Yeovilton-Home of the Sea Harrier **update August 2014**

[lmgaylard]

Hi Guys,

As a very cheeky plug for my forthcoming book, Yeovilton-Home of the Sea Harrier, I thought i would post a selection of photos.

Hope these are of some interest;

1) XZ495 of 801NAS, 1981

aaSHARXZ495aN-003800NASBNK3-81 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

2) XZ454 and other 800NAS Shars with the FAA Museum in the background, August 1980. The white border around the tail insignia was originally Gold but CO Lt Cdr Tim Gedge asked for it to be changed to white as the Gold did not show up as well.

SHARXZ454b800NASline-upYVL8-80 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

3) Newley formed 809NAS on the morning of their departure to the Falklands, May 1982.

img078 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

4) The return of 800NAS to Yeovilton after the Falklands. June 1982

img031 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

5) Somwhere over the Med, piloted by Rob Schwab.

IMG (2) by lmgaylard, on Flickr

6) The Wards; 'Sharkey' Ward on the left and Kris Ward on the right. Taken on the day Kris passed the 899NAS conversion course. Kris took his Father 'Sharkey' for a flight in the T8, pictured behind, 'Sharkey' had not flown in a fast jet for about 14 years.....

father-and-son-sea-harrie-006 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

7) XZ439 pictured at Bae Dunsfold in 1990. XZ439 was the second F/A2 conversion and spent most of its life at Dunsfold as a test and development aircraft. It did serve at Yeovilton during the Falklands War actually as part of 899NAS. This is the Shar that is owned and flown by Art Nalls in America where, yesterday 5th August, Art made his 100th Shar display.

247063_106730319416662_100002390841894_66299_3695210_n by lmgaylard, on Flickr

8) ZH796 was the first of the new build F/A 2s pictured at Dunsfold August 1995. The pilot is the late Rod Frederickson.

First of the last new build FA 2 ZH796, on flight line at Dunsfold, 17th Aug 95 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

9) 800NAS Shar taking fuel from a Tristar somewhere over the North Sea.

250241_106377922785235_100002390841894_62050_3704456_n by lmgaylard, on Flickr

10) 801NAS Shars tanking from a VC-10 over the North Sea. January 2006.

Picture 038 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

11) A Champane moment. James 'Judge' Dresner, on the left, enjoys a drink with CO 801NAS Cmdr Rod 'Chips' Lawler after completing his first deck landing.

A champagne toast with Chips Lawler after deck landing (me on left) by lmgaylard, on Flickr

12) Squadron art doodles......

n801875286_685140_3469 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

13) After kicking 'The Stigs' ass on Top Gear, 801NAS have time to meet Mr Clarkson....Pilot on the left is Nick Arkle and 'Chips' Lawler is shaking hands.

shar of 801 on top gear by lmgaylard, on Flickr

14) Pictured at Fairford 2003, this was to be the penultimate Shar display at RIAT.

IMG_1144 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

15) Groundcrew getting ready to launch a flight of 899NAS Shars, February 2005.

268_6870 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

16) 'Where is the problem?' February 2005.

268_6855 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

Hope you all like this selection, if you would like to see more then please ask.

Thanks for looking guys

[Viv]

Fantastic selection of images - she is a stunner

Good luck with the book (may have to order myself one).

[Malfatron Malkovic]

I am impressed Lewis. Well done, very well done indeed. It does look a splendid read, i may even purchase a copy myself (you may have to lend me the currency first though!).

[paddyboy]

Hi Lewis

No words, mate

What an aircraft

I shall be purchasing a copy, don't you worry

Best regards

Paddyboy

[d555]

Blimey! What great images.
If these are the standard in your book, sign me up!

[urkles]

Fantastic stuff Lewis, you got some great images, and great vto see my old mate 'Tiny' behind Clarkson!

[seven]

SHAR with Sea Skua, come on, you know you want to show it Lol great set dude, dont remember seeing those on your LT!

7

[ciaranchef]

Beautiful...second photo is a real beaut....nostalgic stuff indeed... Ciaran

[lmgaylard]

Thanks for the kind comments guys, much appreciated.

As you all seem to like this brief photohistory of the Shar i thought i would post a few more ;

1) This is the first official landing on the 'Dummy deck' at Yeovilton, February 1981

img032 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

2) A Classic pose. 700A Sea Harrier XZ451 with Yeovilton Village Memorial Church in the background.

1354221 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

3) Commissioning day for 801NAS with 'Sharkey' Ward showing HRH Prince Philip the new cockpit layout.

His Royal Highness, Prince Philip checks out the new aircarft by lmgaylard, on Flickr

4) John Farley on a test flight performs a fast low pass at Dunsfold, October 23rd 1978.

253933_106730952749932_100002390841894_66329_8209521_n by lmgaylard, on Flickr

5) Mixed formation of 800 + 899NAS at Yeovilton Air Day 1980.

SHAR800-899NAS8-shipYVL8-80- fred martin by lmgaylard, on Flickr

6) The 'Alraigo Kid'; Sea Harrier ZA176 being lifted of the British Tay in Portland Harbour. This was the Shar that made an emergency landing on 'The Alraigo' container ship after suffering NAVHARS and Radio failure. Ian Watson and Alistair McClaren have both helped with facts and details for the story in my book. This Shar was later to be Looked after by our own 'urkles' Mark Rourke.

img021 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

7) 800NAS groundcrew pose for the camera, 1993.

Graham Brumby-800 1993 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

8) Talking of posing..lol. our own 'Urkles' Mark Rourke with a Shar at RAF Lossiemouth for live weapons firing

IMG_0006 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

9) The submersable Shar.......ZD614 after its little swim in the River Yeo after leaving the end of RWY 04/22 at Yeovilton on 8th October 2001; not pilot Simon Claytons best piece of parking

Sea Harrier FA.2 ZD614 Picketston 160902 river crash by lmgaylard, on Flickr

10) 801NAS somewhere over the Alps

Kieron Alps by lmgaylard, on Flickr

11) ZH803 taxiing back to its apron......Taken by our own 'Centaurus18' Mark Russell...

20060327-zh803-mrussell-007 by lmgaylard, on Flickr

12) Art Nalls, the custodian of XZ439

Art in front of SHAR ChrisBottphoto.com by lmgaylard, on Flickr

Hope these are to your liking guys.
Before you ask, yes i have permission to use these photos......

Thanks for looking

[KINROTATE]

My guess is that shot 9 in the first batch is a '10 not a three holer? Great shots.

[buzzer]

fantastic stuff Lewis.. well done.. do you have a release date yet?

[STCAAMEkid]

Lewis - excellent images you've shared here. When is your book out and who's the publisher ?
Phil

[seven]

My guess is that shot 9 in the first batch is a '10 not a three holer? Great shots.

If its what you meant, VC-10K2/3/4's are three stations, with the C1K being two stations, however its very rare too see all 3 drogues being used at once. If its a flight of 2 being refuelled they would do so one at a time.

7

[lmgaylard]

Kinrotate....you ask that as if i should know what i'm talking about......lol It was a four-ship of Shars when this was taken.

Just a little info for you guys;
My book will be published by Fonthill Media ltd and should be in the shops in the early part of next year.

I am trying to write this in a relaxed manner ie; as if we were sitting down having a chat over a beer.....i don't want to bog down the reader with endless dates, facts and figures but at the same time keep it interesting.....
I will be trying to get across the human element so i'm pleased to have some ex Shar ground crew writing articles for me as well as the pilots. Remember, no one would take off without ground crew.....isnt that right 'Urkles'...
I have been very fortunate to have so many Shar pilots helping me out with written word, photos and advice. Some of the pilots include;
'Sharkey' Ward and his son Kris, John Farley, David Morgan, Neil Thomas, Simon Hargreaves, Rob Schwab, Chris Gotke, James Dresner, Chris Roy......to name a few.
Also i have had great help from many photographers, including some of you guys on here, who have kindly allowed me to use their photos, 600+ photos so far......still room for more, hint hint.... So a big thank you to you all.
The Artwork for the book has/will be done by Inkworm Ltd, and they are not charging me either........

As the title suggests, i will also be writing a section on RNAS Yeovilton itself, from the very begining, my grandad cut all the trees down so it could be built,right up untill the present day. It will include articles on the current units and squadrons as well as things like the NATO JEWCS unit. I have so far had articles from the CO of 815NAS, ATC, Bird control unit and more to follow soon, hopefully. Also i have talked the current base commander, Commodore Chivers, into writing a piece also.

The Foreword for my book was going to be written by John Farley but due to his recent illness we decided that he would just contribute a piece for his profile and about some of the test flying. So the foreword will be wrote by someone else, i have been chatting to a couple of people but trying to get them to write it in the time frame is difficult as one is busy with some car programe and the other is doing some royal guitar playing..........

So guys, at the moment all is going well, i am a tad behind with the writing, but with a bit of luck my book should be quite good.....if its not i won't be able to complain about not having any help!!
If any of you do buy it i promise i won't sign it for you......it may keep it's value then......
Thanks for reading guys, hope i have not bored you all too much........

Ok just one more photo;

Sea Harrier attacking HMS Edinburh during a 'Thursday War', October 2004

5449934521_b72b7eae15_b by lmgaylard, on Flickr

[Victor5]

It will include articles on the current units and squadrons as well as things like the NATO JEWCS unit. I have so far had articles from the CO of 815NAS, ATC, Bird control unit and more to follow soon, hopefully. Also i have talked the current base commander, Commodore Chivers, into writing a piece also.

Don't forget the Fire Section Lewis, everybody else does
After all, there'd be no flying without them!

[The Phantom]

Great images Lewis. Can't wait to get the book

[DeanW]

Great coverage of the aircraft!

[jaybee]

Hi Lewis,

Your photos and info with your informal writing should make it a good read.
You seem to have done some good homework in getting some note-able people involved
from the harrier programme and from the navy squadrons.
Good luck with it and look forward to reading it one day...JB

[richpittman]

Just seen these Lewis.
Very nice indeed!

[lmgaylard]

Thank you gentlemen for your kind words........