MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AV-8B HARRIER II

Specifications for the MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AV-8B HARRIER  II

The AV-8B is an evolutionary improvement of the P-1127, Kestrel (XV-6A) and Harrier (AV-8A). The four exhaust nozzles vector engine thrust for Vertical and Short Take Off and Landing (VSTOL) operations. It can operate from forward sites including roadways or grass fields. The AV-8B can carry a wide variety of ordnance on its seven store stations. It is shown below with two AIM-9 air-to-air Sidewinder missiles, two MK-82 and MK-83 general purpose bombs.  This aircraft type is in service with the United States Marines, The Royal Air Force and the Navies of Spain and Italy

History of the Museum's "MARINE MACHINE" AV-8B HARRIER II

• BuNo 161396 (Salty Dog #623), built as the first full-scale development test aircraft (B1), TD support flying qualities, performance and shipboard trials.  
• The United States Marine's close air support VSTOL aircraft is built by McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Missouri. British aerospace, developer of the original Harrier, is the principal subcontractor and Rolls-Royce produces the Pegasus II Turbofan engine.
• First Flight - 5 Nov 1981 by Charlie Plummer, MCAIR test pilot.
• First flight at Patuxent River - 29 April 1982.
• First military flight - 2 June 1982 by Major Mike Nyalko, USMC.
• First shipboard trials - April 1984 aboard USS Peliliu(LHA-5) by Lieutenant Colonel Mike Nyalko and  Major Rick Priest, USMC.
• Flown aboard Spanish Navy ship (R-11) - November 1988.
• Last flight - 20 September 1989 by Captain Glenn Hoppe, USMC.
• Flown in a total of 746 flights (914 hours) including operations aboard CVA, LHA, LPH and LPD class ships.

• Presented by the Strike Aircraft AV-8B program office, November 1991.