I am pleased to be able to report the following information as posted by the British F-4 Phantom Aviation Group:
“It is with great pleasure that The British F4 Phantom Aviation Group in partnership with GJD Services is proud to offically announce the ITAR Approval and purchase of McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom XV582 ‘Black Mike’.
The next step is the strip down and transport.
‘582 has been purchased on behalf of the group by Gary Spoors of GJD Services, therefore fundraising will now step up a gear in order to reimburse Mr Spoors for the purchase.
Such fundraising efforts will include supporters packages and a range of merchandise becoming available to all, as well as showing a growing presence at shows and events around the country.
Sam Thompson BF4PAG”
I will report back as more information on the proposed move and the membership packages becomes available.
Anon.
By: Old Fokker - 9th July 2016 at 08:27
Good to see the old girl has a future. I was present at the occasion of her last flight at Leuchars and saw her on the static line in subsequent visits. Got some vid of the last flight somewhere.
By: baloffski - 5th July 2016 at 20:19
Some pictures of him/her taken in the last couple of days. Taken by a friend of mine, I have no more info at the moment unfortunately.
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By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd May 2016 at 07:49
Black Mike has her (or his!) engines in. Also, one of the BM Management group has a complete, spare Phantom Spey, so engines shouldn’t be a problem in the future. However, it’s often not the large parts but availability of the smaller consumables that can hold a project up.
Anon.
By: Binbrook 01 - 23rd May 2016 at 00:32
I would be surprised if they managed to get it running again, given that there can’t be that many spare engines knocking around. But I’m not in a position to say if there are or not, happy to be corrected on that.
When I worked in publishing in the 90s there were (at the time, rumours) that the MoD disposal agency had sold (presumably) nearly all the surplus Spey engines to the Chinese for use on the J8 project. That was later pretty much confirmed from memory, and the pair that were in the last flyer, XT597 at Boscombe Down went into Thrust SSC.
But who knows, as Bruntingthorpe have performed miracles many times already. Heres hoping it might yet happen.
Tim
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd May 2016 at 22:43
The priority is to get Black Mike to Bruntingthorpe, after that it remains to be seen what can be done. The treaty might be relaxed or even changed, who knows, the main thing is that BM is relocated and preserved.
We were lamenting the fact that Phantoms were being chopped up and the number diminishing rapidly just a few short years ago and look where we are now – around a dozen in small museums and private hands, some even being sold on the open market. We had hardly dared dream about such an eventuality.
Once BM is saved, then if any further relaxation of the rules permits, we may well be treated to the sight and sound of a UK Phantom coming to life once again.
Anon.
By: Fouga23 - 21st May 2016 at 22:20
I seem to remember reading that due to US treaty laws they can’t even apply ground power 🙁
By: trumper - 21st May 2016 at 18:14
Unfortunately not, Gary. I don’t think it would even be allowed to taxi according to some – but who knows!
Rob
Such a shame,even taxying would be nice,but a good job if it can be saved though 🙂
By: Jon H - 21st May 2016 at 18:06
I can’t find the thread, but doesn’t this news date from earlier in the year (I want to say January time), and there was further discussion around the finer details at the time?
Jon
By: Wyvernfan - 21st May 2016 at 17:05
Unfortunately not, Gary. I don’t think it would even be allowed to taxi according to some – but who knows!
Rob
By: trumper - 21st May 2016 at 15:40
Is this to become a flyer?
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May 20, 2016 at 9:17 pm