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Post by demurealice on Dec 26, 2017 17:51:44 GMT
  In 1975, with Guatemala in the grip of a bloody civil war, there was a real fear that Guatemalan forces might invade Belize and at the very least widen their Caribbean coastline. To bolster the resident British Army garrison, a detachment of six Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1As from No. 1 Squadron was sent to Belize international airport. Thus was born HarDet Belize; the six aircraft were operated from semi-permanent hides, named using the NATO phonetic alphabet. Alpha and Bravo hides were set up in the grounds of the Belikin brewery outside the gates to the garrison; Charlie and Delta hides were set up on the other side of the garrison access road. Echo hide either never existed or formed the basis of the Tie-down engine running pan at the eastern end of the runway. Foxy (contracted from Foxtrot) and Golf hides were set up around the airport fire station (which remained active), even using some of the fire station buildings. Hotel, India and Juliet hides were arranged around the access taxiway to Williamson Hangar and the edge of the airport apron. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2017 18:27:11 GMT
In 1975, with Guatemala in the grip of a bloody civil war, there was a real fear that Guatemalan forces might invade Belize and at the very least widen their Caribbean coastline. To bolster the resident British Army garrison, a detachment of six Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1As from No. 1 Squadron was sent to Belize international airport. Thanks for this interesting history fact!!! I never knew about that!! Regards, Aharon |
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Dec 26, 2017 18:28:01 GMT
I only ever saw one of these aircraft .... "ONCE" .... and which participated in a 3 day air pageant at AKL International Airport during late 1992.
They're not rare "up there" in the UK .... but .... are "VERY RARE" down here in NZ .... since it's never been seen here again since that 1992 air pageant .... during which it was an interesting, if not "V-E-R-Y N-O-I-S-E-Y" experience, particularly during VTOL and hovering manouvers.
The aircraft certainly proved itself in carrier-borne/based strike/attack operations during the Falklands War back in the early 1980's .... and to the extent I think the US even acquired a small number of them after that event.
How does this simulation handle VTOL and hovering type operations in FS .... if at all ?
Mark C
AKL/NZ
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