May 2009
A Harrier hovers during its flight demonstration at the Watsonville Fly-In. McDonnell Douglas extensively redesigned the earlier AV-8A Harrier to create the AV-8B. While retaining the general layout of its predecessor, the aircraft incorporates a new wing, an elevated cockpit, and a redesigned fuselage, along with other design refinements. The Harrier II was the first combat aircraft to extensively employ carbon-fiber composite materials, comprising 26% of the aircraft’s structure. Harriers have served with the US Marine Corps, Royal Air Force/Royal Navy, and the navies of Spain and Italy, since 1985. Nikon D300 w/80-200mm.