Reading,PA — At the recently held Reading Air Fest in Reading, PA, Art Nalls and the Nalls Aviation crew were kind enough to let the Air Museum network tag along for a ride in the World’s only privately owned Harrier Jump Jet.
Ok maybe “tag along for a ride” means we were provided with onboard cockpit video of the performance. Still, the views from and into the cockpit show just how much is really going to keep this aircraft flying.
About the Aircraft
The Nalls Aviation’s aircraft is a Sea Harrier Model FA.2, also known as the “SHAR.” It is a single-engine, single-seat Vertical, Short, Takeoff and Landing (VSTOL) fighter, designed specifically for service with the British Royal Navy and operations aboard ship.
This version was a modification from the GR-1/GR-3 versions of the Harrier which were in service with the Royal Air Force. The specific changes made from the GR versions for the Royal Navy were to change many of the airframe and engine components from magnesium to aluminum for more corrosion-resistance in the shipboard environment. In addition, the cockpit was raise almost a foot and given a bubble canopy for increased visibility and the addition of a Blue Fox radar and associated avionics for the Strike/Fighter missions.
The aircraft owned by Nalls Aviation is the world’s first and only privately-owned and flown Harrier of any kind. It carries the British Royal Navy number XZ-439 and is registered in the United States as N94422.
Of the more than 45 different Harrier variants, there were only 76 Sea Harriers built. This one is the oldest surviving SHAR and the second one to roll off the assembly line. This aircraft is extremely rare.
About LtCol. Art Nalls USMC (ret)
West Point graduate Art Nalls received his Naval Aviator wings of gold in 1979. His first operational aircraft assignment was the AV-8A “Harrier” and he was assigned to VMA-231 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC. While stationed there, he became carrier-qualified in the AV-8A “Harrier” aboard the USS Iwo Jima and made several shipboard deployments, virtually over the world.
With over 900 hours in the Harrier and over 400 shipboard landings, Art was selected as the one and only Marine Corps Pilot to attend the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards, AFB, CA. Only one Marine per year is sent to Edwards and in 1985, it was Art.
After graduation and as a newly-designated Test Pilot, Art was assigned to NAS Patuxent River, MD to join three other Marine Corps test pilots flight testing the then-new AV-8B “Harrier II.”
Art retired from the Marine Corps and started a real estate development company, Nalls Development and Investment, specializing in restoring and developing the neglected areas of historic Washington, D.C., such as Anacostia and South West Washington, D.C.
It’s not too late this year to see Art and his Harrier in person. Come out this weekend (October 29,30, 2016) and see them in action at the NAS Patuxent River Air Expo.
Special thanks to Art Nalls, Lloyd Gill and the rest of the Nalls Aviation crew!