GR.5 Harrier II No. 3 Squadron, RAF Gutersloh, Germany, 1990 (1:72)

The GR.7 series is part of the second generation of Harriers and replaced the older GR. 3. This variant is quite similar to the American designed AV-8B but is built under license and equipped with RAF specific navigation and defense systems and added under-wing pylons. The GR.7 is capable of carrying twice the load of the GR.3 or the same load twice as far. The GR.7 first flew in 1989 and entered service in 1990. Of the 96 GR.7 Harriers belonging to the RAF 62 originally were GR.5s that were upgraded to GR.7s.

RAF No. 3 Squadron was formed on May 13, 1912 and was the first RAF squadron to receive the new flying machines. The squadron's first encounter with the Harrier was in early 1970 when they received GR.1's. In 1977 No.3 Squadron were stationed at RAF Station G'tersloh, West Germany where they acquired the GR. 3 and the GR. 5. In 1992 No. 3 Squadron moved to RAF Station Laarburch, on the German border with the Netherlands, now flying the GR.7 Harrier. In 1997 they returned to RAF Station Cottesmore.

Specifications BAe Harrier II GR.7

Crew - 1

Dimensions
Length - 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m)
Wingspan - 30 ft 4 in (9.25 m)
Height - 11 ft 8 in (3.56 m)
Wing area - 343 ft^2 (22.6 m^2)

Weights
Empty - 12,500 lb (5,700 kg)
Loaded ' 15,703 lb (7,123 kg)
Maximum Takeoff -
VTO 18,950 lb (8,595 kg)
STO 31,000 lb (14,016 kg)

Powerplant
1_ Rolls-Royce Pegasus Mk. 105 turbofan with four thrust vectored exhaust nozzles, 21,750 lb (96.7 kN)
Performance
Maximum speed - 662 mph (1,065 km/h)
Combat radius - 300 nmi (556 km)
Ferry range - 2,015 mi ( 3,242.8 km )
Service ceiling - 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
Rate of climb - 14,715 ft/min (74.8 m/s)

Armament
Guns
2:30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannon pods under the fuselage (no longer fitted)
Hardpoints
8_ under-wing pylon stations (pylon 3 & 6 are meant only for Air-to-air missiles) holding up to 8,000 lb (3,650 kg) of payload
Rockets
4:LAU-5003 rocket pods (each with 19_ CRV7 70 mm rockets)
or
4:Matra rocket pods (each with 18_ SNEB 68 mm rockets)
Missiles
Air-to-air missile -
6:AIM-9 Sidewinders
or
6:AIM-132 ASRAAMs
Air-to-surface missile -
4:AGM-65 Maverick
or
6:Brimstone missiles
Bombs
A variety of air-to-ground ordnance such as the Paveway II/Paveway III/Paveway IV series of Laser-guided bombs
Or
unguided iron bombs (including 3 kg and 14 kg practice bombs)
Others
2:auxiliary drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time
or
reconnaissance pods (such as the Joint Reconnaissance Pod)