The Harrier by velocicrapper

Photography • Aviation • posted on Feb 10, 2006

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Description

Taken at the 'Aviation Nation' Nellis Air Force Base Airshow (Nov 2005). For more images, CLICK HERE. -------------------------------------- Probably one of the most awe inspiring aircraft at Airshows these days, the Boeing AV-8B Harrier II continues to thrill crowds with it's gravity defying Vertical Take-Offs and landings. Using directional nozzles located under the wings (two on each side) the Harrier can lift up vertically much like a helicopter and float in mid air. While hovering, the nozzles can rotate backward so that the Harrier can turn almost instantly into a near supersonic aircraft. Capable of speeds reaching Mach 1.0, the Harrier can shift into a full fighter attack mode by just a switch. The engine, a 23,500-pound thrust Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-61 engine with the directional nozzles, allows the Harrier to nearly stop in midair and land in a spot no bigger than a tennis court. Many people wonder why, during the start of an airshow, the Harrier will take off like a normal aircraft but in a short distance. The amount of fuel required for a Harrier to take off and land vertically is tremendous, so the Harrier must be just about fully loaded on fuel. As such, the Harrier is too heavy at the start of it's performance to do a vertical take off, but after burning off some fuel with some high speed fly-bys, the Harrier is ready for a perfect touchdown vertical landing. Image taken with a Canon Rebel XT EOS 350D and a Canon 100-400mm USM IS F4.5L lens. I was on my stomach shooting from a low angle to get this shot.

Comments (9)

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miztere

6:55PM | Fri, 10 February 2006

very interesting webpage, xlt shot

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Richardphotos

8:29PM | Fri, 10 February 2006

I seen one in person back in the 70's at an airshow and will always remeber it. excellent capture

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pm_hackworth

8:39PM | Fri, 10 February 2006

Excellent!!! VOTE!

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crypticghost

9:40PM | Fri, 10 February 2006

that has always been my favortie aircraft. I seen my first one when I was like 11, and always wanted to be pilot after that. Indeed it is awe inspiring, and this photo is just awsome, it is so cool you were able to capture it without foreground "crap", or other stuff in background etcetera... awsome!

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DJB

12:04AM | Sat, 11 February 2006

Have to say I have never seen better aviation pictures, than from your galleries. Amazing work. On this I love the way the wheels are showing on the tarmac. Now if someone would only let me fly that.

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