BAe Harrier GR9A, ZG506/P77 'Ninja 1' , Cottesmore Wing,  RAF Cottesmore, Final Flight Retirement scheme, December 15 2010

With the anticipated withdrawal of Britain’s Joint Force Harrier force in late 2010, those currently charged with operating this exceptional aircraft were in no mood to let the legacy of the Harrier pass without ceremony. Four of the aircraft currently in airworthy condition were to benefit from the application of special paint schemes, representing the final three units operating the Harrier, No’s 1 and 4 Squadrons Royal Air Force and No.800 Naval Air Squadron, with the fourth being something even more spectacular. 

The fourth aircraft was intended to commemorate the 41-year service life of Britain’s Harrier, with GR9A ZG506 resplendent in a retro Harrier GR.1 gloss camouflage scheme and she really looked the part. Flown by Joint Force Harrier Commander and RAF Cottesmore Station Commander Group Captain Gary Waterfall OBE, ZG506 would be the lead aircraft of a formation of 16 Harriers taking to the air on the 15th of December 2010 for a planned commemorative flypast across the country. 

Using the callsign ‘Ninja 1’, this aircraft would subsequently also be the final Harrier to land back at RAF Cottesmore, but not before this historic pairing had made one final trademark Harrier bow of acknowledgement towards the dignitaries and family members gathered at Cottesmore on the day. Such a beautiful aeroplane, it was a real shame that more people didn’t have the opportunity to admire this aircraft before Harrier was withdrawn.