McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II: books - history

BAE Systems Harrier II & Boeing AV-8B: Flying with air forces around the world (Duke Hawkins)

This beautiful Duke Hawkins photo book extensively presents the BAE Systems Harrier II and Boeing AV-8B, in service with the Royal Air Force and US Marine Corps plus the Italian and Spanish Navies.
The book contains not only action photos, but many " walkaround" photos that show details of the aircraft from different angles. Chapters on cockpit (single-seater and two-seater), fuselage, armament and maintenance work.

The series "Aircraft in Detail" arose from the collaboration between pilots, aircraft technicians and modellers. This volume (No. 11) on the BAE Harrier II and Boeing AV-8B is illustrated with over 400 very high quality color photographs, most of which have never been published before.

McDonnell Douglas Harrier II AV-8B, Bplus

This book is a concise, illustrated history of the legendary McDonnell Douglas Harrier II AV-8B and BPlus. Covered are its technical developments, markings, and use by U.S., British, Spanish and other forces.

AV-8B Harrier II Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom I-VI (Osprey)

The AV-8B Harrier was, and still is, the only tactical aircraft that can deploy with the US Marine Corps on amphibious assault ships and provide air cover and close air support separate from large deck aircraft carriers.
Having seen action during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Harrier II returned to the theatre from March 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the initial conflict some 76 AV-8Bs were deployed, providing more than 40 per cent of the 3rd Marine Air Wing's fixed-wing offensive firepower. Around 60 of these aircraft were sea-based aboard four 'Harrier Carriers', while a unit flew jets from Ahmed al Jaber, in Kuwait.
Unlike in 1991, when Harrier IIs employed unguided weapons, 79 per cent of the ordnance dropped was precision-guided. This was primarily due to the AV-8B's upgrading to Night Attack or radar-equipped configuration, and the introduction of the Litening II targeting pod. Following the occupation of Iraq by Coalition troops, Harrier IIs remained in-theatre supporting anti-insurgent operations through to 2008 as part of OIF II-VI.

Contents: Introduction - USMC and AV-8B Air Support - Operation Southernwatch - OIF-I - VMA-214 - OIF I - VMA-311 and VMA-211 - OIF I - VMA-542, VMA-233 and VMA-231 - OIF II - III - OIF IV - OIF V - VI - Appendices.

AV-8B Harrier II Units of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Osprey)

The AV-8B is the only tactical aircraft that can deploy with Marine forces on amphibious assault ships and provide air cover and close air support separate from large deck aircraft carriers. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, a coalition of nations launched Operation Desert Shield in order to defend Saudi Arabia, and the Harrier II was among the first tactical air assets to be deployed to the region. During Operation Desert Storm, the five units flying the AV-8B in-theatre became some of the top tactical squadrons of choice by air mission planners because of the pilots' skill as well as the plane's vertical take-off ability.
The previously untold story of the AV-8B in this conflict is vividly brought to life by the author through first-hand accounts and period photography sourced from those that were there and official archives. This is the first of three volumes on USMC Harrier IIs in combat, with follow-on titles covering the jet's operations in Iraq in 2003-08 and Afghanistan in 2001-2009.

Contents: Introduction - AV-8B and the MAGTF - VMA-311 and MAG-13 (Forward) - VMA-542 - VMA-331 and VMA-513 - VMA-231 - Appendices.