On September 15th some thirty members of the Hawker Association
gathered at the Brooklands Museum to mark the 50th anniversary of the
first flight of the two-seat Harrier resident in the Flight Shed.
The
full story of this well known aircraft was recently published in the
Newsletter so suffice it to say that this vertical take-off and landing
aircraft, given the appropriate civil registration G-VTOL, was built by
Hawker Siddeley and equipped by the suppliers to demonstrate to
potential purchasers the unique capabilities of the Harrier. Also,
under the guidance of an accompanying test pilot, normal, suitably
experienced military pilots could fly the Harrier.
The Association members were given a ‘trail guide’ to all the
Hawker and Sopwith exhibits in the Museum including the 1912 Michelin
Trophy won by Harry Hawker, a Sopwith-built 1920 ABC motorcycle, the
sixth prototype Hawker P.1127, Sydney Camm’s desk, drawing board and
instruments, company exhibition models, Sopwith Camel replica
B7270/G-BFCZ with an original 1916 rotary engine frequently run to
entertain Museum visitors, Hawker Fury biplane reproduction
masterminded by the late Robin Bulmer, K5673, Hawker Hurricane Mk IIa
Z2389, Hawker Hunter Mk 51 E-421, Harrier TMk 52 G-VTOL itself, Hawk Mk
50 Company demonstrator G-HAWK and Harrier GR Mk1 XV741 Transatlantic,
London to New York, race winner.
After lunch members moved to the Vickers Suite for presentations by
Dick Poole, Association Secretary, on the general history of G-VTOL
including its involvement in the development of the ski-jump and
demonstration of Skyhook feasibility; Chris Farara, newsletter editor
and ‘Hawker archivist‘ at the Museum, on the South American sales tour;
and Heinz Frick, retired Dunsfold Chief Test Pilot, on flying the
Harrier.
Then in the Flight Shed members gathered round
G-VTOL where member and G-VTOL Museum Steward Mike Fantham explained
features of G-VTOL after which new information panels planned by David
Hassard were ‘unveiled’ and a group photograph was taken by Frank
Rainsborough. The generously illustrated panels describing the career
of G-VTOL will remain on display by the aircraft.
Members then moved to the sunny picnic area in front
of the club house to share the birthday cake sliced by Diana Dean and
provided by Association Chairman Chris Roberts who sadly could not be
present as he was convalescing after an operation.
The Association would like to thank the Brooklands
Museum staff for their co-operation in running this very successful
event organised by Dick Poole.