Description

There have been some questions about he aircraft featured in the Calvine photograph. I used to (sort of) do this stuff for a living, mostly with abstract signals and the like, but occasionally photos as well. Here's my crack at it:

The aircraft is far behind the object and banked in towards the object (rolled to port, approx 30 degrees). It is a high-wing jet aircraft with a rounded nose; the wings are set towards the center of the fuselage consistent with a Harrier strike aircraft. The positioning of the aircraft would give the pilot good visibility of the object; I would assume the pilot was aware of the object and turning in to perform a fly-by or engagement. The other possible candidate for a high wing jet aircraft c. 1990's England is the Panavia Tornado, which has wings much further back on the fuselage and a more aggressively pointed nose. Tactically, it would also have a harder time intercepting a stationary, hovering target compared to a Harrier. I would love to hear from the pilot.

I would agree with assessment of the object's size at about 35m / 100 ft. It is most likely not a spy vehicle or drone operated by any nation known to humanity.

https://preview.redd.it/sxxipacxlkh91.jpg?width=777&format=pjpg&auto=…

https://preview.redd.it/h9bb79s1okh91.jpg?width=777&format=pjpg&auto=…

EDIT, AKA why I’m 78% sure it’s a harrier: The port wing looks brighter because it is in line with the sun and reflecting a greater amount of light. If both wings were flat or at a dihedral angle as on a Hawker Hunter or A-6/ EA-6 then the starboard wing would be equally illuminated. The Harriet’s wings are anhedral, so the starboard wing appears darker as it is angled away from the sun during the roll as seen in the photo. 15 years ago I would’ve been right on that, but I guess I’ve got to knock some rust off. Sorry!

Also, I still have no clue as to what the mysterious object could be.

Addendum #2: Wing sweep angles for doubters. Consistent with a Harrier:

Sweep and underwing pod\/ hardpoint a la Harrier (https://preview.redd.it/aebl2c941di91.jpg?width=777&format=pjpg&auto=…)