Press/Media

18 September 2008

AV-8C Harrier Now on Display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

San Diego — The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM) aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is pleased to announce its newest arrival, an AV-8C Harrier.

This particular airframe, Bureau Number 158387 is a Hawker Siddeley-built GR MK 1 and began life as an AV-8A. With engine and other modifications, it earned its “C” designation.

FLAM’s Harrier was delivered 16 February 1971 to the US Navy’s Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, where it served as a part of the curriculum as the Harrier is the only allied VSTOL (Vertical Short Take Off and Landing) aircraft in the world.

The aircraft was then turned over to NASA 21 January 1986 and served that organization as a boundary layer test machine which led to wing modifications resulting in the AV-8B that is currently flown. The aircraft was obtained from the NASA Ames Research Facility at Moffett Federal Airfield. After an uneventful two trips from the Bay Area, the wing, tail, and fuselage were reassembled on site. The plane will retain its NASA markings for a short while before being painted Marine Corps colors and reflecting the markings of the Marine Corps’ first Harrier Squadron, Marine Attack Squadron 513, the “Nightmares.” VMA-513 is a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing squadron stationed at MCAS Yuma, Arizona. The squadron took possession of the AV-8B II in October 1987.

According to Flying Leatherneck Museum Curator Steve Smith, it’s a real coup to get the Harrier. “If we hadn’t been able to obtain this one, we would have had to wait until 2019 for another chance.”

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. The museum may only be reached through its Miramar Road gate (8600 block of Miramar Road), just west of MCAS Miramar’s North Gate. Look for US and Marine Corps flags proudly flying.

The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation (FLHF) is the 501(c)(3) organization that provides volunteer and financial support to the museum. Please visit the website at www.flyingleathernecks.org for more information.

Semper Fidelis

Public Relations Contact:
Susan Hathaway
Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation
858-453-4473
858-354-6365