Ex RAF Phantom XV408

As said in another thread Bruntingthorpe would make an excellent location if XV408 is ‘homeless’, I assum if the aircraft came from Halton it is still owned by the MOD and will thus be disposed of to the highest bidder in the usual fashion. As this will probalbly be the last oppertunity to obtain an RAF Phantom every effort should be made to secure it for a long and healthy future.

DOUGHNUT

I wish you luck. I for one hope that this can be done, there are too few of this type left now. The time has come to apply some sense to the Salt Treaty as there is no way that these aircraft can be put back into service now, and given that the borders between us and Russia are now down the inspection of these is not simply the realm of satelites anymore, they can be inspected easily on the ground.

The RN RAF Phantoms are specific to the UK, and should be preserved where possible, I appreciate that some of the equipment maybe common, but out of what is left, what of this equipment is actually useable on any other Phantoms that are left in Service anyway.

The tomb is a fantastic aircraft, and is so indicative of the second half of the 20th century, from a Cold War perspective and the free worlds fight against communism and so is as worthy of display as aircraft from earlier parts of the century.

And it just looks so powerful!!

Neil,
As an ex-Phantom Groundcrew person I wish you lots of luck and hope you can save her. I almost certainly have worked on her in the late 70’s.

Hi

Hope you can save it their’s gonna be a few less around in a few years so it would be nice if this one was kept.

Yes you could well be right about the SALT treaty – i will have to investigate!!

My view is Phantoms in preservation are slowly declining – ok XV408 is not the best kept example but with abit of TLC it could look quite good & i would apply a coat of weatherproofing paint (cannot remember the technical name!!!) to help preserve it.

Maybe if i can have a word with the Army as i have suggested, as its technically to be on MOD grounds, i am wondering if it can classed as a gate guard, i know an ideal place to put it ( near the rear guardroom overlooking the airfield……. may help to save it from the cutters torch!

The biggest headache is removing it from Fairford to Abingdon as the costs of moving it by road is big!
Then theres the Police bill as would need them involved.

A C17 from nearby Brize — Hmmmmm??

Its a nice thought isn’t it but i will have to look at it carefully – i have been reminded a good friend of mine has spoken to the Scrapman with the rights to cut it up, last week on my behalf but he has not returned the call – yet!

Aren’t there problems about private collections owning ex RAF Phantoms because of SALT treaty or something of that nature?

If it’s indeed true, then i surely welcome your rescue! XV408 is one of the familiar Wildenrath-ones, and one of the two which were painted in a very nice shade of blue. The other one, XT899, is now slowly fading at the Kbely museum near Prague. It would be great if you could save this former 92sqn bird from a gruesome fate…

From what I could see of it, its a basket case having been outside at Halton for so long. However you might try contacting RIAT. Failing that PM me as I may have a better contact for you.

Can’t offer any info on wether or not Fairford want it removed asap, but I wish you every success in any effort to obtain this particular airframe, maybe the idea of it being a memorial to F/L Jack Thomson and F/L Chris Lackman might grease a few wheels and save it from being scrapped, heres hoping!:)

-Dazza