Mark A. Chambers charts the history and output of Hawker Aircraft Ltd from Sopwith onwards, through the Harrier's development, production, flight testing and operational and combat history, and also considers its future replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

During the Falklands War in 1982, RAF and Fleet Air Arm Harriers and Sea Harriers flew in action against the invading Argentinean forces. RAF Harriers have also seen active service over Bosnia, in Desert Storm 1 and 2, and in Afghanistan. The Hawker Siddeley/Bae Harrier, formally referred to as the 'Harrier' or colloquially as the 'Jump Jet', is a British-designed military jet combat aircraft capable of Vertical/Short Take-off and Landing (V/STOL) via thrust vectoring. The Harrier family is the only truly successful design of this type from the many that arose in the 1960s.The Hawker P.1127 first flew as a prototype in 1960 and the RAF ordered a modified P.1127/Kestrel as the Harrier GR1 in 1966. Harriers of a number of different marks have since been used by the RAF, US Marine Corps, the Royal Navy, the Spanish Navy and the Royal Thai Navy.

The conception of the Pegasus engine in 1957 upset all the conventions of aircraft design. It was previously usual for aircraft designers to seek a suitable engine, but this was an engine that sought an aircraft. The aircraft that resulted was the famous Harrier that is still in front-line service with air forces around the world including the RAF and US Marine Corps. This book takes an in-depth look at the engine's original design concept, initial production and flight testing. It then goes on to explain how the developments and improvements have been made over the ensuing years and includes experiences of operational combat flying, both from land and sea. The book is written in a non technical style that makes comfortable reading for all enthusiasts and historians and is copiously illustrated with many previously unseen photographs and diagrams.