Posted on 04/27/2007 9:17:04 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
A builder is celebrating after snapping up a model plane with a difference.
Neil Banwell, 39, bought a full-size Sea Harrier Jump Jet on the internet auction site eBay for just £10,000.
Father-of-three Mr Banwell from Wedmore, Somerset, has now given the 26-year-old fighter plane pride of place in his back garden.
The Harrier Jump Jet XZ494, which would have cost around £35 million new, is believed to have seen action in the Falklands War, 25 years ago.
Mr Banwell saw the plane, which has no engine, up for auction on eBay and decided to enter a bid.
He said he was amazed when his bid was accepted and he realised he was to become the new owner of a 45ft fighter bomber.
He said: "There are lots of parts missing but I'm doing it up.
"It was such a surprise to discover the plane on eBay in the first place and it got even better when I found out I'd been successful with the bid.
"It was a bit of a shock when it was delivered as they are quite big."
Mr Banwell will now study records to find out more details about the history of his plane.
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You won’t get a Sea Harrier in USMC markings.
The nearest you’ll get is an ex-USMC Harrier pilot who owns an ex-Royal Navy Sea Harrier.
Art Nalls is shortly to make his first flight in the newly civilian registered Sea Harrier.
http://www.nallsaviation.com/PHOTOALBUMS/SHARPHOTOALBUM.htm
I have to wonder if anyone ever got it?
nice toy
I bought an F-18 Hornet a few years ago. When it finaly arrived in the mail I found out that it didn't work! I had to spring for the return postage!
Ever since then I stopped buying military hardware on eBay.
It arrived in the dead of winter so I decided to use frozen over Lake Michigan for a takeoff runway. Unfortunately it broke thru the ice and sank on me, and since it is completely stealthy, I cant locate it..., sigh.
There was a guy who tried to buy it from Pepsi. I forgtet all of the details but when they wouldn’t sell the Harrier he tried to sue. The judge tossed the suit saying any reasonable person would have known it was just an ad gimmik. At least that is they way I recall it.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Thnaks Yo-YO for finding that Snopes article. I didn’t realize that there were “investors” involved. Other than that it was pretty much as I recall the story.
Regards
Alfa6 ;>}
Thanks yo-yo for the rest of the story. :-)
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