) organised a full day of shooting of four Heritage Harriers with the Centre. Richard Cooper (COAP chief) aided by Steven Comber organised with the Heritage Centre personel a series of shoots at two airfield locations with some re-enactors.
The first location was in Vigo Woods where two Harriers were dispersed. In Cold War days these same locations were utilsed by RAF Wittering Harriers to simulate off-field operations. These same locations still showed signs of the orignal improvised dispersals from those operational days in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the afternoon the two Harriers from the morning shoot were towed to the main ramp to join an additional two Harriers. Here the shoot continued into the early evening for wonderful afternoon and evening light including a sunset and night photography.

Harriers on display:
Hawker Siddeley Harrier P.1127 (XV279).
Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 (XV779) in 4 Squadron markings.
Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4 (XZ146) in 20 Squadron markings.
BAe Systems Harrier GR.7A (ZD318) trials aircraft in Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) markings.

Hawker Siddeley Harrier P.1127 (XV279) dispersed in Vigo Woods situated at the western end of RAF Wittering.

Harrier P.1127 (XV279).

Enter the re-enactors.

Harrier P.1127 (XV279).

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 (XV779) 4 Squadron markings.

Harrier GR.3 (XV779) 4 Squadron markings.

The Harrier line-up.

Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4 (XZ146) in 20 Squadron markings. The Squadron’s Welsh Wildcat emblem on the tail was retained from its time with 233 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).