From True Lies to The Avengers:
How the Harrier Jet Became a Hollywood Icon
Few aircraft have captured Hollywood’s imagination quite like the Harrier jet. Known for its VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capabilities, the Harrier is able to hover, fly backwards, and operate in tight spaces where conventional jets cannot. Its distinctive maneuverability has made it a natural fit for action-packed cinema. Two blockbuster films stand out for showcasing the Harrier in unforgettable ways: James Cameron’s True Lies (1994) and Marvel’s The Avengers (2012).
The Birth of a Screen Icon: True Lies (1994)
The Harrier Jump Jet prop first exploded onto the scene in James Cameron’s True Lies, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. In the film’s unforgettable finale, Schwarzenegger pilots a Harrier through downtown Miami, rescuing his daughter and battling terrorists in a dizzying aerial showdown.
Of course, no real Harrier was weaving between skyscrapers. Instead, filmmakers used a combination of real aircraft footage, models, visual effects, and this fiberglass full-size prop mounted on a gimbal rig. Built with meticulous detail, the prop convincingly captured the Harrier’s sleek, formidable presence, allowing close-up cockpit shots and physical interaction that CGI of the era couldn’t fully replicate.
A Marvelous Cameo: The Avengers (2012)
Nearly two decades later, the fiberglass Harrier prop was dusted off for another major role: Marvel’s The Avengers. In one memorable sequence aboard the Helicarrier, the Hulk clashes violently with Thor. Their fight crashes through multiple decks before culminating in Thor slamming the Hulk directly into the Harrier prop, causing visible damage to the jet.
Though its screen time was brief, the jet’s inclusion provided a tangible, destructive element to the battle and thrilled longtime movie fans who recognized its history.
Why This Prop Endures
What makes the Harrier Jump Jet fiberglass replica so fascinating is its adaptability. From a hard-hitting action film to a cheeky soda ad to a superhero blockbuster and now a Netflix documentary, the jet has served as both a symbol of power and a source of humor.
It’s a reminder that movie magic doesn’t always come from CGI—sometimes it’s a well-built prop that can survive decades of storytelling, and even be reborn through meticulous restoration.
At Volo Museum, the Harrier’s journey continues—not just as a prop, but as a living artifact of pop culture history.
Restoration and New Home at Volo Museum
By the time the Harrier arrived at Volo Museum, it had sustained years of wear, missing sections, and heavy damage from its on-screen career. What followed was a painstaking two-year restoration project, during which missing parts were recreated, broken fiberglass was repaired, and the entire prop was carefully pieced back together.
Today, the jet has been fully restored to display condition and resides proudly at Volo Museum. Visitors can stand face to face with the legendary fiberglass aircraft that has starred in a blockbuster, a commercial controversy, a superhero brawl, and a documentary.
A Splash of Humor: The Pepsi Commercial & Netflix Documentary
After its action-packed debut, the Harrier transitioned from explosions to punchlines. Pepsi famously ran a commercial joking that customers could redeem Pepsi Points for outlandish prizes—including a Harrier Jump Jet. While the ad sparked a real-life lawsuit when one customer actually attempted to claim the offer, the fiberglass Harrier was the star of the gag.
This bizarre chapter in advertising history was later chronicled in the Netflix documentary Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?, which highlighted the infamous legal battle and cemented the Harrier prop’s place in pop culture beyond Hollywood.
