Harrier Jump Jet inspires Dyson designers (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Harrier Jump Jet inspires Dyson designers
11:10am Friday 27th April 2012 in North Wilts news By Tina Robins
Lea and Garsdon pupils visit the jet at Dyson
JAMES Dyson has parked one of his favourite British design icons outside his Malmesbury headquarters to provide inspiration for his designers.
The Harrier Jump Jet – a crash casualty that was brought over from East Anglia – has been attracting a lot of attention since it took up its position in the car park at the top of Tetbury Hill.
A group of youngsters from Lea and Garsdon Primary School are the latest to have got a close look.
The Harrier, famous for its ability to take off and land vertically, was an integral part of the RAF and the Royal Navy for more than three decades.
Controversially, the British fleet of aircraft was scrapped in 2010.
Sir James’s Harrier had a dramatic end to its flying days in 1997 when an attempted landing on a blacked-out HMS Invincible went wrong.
The aircraft plunged into the sea and turned over and the pilot, Wing Cdr Mark Leakey passed out on impact. When he came to and ejected he was fired straight down into the sea.
He was eventually rescued and made a full recovery.
