The Airplane the US Borrowed and Turned into a Monster

At a time when military prowess and innovation never rested, the revolutionary British Harrier jet rose as a game-changing design in aviation combat. Born from the genius of Hawker Siddeley in the 1960s, this trailblazing Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing warbird turned heads across the globe.

The original Harrier’s unique capabilities allowed it to soar from short runways, aircraft carriers, and even makeshift landing zones. It gave its pilots unparalleled agility and was used to perform formidable combat tactics during its service history.

But as with any other technology, age soon caught up with the mighty Harrier. By the 1980s, the design faced obsolescence.

However, the influential warplane was not done leaving its mark in modern warfare. Soon, the United States Marine Corps caught wind of the Harrier’s potential. Envisioning a bolder future, the USMC teamed up with British Aerospace and American giant McDonnell Douglas to forge an alliance capable of transforming the aging warbird into a modern aircraft fit for a new age of combat aviation.

As a phoenix emerging from the ashes, the American AV-8B Harrier II was reborn from the British Harrier’s design.

With enhanced aerodynamics, a mighty engine, cutting-edge avionics, and versatile weapons systems, the new Harrier II was ready to dominate the skies.

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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.

As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.

All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.

[lindybeige]

I find it astonishing that someone would choose to make a video about the history of the Harrier, and not even mention the Falklands conflict of 1982. Up to that, the world had scoffed at this slow aircraft. After that, airforces around the world wanted them. Its performance in dogfights was extraordinary.

[gavindawson]

Grew up in a house less than 1 mile away from RAF Waddington's runway and was lucky enough to have my bedroom window looking straight into the base. Waking up every morning to see upto 8 E-3 Sentry' was always a treat, but I'll never forget the first time I saw a Harrier perform a VTOL.

Instantly fell in love :')

[GreggFellows]

i'll never forget the Birmingham air show at Billesley common in 1973, they had a Harrier showing it's VTOL and hovering capabilities, simple fences and basic crowd control, it left quite an impression on me as a 6 year old kid, we also had the Vulcan there and the red arrows in Gnats skimming the tops of trees

[btbarr]

The most unique sounding jet aircraft ever. That engine whine is unmistakable no matter were I am at the airport.

[sincerewyd]

Was my favorite jet growing up as a kid. I always wanted to be a jump jet pilot.

[caeserromero]

3:57 The I-Harrier, designed by Steve Jobs 😂

[MarkKerrigan-hb]

Harrier was a great plane we make great planes uk

[msgtpauldfreed]

I remember when I was a young airman stationed at Little Rock AFB in Arkansas in the 80's I was left on the "Christmas Tree" doing a compass swing on a C-130. A Harrier came in on approach to the runway (apparently for refueling), saw me sitting out there with the equipment while everyone else was at lunch (like I said, I was an airman, low man on the totem pole), stopped in the air, turned towards me, dipped his nose, and raised up in the air. I saluted the pilot and smiled. He dipped the nose again, turned back to the runway and continued his landing.

[danielt.]

Should've talked about the importance of the Harrier in the Falklands war.

[JustMe-snkd]

As a kid I used to run outside base on their flight path for landing on the runway. They would have their thrust vectored down and you'd get a huge blast of jet wash, it was amazing! They knew we were coming too so they'd slow up a bit. We would wave at them and you could see them waving their wings at us sometimes. Once we even had 1 stop and hover over us for a moment :D This was 1 of my favorite aircraft growing up.

[watchthe]

In the USMC we were calling them the "scarrier" they were just too damed useful and the av-8b solved the issues. It was excellent-outstanding whoop ass on call during desert storm.

[exeterjedi]

Being under a vertical takeoff and steep angled climb by a Harrier at Plymouth Navy Days back in the 80s was the loudest thing I ever heard. The second loudest was front row at The Prodigy.

[paulbarnett]

The British Harrier was hugely important in the Falklands. The vectored thrust made it unbeatable in a dog fight.

[TheSpellb]

You forgot to mention it's service in the 'Falklands War' where it really first cut it's teeth and proved its self.

[joichiroSaiba-ij]

Should've talked about the importance of the Harrier in the Falklands war.. The aircraft was an incredible breakthrough, irrespective of issues..

[largolt]

Don't forget, it could travel 670 mph, FOUR times faster than any attack helicopter. In the Falklands War, Argentine chopper pilots were terrified of having to fly to the combat zone because the Harrier could hover and hide behind rocks and trees. It would pop up and usually, if you saw the Harrier, you were already dead.

[Pureignition]

If it wasn't for the Harrier jump jet we would not have the F-35.

[dentalnovember]

No mention of how complicated and difficult to fly the harrier is. These pilots are so highly trained.

[gryph]

I was at an airshow at London Ontario in the late 80's where an AV-8B was doing a demonstration. The plane landed a center stage and then did a vertical take off. It rose to about 40 feet when it wobbled and had a hard landing. The pilot shut the engine off when on the ground. Apparently, thevolane has an oil pressure failure when hovering.
Quick thinking with the pilot prevented a far worse accident.

[jiggsborah]

When I was a kid this aircraft and Concord were undergoing development and testing and I saw them come in and I remember how amazed we all were at all the development around us .
The future was big back then .
Unfortunately that excitement died out and innovation appears to have stagnated.