Military Model Scene

Title: Harrier GR 7/9 Units in Combat
Author: Michael Napier
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5761-3

Number 151 in the Combat Aircraft series from Osprey. A 96-page soft-cover book, with artwork by illustrator Janusz Swiatlon.
The Hawker Harrier is one of the iconic RAF aircraft of the Cold War era. After many years of good service, including the work of both the RAF GR3 and Royal Navy FRS1 in the Falklands war, there was room for improvements. This led to the Harrier II, or the AV8A in US service, with a bigger wing and more power from new engines amongst other improvements. As the author explains, by the time it came into service it already needed upgrading, and this led to the GR7 and then the GR9. This book takes us through the service life of these late mark Harriers in Nos. 1, 3 and 4 Squadrons of the RAF, as well as their combination with No 800 Naval Air Squadron as the Joint Harrier Force. The 6 chapters take us through a series of conflicts where the Harrier saw action. They include Northern Iraq and Belize, Bosnia, Carrier Operations, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. A wide variety of combat stories, with plenty of missions affected by weather, working with other allied units on operations, the opposition they faced and one or two issues which I think will make many readers smile. Technology improved, such as with targeting pods and the laser guided bombs themselves. Then at the end, the Harrier was withdrawn from service, not because they weren't effective, but to save money from the defence budget.
Included in the book, as well as plenty of fine colour photos illustrating the Harrier, there is a section of artwork profiles, for 24 aircraft, and the more detailed descriptions of each one are included as an appendix at the end of the book. At home in the UK, many of us will have been familiar with seeing the Harrier do it's 'party tricks' at air shows around the UK, but this book reminds us they saw considerable service on our behalf, around the world. Another good addition to the Combat Aircraft series.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin