Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Instead Of Retiring, Marine Vet Starts His Own Harrier Squadron
Foxtrot Alpha ^ | 05/22/2015 | Tyler Rogoway

Posted on 05/23/2015 5:35:07 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

Instead of retiring, former test pilot and real estate mogul Art Nalls imported, restored, certified and flew the world’s only private Harrier jump jet. Now he’s a man with a mission, adding to his fleet, he wants to preserve the Harrier’s legacy for decades to come.

His amazing story is told in this awesome mini documentary from AARP studios:

Art’s Harrier is an ex-Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2. The Sea Harrier gained fame during the Falklands War, and continued to serve throughout the 1980s and 1990s, when it received the Blue Vixen radar and the ability to fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM. This made the jet a relatively poor fighter but an outstanding interceptor and fleet defense fighter. It was retired (many say prematurely) from the Royal Navy back 2006, and with its retirement gave Nulls an opportunity to own the previously impossible, his own Harrier.

The idea came from attending an air show long after being retired from the Marine Corps and finding wealth in the Washington DC real estate marketplace. He fell back in love with the idea of zooming through the air in a high-performance aircraft. His first stop along the way was buying a Yak-3, a high-performance WWII fighter, but this was not enough to satisfy Art’s thirst for thrust.

He decided to see if he could obtain a surplus Sea Harrier from the UK, and there was one available, although it would have to be demilitarized and refurbished for flight. Seeing that he was a highly accomplished Harrier and test pilot, the FAA gave him the ok to operate the Harrier and Art has been flying at air shows in his beloved Sea Harrier ever since.

Although the costs of operating the jet are crushing, as the Harrier can drink a gallon of gas every six seconds, he relies of sponsors for air shows to help pick up the tab. Now, his fleet is growing as he recently got his hands on another Harrier from the UK, but this one was an ultra-rare two-seat TAV-8, which will allow him to teach other pilots how to fly the Harrier and even possibly take people for rides.

He does not want to stop there, with the idea of procuring more Harriers and spare parts in the future, which will allow his vision to preserve the Harrier and its crews legacy for future generations. A relevant idea as the Harrier could very well disappear from the skies in the coming decades, with the USMC betting huge on its F-35B replacement for the legendary jump jet.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: harrier; seaharrier; usmc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

1 posted on 05/23/2015 5:35:07 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Hopefully someone can do this for the A-10.


2 posted on 05/23/2015 5:37:15 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Claire Wolfe should check her watch. It's time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

That’s so bada$$...: )


3 posted on 05/23/2015 5:39:38 AM PDT by jsanders2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

Planes of Fame


4 posted on 05/23/2015 5:39:49 AM PDT by onedoug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

Yup.
The Harrier is an awesome plane to watch, but in the 90-91 war the A10 blew it away as a close air support platform.

A10s give me a warm fuzzy feeling. They’re better than kittens.


5 posted on 05/23/2015 5:46:40 AM PDT by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

That was my exact thought upon reading the article.


6 posted on 05/23/2015 5:48:39 AM PDT by Paladin2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy
Couple of thoughts, since I'm up way too early. I was a Marine Corps Aviation Officer Candidate for a very brief time, until they found out my eyeballs weren't any good. Oh well, I enlisted as a Bandsman. But the Harrier would have been my first choice.

To demil an A-10, they'd have to take the gun out, and it's basically an airplane built around the gun. Have to put ballast in there to keep the handling characteristics the same. Though I love the A-10, not much point in having one without the gun.

7 posted on 05/23/2015 5:53:54 AM PDT by real saxophonist (Youtube + Twitter + Facebook = YouTwitFace.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: real saxophonist

Oh, I’d like to see a citizen with an A-10 with a gun. It would discourage noisy neighbors.


8 posted on 05/23/2015 5:58:36 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Claire Wolfe should check her watch. It's time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

AARP Studios?


I dislike AARP for their liberal positions and mission creep.

http://www.slideshare.net/tammygordon/aarp-studios-stories-that-matter-38380682

. Objective To become a Social business within the next 5 years, by expanding the principles of social communication throughout the organization
2. Integrate social media with broadcast content and apply the principles of social communication to both
3. Principles of social communication Social is great content. Great content is social The best social ‘medium’ isn’t Facebook, YouTube or Twitter. It’s the audience Make the audience our medium, socialize with them, i.e. give them great content Successful social communication is about being social
4. All content must be social
5. If all content must be social, then don’t differentiate it or treat it differently
6. Why this works
7. Why this works Relevance In order for content to be social, it must be relevant to our audience
8. Why this works Relevance In order for content to be social, it must be relevant to our audience Impact Only if it is relevant to our audience will it have impact
9. Why this works Relevance In order for content to be social, it must be relevant to our audience Impact Only if it is relevant to our audience will it have impact Revenue Greater impact makes it easier to monetize our video content, which will in turn grow revenue
10. = Internally: All content is viewed through a social lens. Social is no longer just a channel. Externally: Integrated, and shareable content. AARP behaving like a socially integrated business
11. And eventually… Social content becomes sought after content
12. How do we get there?
13. STEP 1 Focus team on external communication STEP 2 Outsource some content creation and community management in order to create internal specialists
14. STEP 1 Focus team on external communication STEP 2 Outsource some content creation and community management in order to create internal specialists STEP 3 Merge the broadcast & social teams to form one multi-disciplinary & cross-collaborative team
15. AARP STUDIOS Stories that matter
16. Social and broadcast are mutually interdependent.
17. Collaboration is the mandate. Analytics are the driver
18. Why Community Content?
19. The content will be developed for communities. Communities are social, and communities share
20. STEP 1 Focus the team on external communication STEP 2 Merge the broadcast & social teams to form one multi-disciplinary & cross-collaborative team STEP 3 Outsource content creation and community management STEP 4 Develop an overarching community content strategy
21. The community content strategy will be developed with these guiding principles
22. Community content strategy: #1 Reason for Being Determine what AARP community content stands for
23. Condé Nast Specialized high quality content for sponsors
24. Non-mainstream content
25. “So much video online is shot purely to generate views as opposed to telling a story or conveying information - what we’re concentrated on is producing really insightful, intelligent video for a powerful, well-educated, affluent audience.” Insightful & intelligent content
26. Community content strategy: #2 Audience Definition Focus efforts digitally on trying to reach multiple niche audiences instead of one broad audience
27. Instead of targeting an age group target mindsets, interests or passion points
28. ‘Instead of trying to create videos that have broad appeal, BuzzFeed drills down to very specific groups who will share at a high rate.’
29. Community content strategy: #3 Quality VS Quantity Produce fewer pieces of content, but ones with legs
30. Community content strategy: #4 Show, don’t tell Using insightful stories, show people AARP’s value instead of telling them
31. Community content strategy: #5 Evergreen Content Perpetually relevant content, not news
32. Community content strategy: #6 Shares, not views Everything AARP produces should be shared whether to entertain, inspire, or educate. It must be good enough for people to talk about
33. REASON OR BEING: REAL POSSIBILITIES Type of Content: Always On Type of Content: Staggered Type of Content: Big Audience Primary Goal: Shares Secondary Goal: Engagement Primary Goal: Subscribers Secondary Goal: Engagement Primary Goal: Engagement Secondary Goal: Views Channels: Twitter, AARP.org, Vine Channels: YouTube, FB, Instagram Channels: YouTube, FB, Netflix, TV Example: Caregiving Example: Beauty & Health Example: Music Business Unit: Caregiving Audience: Gen X Passion Point: Need trusted advice on how to look after their parents / grandparents as they age Business Unit: Media Sales Audience: Women 50+ Passion Point: I care about the way I look, but ‘I’m not ‘Maybelline young’ Business Unit: AARP Media Audience: Ageless Passion Point: Music is a universal language and a way to connect people
34. Content Calendar: Example JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Big Audience Big Audience Big Audience Staggered Staggered Staggered Staggered Always On
35. The Road Map 2014: Team Merger and Strategic Development 2015: Production of best-in-class integrated community content 2015 - 2016: Content Sponsorship 2017-2018: AARP Sought After Content
36. AARP Studios VP of AARP Studios Admin Assistant Development/Media and Community - Lead Sponsorships Managing Content - Lead Community Marketing Analytics/ Audience Training AARP Studios Team Member Relevance: Strategist Multi-Media Producer 1 Multi-Media Producer 2 Project Coordinator Civic Engagement: Strategist Multi-Media Producer Project Coordinator Social Impact: Strategist Multi-Media Producer Project Coordinator
37. AARP STUDIOS Visit AARPJobs.com to apply


9 posted on 05/23/2015 5:58:52 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

a follow-up on the aarp source. and this should scare people. Propaganda analysis worksheet.

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/poster_analysis_worksheet.pdf


10 posted on 05/23/2015 6:02:04 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

Thanks. The video was great.


11 posted on 05/23/2015 6:03:12 AM PDT by OK Sun (Freedom is not just another word.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jsanders2001
And By God Patriotic !!

Y'know ... there's a whole BUNCH'A P-51 Mustangs out there .... DAMNED good warriors ...

Just sayin'

12 posted on 05/23/2015 6:06:24 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true .... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

That’s living on the edge. The Harrier is a scary machine.


13 posted on 05/23/2015 6:12:27 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

I suspect (I’m no aviation guy nor former Marine, but I am an Army vet), the problems MAY have been the dispersion of duties as opposed to a dedicated team with love in their hearts


14 posted on 05/23/2015 6:24:05 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true .... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki; Chode; SgtBob

Sweet!!

Speechless Ping


15 posted on 05/23/2015 6:32:35 AM PDT by mabarker1 (congress, The Opposite of Progress.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: knarf

No, it’s a scary machine with a really high mishap rate. The only dispersion of duties was trying to get enough flight time to be current when the jets are constantly down for maintenance. a lot of Harrier guys were getting third world amounts of flight time compared with their conventional tac air counterparts.


16 posted on 05/23/2015 6:48:11 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: sukhoi-30mki

His comment about Marine air supporting the infanty reminded me that during my (short) time in the Army, I served several months with USAAVNS. We wore the above hat pin to remind us and the student pilots that our total mission was to support the "Best"--the infantry.

I hope Army Aviation still carries on that tradition.

17 posted on 05/23/2015 7:07:33 AM PDT by OK Sun (Freedom is not just another word.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

I’m not sure what version that is. I know that the original Harrier’s performance was heavily watered down to make it safer due to the number of accidents.

“One a day in Tampa Bay” was a phrase used to describe the many crashes of the B-26 Marauder during training.

Veteran pilots loved the plane for its performance, but noobs had a tough time handling it.


18 posted on 05/23/2015 7:15:37 AM PDT by MikeSteelBe (Austrian Hitler was, as the Halfrican Hitler does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: real saxophonist

Lots of ways to demil that gun without removal.


19 posted on 05/23/2015 7:16:04 AM PDT by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: real saxophonist

It would be legal in Arizona.


20 posted on 05/23/2015 7:28:40 AM PDT by Glennb51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson