Shropshire’s Hidden Harrier
The Lightning Preservation Group, Vulcan Restoration Trust, and The Buccaneer Aviation Group are all well‑known organisations keeping former Cold War jets running in live, taxiable condition. However, a farm in Shropshire is home to one of the UK’s more under‑the‑radar taxiable jets: Harrier GR3 XV808.
Millington Engineering in Bridgnorth is the team responsible for the restoration and continued upkeep of the world’s last running Harrier GR3. Retired from Royal Air Force service in 1990, the aircraft spent time as an instructional airframe at Halton and later Culdrose before being purchased by Millington Engineering in 2012.
Within just two years, the Pegasus engine was roaring back to life on XV808, with its first post‑restoration taxi runs on the company’s field airstrip completed shortly afterwards.
The Harrier GR3 makes the occasional public appearance, often at Millington Engineering’s open days, but January 2025 provided a rare opportunity to photograph the jet at night during a Timeline Events photoshoot.
XV808 was positioned alongside the grass runway with a clean, clutter‑free backdrop, and an engine run took place right at dusk. The wonderful colours of the blue hour contrasted beautifully with the green and grey camouflage of the 233 Operational Conversion Unit‑marked jet, creating a striking scene for the assembled photographers.
