MAM’s F-104’s make-over is now complete, just the serials to be done. It was decided to do the cockpit as well as it has been a while since last time. The cockpit is in top conditon actually. As you can see it now looks clean, tidy and very presentable for visitors on ‘pit open days.
Like, I believe, this coming Sunday’s Modellers Day. MAM’s Model shows are always well patronised with an awesome series of models on display. Was myself pleasantly surprised at the overall high standard last year. If you’re not ‘doing’ Sywell it would be worth a visit to this model show.
Anyway, four pix of the F-104 for your interest. Pix are not by me and are unfortunately lo-res this time. But they do show the excellent standard achieved by the make-over. Hi-res will be available if anybody wants them. PM me.
By: robmac - 15th November 2006 at 19:15
Ah cheers – how’s the Whirlwind coming along? Will definitely go along to see that when it’s finished. Great work you guys are doing at Cov, if only I had a bit more spare time and had transport to get there i’d be mucking in too. Maybe in a few months time, fingers crossed
We’re doing quite well on her actually.
She’s been rubbed down and is ready for painting, but, we are still undesided on the colour scheme.
The Bristows markings you see in the picture above are not the only colours she had on. We have a B&W picture of her in a different colour, albeit still working for Bristows. This is the colour we want to do her in for a change. The problem we have, is we don’t have a colour picture of it in this other scheme to identify the shade of blue.
So until we come up with one. we’re stuck 😀
By: Rlangham - 15th November 2006 at 19:02
Ah cheers – how’s the Whirlwind coming along? Will definitely go along to see that when it’s finished. Great work you guys are doing at Cov, if only I had a bit more spare time and had transport to get there i’d be mucking in too. Maybe in a few months time, fingers crossed
By: CSheppardholedi - 15th November 2006 at 02:01
I have a couple 104s that live a few miles North of me and I hear them time to time on final, very distinctive engine. of course, if I am inside, by the time I get outside they are way out of view. Talk about fast movers! They are a two element show that travels and are working on a third.
Here is their link.
http://www.starfighters.net/
Chris
By: RPSmith - 15th November 2006 at 00:04
Rob, It’ll be the Series 3 Whirlwind – only a nose/cockpit section remains of the HAS7.
Last couple of times it has been repainted I think Bristows donated the paint.
Roger Smith.
By: LesB - 15th November 2006 at 00:01
The HAS.7 or the Whirlwind Series 3?
This one.
.
By: Rlangham - 14th November 2006 at 23:05
So, what’s next for the A Team? The Whirlwind. Bit of a challange that will be.
The HAS.7 or the Whirlwind Series 3? Looked in good condition last time I was there, although haven’t seen inside since I was so small the inside looked as big as my house!
By: Peter - 27th September 2006 at 00:51
any chance of the 104 being made live again like the hunter?
By: Arabella-Cox - 26th September 2006 at 21:39
Looks great on the inside as well as the out.
curlyboy
By: LesB - 26th September 2006 at 21:16
Final
That’s it. F-104 now in presentable state again for the next couple of years.
Should explain that the external paintwork wasn’t the only task carried out on this mini-refurb. Preparatory tasks included changing the nosewheel, some work and fettling on the the main wheels and legs (they were a mess of corrosion), re-furbishing the canopy and many other small (but important) TLC tasks behind various panels
Some pix showing the ‘frame in all its glory with full markings, serials etc. Of notice is the internal condition of the C/B box panel.
So, what’s next for the A Team? The Whirlwind. Bit of a challange that will be.
By: RPSmith - 25th September 2006 at 16:00
All the other airframes were transported by road….
Not sure if British Canuck meant all the MAM aircraft or just the two F-4s but others (besides the Vulcan, Argosy and F-104) that arrived by air:
DHC Beaver inside a US Army Chinook from Germany.
DH Dove was based at Coventry Airport before being withdrawn and thus, in effect, flew in.
Additionally the the ex-Alvis development Whirlwind HAS.7 (now just a nose) originally arrived on it’s own wheels – towed about three miles from a local village.
Roger Smith.
By: British Canuck - 25th September 2006 at 15:41
Imagine if you had a RAF F4 example also..they would make great book ends..
By: Phantom Phixer - 25th September 2006 at 15:38
The Phantoms are engineless at the moment. Although we do hold the units in store for both examples.
By: British Canuck - 25th September 2006 at 13:36
Do the F-104 and F4 still have engines in them?
By: robmac - 25th September 2006 at 12:23
Where these aircraft flown into Converty Airport @ MAM or did they arrive by road?
It’s a combination of both my friend. For example, the Vulcan and Argosy flew in under their own power, the F104 Starfighter also flew in, but in the back of a Danish Transport ship.
All the other airframes were transported by road and I tell you now, it is pretty hair raising at times when we do. Seeing a Phantom at the museum is great, but you wanna see it on the back of a low loader with just the wing tips folded and about eight inches either side of the road to get it down! I have fond memories for example, when we got the Sea Harrier from Yeovil the wing being all one piece was a particular subject that was interesting to follow. Out rigger wheels stick out quite far when the wing is side on to a low loader!
By: British Canuck - 25th September 2006 at 11:59
Where these aircraft flown into Converty Airport @ MAM or did they arrive by road?
By: Phantom Phixer - 24th September 2006 at 20:42
Ok curly boy last word on the Phantom for now been as you asked so politely. ha ha ha
Technically if we are repainting the Phantom to represent the scheme worn when she shot down the Mig the star obviously shouldnt be there.
But it was applied at a later date and it is a talking point for the public plus I think it looks pretty good. so the plan is to represent it yes. As for the date marked within the star I havnt as yet given it to much thought. there is lots of other jobs to think about before we get to that stage. Ive seen pics of Mig kill Phantoms that have the date within the star and also stars without the date. But yes it might be nice to have the date in the star. Interestingly the previous care taker (for want of a better name) painted over the star that was on the aircraft when we received it. Even now when the light catches the area you can still see the imprint from the date the yanks applied. And believe it or not they put the wrong date within the star.
Anyway if you want any more info or have any questions drop me a personnal message at any time and I will reply to the best of my knowledge.
But yes I will start a thread as soon as I can and I will include lots of pics for you to look at. I will also mention your kind comments to RobMac who did the thread and the work on the Sea Vixen. Its kind comments from you guys and the public that make the hardwork even more worthwhile.
Finally yes we should go back to chattin about the F104. Over the last few days the guys working on it have applied many stencil markings and if you think she looks good in LesB’s pics you should see her now.
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th September 2006 at 20:17
Yes Phantom Phixer i for one would love a thread (and lots of pics!!) on what you are doing with the old girl, i have found the MAM restoration threads to be very interesting reading especially the Sea Vixen which now looks amazing.
Also 1 little question for you (apologies for being slightly off topic) but the Mig kill star on the phantoms of her period used to carry in small writing when the kill was made and the type of mig killed would you be doing that to her as well in the future ?
curlyboy
By: Phantom Phixer - 24th September 2006 at 19:32
Hello all,
Yes the two F4C’s are both still with us. The elder of the two ladies 37414 (the seventh F4C to be built) is in storage although it is very visible to the visiting public. Unfortunately when the aircraft was dimantled by the USAF at Woodbridge the USAF dismanteling crew simply cut the wings straight of leaving us no way to put them back on.
The complete example 37699 which as you state is a genuine Mig Killer is still with the Museum on loan from the USAF. Its funny the Phantom should be mentioned here as in the last few weeks Ive just been tasked with restoring her and have started to begin doing some work on the grand old lady.Yes thats why im known as Phantom Phixer
Its been about 5-6 years since she was last painted and now its her turn to be given the magic touch. When we last painted the aircraft we put her back into the Nam colours she wore when the Mig kill was recorded. Externally the aircrafts present livery is fading a little and also in places peeling but it is the paint scheme we applied that is peeling. The USAF Air national Guard scheme she was delivered in is still underneath and very intact.
It has to be said the aircraft is in remarkably sound condition and that our American friends certainly knew how to build a plane to last.
Due to the time of the year Im only presently doing some smaller jobs making the airframe ready for a repaint next year. Important jobs it has to be said but not as obvious to the public as a repaint. So far Ive been cleaning the Undercarriage bays and also removing paint from the various formation strips around the airframe.Im not going to ruin the surprise but watch this space re the strips.
Ive also had a number of the under belly access panels open and have done some general house keeping duties within them. Opening them was like a time warp as they still have the original stikers/placards and Mc Donnell inspection stamps on them.
I know that this internal work will not be seen by the general public but its there in original condition and been looked after. Once this is done then I will move onto other areas of the airframe that require slight attention.
If people are interested in the Phantom and the work Im doing on her I will gladly start a thread as other members of the Midland Air Museum have done and keep you all updated on her progress and supply pictures for you all.
Regards Phantom Phixer
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th September 2006 at 01:04
Is the F4 still at MAM?
Roy.
Yes both F4Cs are at MAM the Mig killer has had a more accurate paint scheme added (SEA camo), while the other is still by the fence i have some pics on my other computer.
Or try their great website at, then go to the ‘our aircraft’ section
curlyboy
By: roscoria - 24th September 2006 at 00:45
F104 a legend.
This is the jet I would get real close to and listen to the engine idling as the pilot was doing pre flight checks. For me it was music to my Ears, and I will never forget that experience. Unfortunately after about 15 minutes of that sound my ears went into quiet mode, recovering eventually. F104 great plane in the sky and on the ground, lovely sound to boot. Also the black smoke generated by reheat in full power mode, made this plane exciting to watch. certainly got my adrenaline going at air shows. 😀 :diablo: :diablo:
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September 22, 2006 at 10:48 pm