U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II aircraft with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) land aboard the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) during flight operations in the South China Sea June 29, 2011. VMA-214 was conducting an air qualification exercise in order to provide air support to the 31st MEU during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl Steve Acuff, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)
The US, Spain, and Italy still operate Harriers. The Brits retired the last of theirs in December.
A couple of weeks ago there, was a report that the US government had bought some of the retired British planes for spare parts to keep the Marine Harriers flying until the F-35B arrives, but the Ministry of Defence denied it. Does anyone have any clarification on this story?
I think the AV8B’s have different wings and ducts to let air in, and nozzels for for air to go out.
The British developed their Harriers separate to the US so they would probably not have a lot of interchangeable parts. Especially on the electrical side.
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/av8b/news/2000/news_release_000511n.htm
OK the British GR5,7,9’s had the bigger wings too. So I dunno.
Thailand also operates Harriers.