Pegasus, the Heart of the Harrier: The History and Development of the World's First Operational Vertical Take-off and Landing Jet Engine
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Overview
This volume chronicles the making of the Harrier Jump Jet—the innovative Cold War fighter aircraft designed to operate from virtually anywhere.
In 1957, the British engine manufacturer Bristol Siddeley turned aircraft design on its head with the creation of the Pegasus engine. Until then, aircraft designs would seek out suitable engines. Now the Pegasus was an engine in search of a suitable aircraft. The result was the famous Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first military airplane capable of vertical takeoff and landings. To this day, Harrier Jump Jets are still in front-line service with air forces around the world including the Royal Air Force and US Marine Corps.
In this volume, former Bristol Siddeley executive Andrew Dow offers an in-depth look at the Pegasus engine’s original design concept, production and flight testing. Dow then covers the developments and improvements that have been made over the years. He also includes experiences of operational combat flying, both from land and sea. Written in straightforward prose that avoids technical jargon, Pegasus, The Heart of the Harrier is copiously illustrated with many previously unseen photographs and diagrams.
In 1957, the British engine manufacturer Bristol Siddeley turned aircraft design on its head with the creation of the Pegasus engine. Until then, aircraft designs would seek out suitable engines. Now the Pegasus was an engine in search of a suitable aircraft. The result was the famous Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first military airplane capable of vertical takeoff and landings. To this day, Harrier Jump Jets are still in front-line service with air forces around the world including the Royal Air Force and US Marine Corps.
In this volume, former Bristol Siddeley executive Andrew Dow offers an in-depth look at the Pegasus engine’s original design concept, production and flight testing. Dow then covers the developments and improvements that have been made over the years. He also includes experiences of operational combat flying, both from land and sea. Written in straightforward prose that avoids technical jargon, Pegasus, The Heart of the Harrier is copiously illustrated with many previously unseen photographs and diagrams.
- Title: Pegasus, the Heart of the Harrier: The History & Development of the World's First Operational Vertical Take-off & Landing Jet Engine
- Author: Andrew Dow
- Publisher: Pen & Sword Aviation
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Pages: 543
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781473817142, 9781848840423, 184884042X, 1473817145
- Resource ID: LLS:9781473817142
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-21T15:56:05Z
Andrew Dow was born into a railway family. After a first career in aviation, which later resulted in his book Pegasus - The Heart of the Harrier, he spent two years as Head of the National Railway Museum before joining British Railways as the privatisation effort started. He played a key role in the successful management buy-out that created Fastline Track Renewals, and he led the effort that resulted in Fastline acquiring and operating the first continuous-process track renewals machine in the country. He retired in 1999 and has since been writing, primarily on railways. He has also produced a number of DVDs on railway engineering and maintenance. During the course of research for this book he re-catalogued about half of the NRM permanent way collection.