Following the summer months, we’ve dedicated time to expand on our illustration series, this time exploring a compelling “what-if” scenario: What if the US Marine Corps had chosen the P.1216 as their next-generation VSTOL aircraft, succeeding the first generation Harriers, instead of the AV-8B Harrier II? This article delves into this fascinating hypothetical, showcasing a series of illustrations depicting an “Americanized” P.1216 in various USMC camouflage schemes and operational contexts.
The P.1216, a remarkable aircraft design, serves as the focal point of our exploration. While the designation “B6 1216” itself might not directly align with known aircraft nomenclature, for the purposes of this analysis, we will consider it a potential internal project identifier or a specific variant designation within the P.1216 program. Our illustrations aim to bring this concept to life, imagining how such an aircraft, perhaps a “b6 1216” derivative, could have served within the US Marine Corps.
USMC P.1216 in Early Harrier II Camouflage
Our first illustration presents a USMC P.1216 rendered in the early Harrier II camouflage scheme. This scheme, characterized by light gray undersides and dark green/dark gray topsides, was a familiar sight in the early years of the AV-8B’s service. To suit the expeditionary nature of USMC operations, this hypothetical Americanized P.1216 combines features from both RAF and RN variants. It incorporates the sensor nose of the RAF variant alongside the enlarged wing booms seen on the Royal Navy naval variant. A subtle yet significant change is the integration of electronic warfare antennas on the tailfins, reflecting a shift to US-sourced electronics rather than British systems.
This particular example is depicted in the colors of VMAT-203, the USMC squadron responsible for Harrier VSTOL training. It’s plausible that VMAT-203 would have retained this training role had the P.1216 been adopted. The weapons loadout is intentionally light, featuring Sidewinder training rounds on the wingtip missile rails, indicative of a training configuration. Historically, VMAT-203 received their first Harrier IIs in 1983.
P.1216 in a Two-Tone Gray Wrap-Around Scheme
As Desert Storm approached, some Marine Harrier II units began experimenting with lighter camouflage schemes. Our second illustration showcases a P.1216 in a two-tone gray wrap-around scheme, a camouflage pattern trialed at the squadron level by certain Marine units. This example is marked as belonging to VMA-542 “Flying Tigers,” identifiable by the yellow stripes on the tailfin. In reality, VMA-542 transitioned from the AV-8A to the AV-8B Harrier II starting in 1987.
The weapons loadout on this P.1216 is more combat-oriented, including wingtip Sidewinder AAMs and Mk. 20 Rockeye Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs) mounted under the wings, wing booms, and fuselage, representing a typical ground-attack configuration.
P.1216 in Lighter Grays during Desert Storm
Continuing the evolution of camouflage, some Marine units explored even lighter shades of gray within the two-tone wrap-around scheme, albeit subtly lighter than previous iterations. Our final illustration depicts a P.1216 in this lighter variant, painted in the colors of VMA-331 “Bumblebees” as they appeared during Desert Storm in 1991. Notably, this aircraft features the distinctive shark mouth nose art, a characteristic seen on the Bumblebees’ Harrier IIs during the Gulf War. Historically, VMA-331 was the first USMC Harrier II squadron, converting from A-4M Skyhawks to AV-8B Harrier IIs in 1983.
The weapons loadout for this Desert Storm P.1216 is comprehensive, including Sidewinder AAMs on the wingtip stations, Mk. 20 Rockeye CBUs on the fuselage and wing boom stations, and 500 lb Mk. 82 Snakeye air-retarded bombs on the wing pylons. During Desert Storm, Marine Harriers were primarily employed in ground attack roles, deploying CBUs, napalm, and conventional “dumb” bombs.
Regrettably, VMA-331, despite its distinguished history, was eventually disbanded due to post-Cold War military cutbacks. However, through these illustrations, we can imagine a different trajectory, one where the P.1216, perhaps in a “b6 1216” configuration, played a pivotal role in USMC aviation history, potentially even alongside or in place of the Harrier II, leaving a lasting legacy.
