Hawker P.1127, Kestrel and Harrier

The development of high-performance vertical take-off aeroplanes has proved to be one of the landmarks of aviation history, showcasing the best of British design and innovation. Yet the path to success was by no means straightforward and considerable effort was required to turn the concept of vertical take-off into a reality. Perhaps the pinnacle of first generation V/STOL design was the Hawker P.1127 and follow-on Kestrel and Harrier, a programme which evolved after a number of alternative designs and ideas had been rejected and one which required rigorous flight testing by the manufacturer and the RAF. Drawing on a wide range of original documents, Tony Buttler presents a comprehensive analysis of the creation and refinement of the world’s first successful V/STOL combat aircraft.