AV-8B Harrier II Showing the Insane Jump Over Aircraft Carrier. The AV-8B Harrier II is the U.S. military’s only short takeoff, vertical landing jet aircraft in current inventory. 22,000 pounds of thrust enable the Harrier II to hover like a helicopter, and then blast forward like a jet at near-supersonic speeds

Absolutely love this aircraft! When my ex was in the Marines we were stationed at MCAS Cherry Point. He was actually in the squadron that is represented by the Ace of Spades. It was so cool to be able to see these every day!

In 1970 I was in a British Royal Engineers troop laying landing pads and building camouflage hides in West Germany - as was - for the original Harrier squadron of the Royal Air Force. From the almost tiny originals to these amazing aircraft is fascinating to see.

My experience being near a Harrier jump-jet, defies what I have read about their capabilities ! I was drawn here by the Thumb nail, depicting a Harrier blasting off nearly vertically ! I was in the U.S.M.C. on maneuvers, and we were operating with various support vehicles, the Harrier being one ! I was positioned in some tall Elephant grass, for lack of a better explanation, and I don't remember seeing the plane land, so it very well was on the ground, when I took up position near it ! Too, I just read that the Marines didn't start using Harriers until long after my story ? As this was in the late 70's ! So unless the Navy was flying support for us then, I can't explain this ? Anyway after some time setting, the aircraft engine began to start and pretty quickly lifted into the air, did a slow turn to the right of my position, tilted the nose in an upward looking position and throttled up and blasted off like a rocket, nearly straight up !