Italian Harriers

Italian Harriers — air-to-air

Exclusive air-to-air photography of the Italian Navy's AV-8B Harrier II jump jets — including the ultra-rare twin-seat TAV-8B and a special ‘tigertail’ machine — shot along the coast of Southern Italy from the Short Skyvan photoship. With the Marina Militare now moving to the F-35B, these are among the last air-to-air images of one of the world's last operational Harrier fleets. Every image is available to license.

AV-8BItalian Navy Harrier II

TAV-8Brare twin-seat ‘unicorn’

air-to-airover Southern Italy

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Italian Navy Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II jump jet air-to-air over the coast of Southern Italy, photographed by Aviation PhotoCrew from the Short Skyvan photoship

Aircraft: Italian Navy (Marina Militare) AV-8B Harrier II Plus, plus the twin-seat TAV-8B trainer — V/STOL ‘jump jets’

Unit & carrier: Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati (GRUPAER), the Navy's embarked air group, flown from the carrier Cavour

Based: Grottaglie, Southern Italy; a special ‘tigertail’ Harrier and the ultra-rare twin-seat TAV-8B feature in the set

Shot from: the Short Skyvan photoship (air-to-air) along the coast of Southern Italy, August 2023

Photographer: Aviation PhotoCrew (represented by Piemags Aviation)

Status: sunset era — the Marina Militare is replacing its Harriers with the F-35B, making the AV-8B one of the last operational Harriers in the world

Images: the full air-to-air set, available to license

Frequently asked questions

What aircraft are these?

Italian Navy (Marina Militare) AV-8B Harrier II Plus jump jets — vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) fighters flown from the aircraft carrier Cavour by the Gruppo Aerei Imbarcati. The gallery includes single-seat Harriers, a special ‘tigertail’ jet, and the ultra-rare twin-seat TAV-8B trainer.

When and where were these photos taken?

Air-to-air along the coast of Southern Italy in August 2023, shot from the Short Skyvan photoship with the Harriers staging out of Grottaglie. With the Marina Militare now transitioning to the F-35B, they capture one of the world's last operational Harrier fleets.

Can I license these images?

Yes. Every image is available to license for editorial and commercial use, or to order as a museum-quality fine-art print, with full-resolution files delivered on approval. Get in touch for a specific frame or usage.

Who photographed them?

Aviation PhotoCrew, the world-renowned air-to-air team represented exclusively by Piemags Aviation, shooting from their Short Skyvan photoship. Enquire about flying on a photomission.