Harrier. Vertical Velocity Warfare

The Hawker Harrier was an incredible aircraft. It was the first operational combat aircraft that, thanks to its vertical take-off and landing capability, did not require conventional airfields or aircraft carriers. Designed to meet Cold War requirements, the Harrier became a remarkably effective ground-attack aircraft.
Illustrated with over 100 photographs, this book details the aircraft's history, origins, and evolution.

It traces the transformation of the P.1127 into the Kestrel, then the Harrier, and finally the AV-8B. The book explains why the Harrier holds a special place in the history of military aviation. Development continued through the 1960s and 1970s, and the Harrier matured into a versatile aircraft of immense value to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps and numerous export customers worldwide. In the United States, the Harrier eventually evolved into the AV-8B, or Super Harrier. By all accounts, the Harrier was a major success, even though it fell victim to politics and budget constraints.