Its pilot, Sub-lieutenant Ian “soapy” Watson undergoing his first NATO exercise for HMS Illustrious, which was operating off the coast of Portugal.
After completing a search for a French aircraft carrier under combat conditions, running out of fuel and with his radio having stopped working, he headed towards a nearby shipping lane where he made visual contact. He noticed that its cargo provided a flat landing service and so landed there. For days later the ship which was carrying a base plate for a telescope arrived in Tenerife with the 7 million sea harrier fighter still perched on its container.
After completing a search for a French aircraft carrier under combat conditions, running out of fuel and with his radio having stopped working, he headed towards a nearby shipping lane where he made visual contact. He noticed that its cargo provided a flat landing service and so landed there. For days later the ship which was carrying a base plate for a telescope arrived in Tenerife with the 7 million sea harrier fighter still perched on its container.
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19-07-21 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR