JUMP JET

Signed on the front end paper by the author and

John Fozard ~ Harrier Chief Designer
John Farley ~ Harrier Test & Demonstration Pilot
Bill Bedford ~ Harrier Chief Test Pilot
Duncan Simpson ~ Harrier Test Pilot

Brassey’s Publisher’s Ltd First edition 1978.  265 pages and well illustrated with photographs.

A Fine condition hardback book in two-tone red and blue boards. Clean, tight and bright. The unclipped dustjacket is in VG condition and it looks smart in its protective cover.

The dramatic concept of vertical/short take off and landing was the biggest breakthrough in military aviation since the jet engine itself and the Harrier was the pioneer.  This is the full story of the genesis of this revolutionary aircraft and its development into an operational fighter including the Sea Harrier and AV8B. It is written in lively prose, profusely illustrated with photographs and charts and written with the full co-operation of the manufacturers.

Bill Bedford flew Hurricanes, Thunderbolts and Mustangs in WWII and post-war became a test pilot. In 1956, he took over as Hawker Aircraft’s Chief Test Pilot, a position he held until 1967. He was the first pilot to fly the Hawker P.1127, Kestrel, and Harrier. On 8 February 1963, he achieved one of many “firsts:” the operation of a fixed-wing jet V/STOL aircraft from a ship: the Hawker P.1127 aboard the HMS Ark Royal. He died in 1996.

John Farley was an aeronautical engineer and an RAF fighter pilot before attending the Empire Test Pilots’ School. In 1964, he was posted to the Aerodynamics Research Flight at RAE Bedford and was introduced to the P.1127.  He joined Hawker Aviation as a company test pilot in 1967 following his service in the RAF, which led to his appointment as the Hawker Deputy Chief Test Pilot in 1971 and BAe Chief Test Pilot in 1978. In this capacity, he began work on the development of the Sea Harrier, and was the first pilot to undertake a take-off with the aid of the ski-jump. During his 19 years with the company he concentrated on the development of the Harrier and Sea Harrier and played a key role in obtaining export orders, in particular to the US Marine Corps. A renowned Harrier display pilot, John passed away in 2018 aged 85.

John Fozard (1928–1996) was a British aeronautical engineer who helped to design the Harrier.  He worked for Hawker Siddeley from 1950 and after development work on a number of designs (which were cancelled by the infamous 1957 Defence White Paper) he concentrated on the P.1127 and then the P.1154.  He was Chief Designer of the Harrier from 1965 to 1978, taking over from Ralph Hooper.

Duncan Simpson (1927- 2017) was a Scottish test pilot who played a key role in the development of the Hunter, the Harrier, and the Hawk advanced trainer. He flew the first production Harrier in December 1967, and the first two-seat Harrier in April 1969. He was the chief test pilot of Hawker Siddeley in the 1970s. 

An excellent book on the development of the Harrier, signed by several of the key players in its story.