Summer 1974. Lahr, BRD.

Troopies on break, sitting out in the sunshine in view of the runway, bored.

Jet engine sounds are coming close. A Starfighter? Not this time.

The jet comes into sight but the profile is not one we're familiar with.

Then someone asks, "Is that effer slowing down????"

It was slowing down. A lot! Then it stopped. In mid-air, it stopped.

Then that effer started moving backwards.

And then, perhaps because he was having fun, the pilot spun that plane around a few times before going back the way he'd come, all without ever touching the ground.

​

First time seeing a Harrier in action.