Evans, Andy Real to Replica. Red Series. Volume 13: RAF Harrier

Kestrel, GR.1, GR.3, GR.5, GR.7, GR.9, T.2, T.4, T.10, T.12

At first, this strange British project was regarded as eccentric and novel, treated with scepticism and viewed with disbelief. It was said that it would never be able to carry anything more useful than a matchbox over a football field and could never be seriously considered as a combat aircraft. And yet this aircraft evolved into one of the most powerful, versatile and deadly all-round weapon platforms in the world, battle-proven and extremely well-equipped, with the unique ability to take off and land vertically or at very, very short distances and to wage war at close quarters with the enemy. It needs no nickname, no acronym and no CV; its name is synonymous with its capabilities. From the deserts of Iraq to the skies over Europe, from rough, unprepared runways to rolling aircraft carrier decks, the extraordinary capabilities of the world's first jump jet are legendary. Despite and because of many difficulties and challenges, this determined aircraft type has rewritten the rules of modern air warfare and is the only one to bear the iconic name Harrier. In this book from the Red Series, the authors take an in-depth look at the concept of the Harrier I and II, its deployment with the Royal Air Force and, for a short time, as the GR.7/9 with the Royal Navy. It looks at its development, its wartime duties and, as the title Real to Replica suggests, there is also a section on how to model the RAF Harrier in popular scales, making this book an ideal resource for both enthusiasts and modellers.