On the evening of May 16th I joined the Team for the ferry briefing. I was to fly as No.5. Next day we strapped-in and started up, all ready to go...except for me. I found that my 'electrics' refused to come on-line. I pressed the reset button many times but to no effect. However, it just so happened that our two chase Hunters were also ready for Wittering. So, determined not to be left behind, I ran over to the Hunter Mk9 affectionately known as 'Fred', strapped-in again, took off and arrived shortly after the Harriers.

This event must go down in history as one of the lowest key first deliveries to the RAF of any new type. We were met by a few ground staff who made the necessary arrangements to help us push the Harriers into the hangar. We then discovered that the furniture for the Operational Conversion Unit offices was all stacked outside the allocated building, so we just had to set about carrying in the chairs, desks and filing cabinets.

Thus did the Harrier join the Air Force; not just a new aeroplane but the start of a new concept of operations.