AA29304 BAe Harrier GR9A - ZG478 - RAF No.41 (R) Sqn

An aircraft which was designed to be at the close air support forefront of any military combat situation, the BAe Harrier GR9A was the ultimate incarnation of this incredible aircraft, featuring the most powerful variant of the Rolls Royce Pegasus engine, along with upgraded avionics and weapons capability.

Harrier ZG478 was operated by the Coningsby based No.41(R) Squadron, the Fast Jet Test & Evaluation Unit, which flew sorties in close collaboration with defence manufacturers and research institutions to enable the successful integration of new weapons and effective delivery techniques. 

Established as a reserve squadron on 31st March 2006, the unit operated a mixed fleet of Harriers and Tornado GR4’s in this important role, with Harrier ZG478 sporting this spectacular special tail in celebration of No.41 Squadron’s 90th Anniversary during 2006. 

The double (patriarchal) cross crest is proudly carried in honour of the unit’s first overseas deployment to the French town of St Omer during the Great War, and is taken from the town’s flag and was adopted, along with the motto ‘Seek and Destroy’ by the squadron in early 1937. 

This aircraft was famously destroyed by fire after a heavy landing when entering a busy pattern at Kandahar Airport during the War in Afghanistan in May 2009. With the tail striking the ground, the pilot successfully ejected when flames started licking around the cockpit, with the aircraft eventually succumbing to the flames.