British Planes That Won the War

The innovative Harrier was the first operational aircraft to employ vertical take-off and landing, or VTOL. Developed during the Cold War, the Harrier revolutionised airborne combat. Tactical experts were trying to overcome one of the basic drawbacks of the aeroplane — its reliance on runways, which are vulnerable to enemy bombing raids. Without operational runways or airstrips, an entire air force could effectively be grounded. Vertical take-off became the holy grail of air combat — and it materialised in the shape of the Harrier. The Harrier's maiden flight was in 1967, where it showcased how it propels air from its jet engine through four nozzles under the fuselage and how the nozzles can be angled downwards, lifting the plane straight up. This flexibility meant that Harriers could operate out of jungle clearings or from small helipads. Rob reveals the engineering design that went into producing such a game-changing fighter jet and how it contributed to the Cold War deterrent. We meet Harrier pilots who took part in its first combat operation in the Falklands War, and hear about the influential role that the planes played. The Harrier may now be retired from service in Britain, but its legacy continues to influence the modern jets of today's high-tech warfare.