Text & Photos. Pere Vilalta
On July 15th, those of us who were at the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, central England, enjoying the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) air show, had the opportunity to once again witness the evolution of the Spanish Navy’s Harrier, which caused a very good impression and generated excitement among the audience.
Two Spanish Navy aircraft flew to Fairford, VA1B-26/01-916 and VA1B-24/01-914 from the 9th Squadron, supported by a Cessna Citation II from the 4th Squadron and a C-295 from the 35th Wing, based in Getafe, T21-01/35-01. This aircraft also provided cover for the Patrulla Águila, which also participated in the Air Tattoo, representing the Air Force.
The aircraft that participated in the exhibition was the McDonnell Douglas Harrier AV-8B+, a STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) fighter with the serial VA.1B-26 / 01-916. It had a painted tail, where you can read the inscription of the 9th Squadron and the motto “supramarem et terra” (over the sea and on land). Along with the photo of a cobra, which alludes to the Cobra radio callsign. The aircraft was acquired on June 7, 1996, and was modernized in 2016, being equipped with an AN/APG-65 multi-mode radar and various smart bomb mounts. It is based in Rota, Cádiz.
The display was divided into two parts. The first featured what could be its successor in the Spanish Navy in the coming years: the American-made F-35B Lightning II, this time flying the British flag and number ZM154, serial number BK-20. After the F-35B’s solo display, it began its exhibition, alternating flybys and static jumps with 180-degree turns, delighting the audience. Then there was a second solo display.
In the photo we can see it, with its natural successor, the RAF F-35B, and in one of the static parts of the exhibition.
