BAe Harrier II (UK versions) - Technical data and discussion

[MrPygmyWhale]

That’ll do it. Thank you.

[Sea_Harrier_FRS1]

@MrPygmyWhale

Just an honest question, what are the differences between the AV-8B(NA) and Harrier GR7 that make the AV-8B(NA) 555 kg heavier? Their engines way the same in the current build of War Thunder and the two have very similar flight models, sharing some metrics. However, the Harrier GR7 far out-performs the AV-8B(NA) in turn performance, from what I can gather, because of the difference in weight; despite the AV-8B(NA) having 820 kgf more thrust with its engine.

Not complaining, just looking for insight incase I may have missed something.

@kizvy

I’m pretty sure the av-8b is far too light if i remember right, should be much heavier. anyways the av8b was reinforced in order to carry much more ordinance over the gr7

Wrong. The NA’s wing was reinforced, the British Harrier IIs all had a 25% (can’t remember the exact increase but a similar number to that) bigger wing to accommodate an extra AAM only pylon on both wings which caused a huge increase of lift. Only the Lerx on the first American Harrier IIs was 100% instead of 75% for most British Harriers

[AblativeKitten]

@Sea Harrier FRS1

British Harrier IIs all had a 25% (can’t remember the exact increase but a similar number to that) bigger wing to accommodate an extra AAM only pylon on both wings

Lol what.
The wing Dimensions are the same. 22.6 meters squared.

@Sea Harrier FRS1

extra AAM only pylon on both wings

The AV-8B can mount the same pylons, just don’t cause the American were worried about the wheels melting when firing.

@Sea Harrier FRS1

Only the Lerx on the first American Harrier IIs was 100% instead of 75% for most British Harriers

Both the NA and GR.7 have 65% LERX in game. In both cases LERX was rather adhoc, with different airframes with the same designation getting different amounts of LERX.

Why be so googlably wrong?

[AblativeKitten]

No idea if it’s modelled in game, but the British Harrier IIs have a stiffer wing due to strengthening along the leading edge (for bird strikes), so they do handle a bit different IRL.

[Tigershark_3082]

On the topic of the LERX: I feel like I’ve seen pictures of the very early AV-8Bs (later designated as Day Attack Harrier IIs) having a smaller LERX than the later AV-8B NAs and AV-8B Radars. Is that true, or is my brain just messing with me?

[AblativeKitten]

Fig. 1 - Harrier GR.5

Fig. 2 - Harrier GR.9
The Harrier 2’s were fitted with two kinds of LERX, the 65% we have in game and is pictured in Fig.1, and the 100% which we have on the AMRAAM flinger Harrier IIs, pictured in Fig.2. The 100% LERX is only compatible with later airframes as it needs some small structural changes from the factory.
The easiest way to tell the 65% and 100% LERX apart is by the “frog eyes” sticking out the top of the wing. IIRC something to do with the fire suppression system that’s embedded in the leading edge on 65% LERX models. Edit: Doesn’t apply to the twinseat harriers though.

I’m not aware of any flying without LERX though. Sorry if this wasn’t helpful.

Edit: I just checked, the US AV-8B(NA) does have the 100% LERX, so the “Early” versions you’re thinking off are probably using the 65% LERX like the British Harriers in game do

[Tigershark_3082]

No worries, this has actually been extremely helpful! :D

As for the non-LERX Harrier II, that would only be the YAV-8B, though the two that existed were converted from AV-8Cs: