Vertically Challenged!

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

So you've completed basic training, you've done your fast jet training, now your next move is to an OCU where you learn that your next mount, A, does not allways need a runway, but B, is not a helicopter! Enter the world of the Harrier Trainers, the T4, T4A, T8 and T10.  All very distinctive from their single seat cousins by the longer nose and longer tailboom containing the rear reaction jet. In all other aspects they can fly missions equally as demanding as the single seaters. The T4 is the camo aircraft with the GR3 nose, The T4A is the raspberry ripple coloured aircraft from Boscombe Down, the T8 is the black Royal Navy aircraft that was used to train Sea Harrier pilots and the T10 was the trainer version of the GR7/9, So! Have you got what it takes to go vertical? Let's go find out!........

Thanks for viewing

[hifly 925]

Good ones Al, I like the Navy in black.

[brett 2,315]

Nice shots Alan.  I'll throw in my choice of grey as a favorite.

[M.I.B. 39]

Like them all very much! 

A) Is this FS9?

B) Is that Harrier actually functioning (goes vertical)? 'cuz I been looking for a functioning one for a long time...still looking........

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

Like them all very much! 

A) Is this FS9?

B) Is that Harrier actually functioning (goes vertical)? 'cuz I been looking for a functioning one for a long time...still looking........

The T4, T4A and T8 will go VTOL if handled correctly, the T10 can land verticaly but needs a very short take off run. It can be right handfull at slow speed as the model developer does not seem to have followed the same path as UKMIL who did the other two. All of these are FS9 models and are freeware. If you want decent Harrier attributes, ie VTOL, then go for the UKMIL aircraft. Their GR1 and GR3 are also done in the same way and come with a lot of different colour schemes.

[J G 927]

I have the Wilco payware Harrier.

 

I just love it. Wilco have written bespoke code that allows the pilot to use the Pitch control to set the nozzle rotation. It also has a nozzle gauge in the VC and as a pullout.

 

STOL is fairly easy especially takeoff, VTOL takes some getting used to. Again takeoff is easier than landing, and having a leaver prop pitch control is a must to get it right.

 

Side slipping and rotation are possible, but you must be in an almost stationary hover to do this. Side slip is achieved by banking and rotation by use of the rudder.  Do both together and you will crash.

 

VTOL capability is dependent on payload.  No ordnance and about 70% fuel works for me. Add weight as fuel or weapons and you will have to STOL to get airborne.

 

Its a great aircraft and I am very happy with the Wilco model.

 

I almost forgot, it also has a working radar as well.