MAM Pics as requested.

A PR7 electrical manual will do nicely at some stage, and yes the public can help, ive already had ex Cranberry pilots visit 773, and……. they both flew 773 in 58 Sqn. Ah that reminds me, Les if you read this, Ive got the name & email of the pilot who flew 773 from Germany to Wyton on its transfer back. Also Im hoping to fill up a nice visitors book of ex 773 crews (or any Cranberry drivers) Bex

Bear with me Curly the thread will happen I promise. A few things have put her back in the priorities at the museum. Namely the Javelin. Saying that get her through the winter and she is in good condition so thats not a problem and then next year watch this space.

Im very much a believer of chat to the public. Explain take the time with them and they will appreciate it. Maybe come back again, maybe tell their friends or maybe just maybe beccome restorers in the future. Ive had days in the summer on the Phantom where I may have got an hours work done. The remainder was spent chatting to the public. A valuable experience though for the above reasons. Also what you can learn from them. One chap I spoke to was a guy who made Phantoms about the time ours rolled of the line. May well have assembled ours. That was educational for me. So it works both ways.

At least youve got manuals Bex. Im lacking in that dept slightly.

I know what you mean about reading Mart, since I started WH773, Ive studied the museums guide, Ive digested Les’s website, Ive got a tech manual (AP) & 2 books from the library, Ok as a kid I thought I knew me Cranberry’s, but er no I didnt but Im getting there oh and Im destroying Malcs brain with numerous questions!!!!! All this because 1. Im on a vertical learning curve about restoring & fixing broken aircraft & 2. I dont want to look a complete plank when someone questions me about the aircraft they see me working on!!! Bex

Yes it is an addictive subject matter but as you say one you dont have to identify to joe public as (most) aviation people know what a phantom is.

It is true what you say though as some museum people have little clue what is what and just memorise pamphlets or tow the museum line, i had an argument once with an american tour guide at the old museum of flying in california who tried to tell me that a hurricane was a spitfire, even though i explained a few times to him the differance i dont think he cared.

But i will be interested when you get started on the phantom, i was wondering where the promised thread was ?

curlyboy

Question away Curly. Until I was offered this fantastic lady to look after I was more of the opinion that real Phantoms were RAF ones. So this is a learning curve in more ways than one. Yes you have to learn about how to look after your aircraft but you also need to learn about its history so that when the public chat to you your informed and can answer there questions.

NOw the funny thing here that Ive noticed is that depending what aircraft you work on will vary how many people chat to you whilst your on or around it. Helpin Rob with the Javelin Ive had one person chat to me about it. That question was, What is it?

Everybody knows the Phantom and people want to chat to you about it. Also the big star on the intake plate is an attention grabber. So they will ask about that and conversation goes on from there. Now dont get me wrong this isnt a prob and it is Phantastic (sorry couldnt resist the pun) to chat to the public but I want to know what i talkin about so they can go away happy and maybe educated a little. Since Ive been on Phannie you wont believe how many Phantom books Ive bought and am reading thru to gain this info.

Thanks for that phantom phixer i would never question your knowledge of the rhino so i thought i would correct it for the less educated (in rhino history) of us.

It must be a milestone for the museum as i dont think anywhere in the UK or europe has a MIG killer in their collections ?

curlyboy

Heres her service history

F-4C, s/n 63-7699

Manufactured by McDonnell Aircraft, St. Louis MO and gained by the USAF on 3 Mar 1965.
Mar 1965 To 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (Tactical Air Command), Holloman AFB NM
Aug 1966 To 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Pacific Air Forces), Da Nang AB Vietnam
Oct 1966 To 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF), Da Nang AB
Oct 1967 To 39th Air Division (PACAF), Misawa AB Japan
Mar 1968 To 475th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF), Misawa AB (deployments to Kunsan AB Korea and Taegu AB Korea)
Dec 1969 To 479th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), George AFB CA
Oct 1971 To 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), George AFB
May 1972 To 183rd Tactical Fighter Group (Air National Guard), Capital AP, Springfield IL
Feb 1984 To 142nd Fighter-Interceptor Group (ANG), Portland IAP OR
Dec 1986 Dropped from inventory

And the details of the kill. Callsign Elgin 01

14/05/67 MiG-17 F-4C 63-7699 CG/480TFS/366TFW Bakke S.O.,Maj Lambert R.W.,Capt, Elgin 01 AIM-7

Deliberate Spoof Curly. Just to make sure everyone was paying attention. Honest.

Great pics there.

But the C model phantom was derived from the navy B not the D which came later (obviously) still a wonderful aircraft and looks better and better every time i see her, when and how was the mig kill scored phanton phixer ?

curlyboy

Thanks for posting the pics Kev, always good to see us on the forum showing what the teams up to. Love the F-100 pictures. Not a favoutite aircraft of mine but the colours of the bare metal around the tail is something special. Well caught.

A bit about the Phantom as you queried the colours. This is the aircraft I look after. Although temporarily in the middle of helping Rob on the Javelin. Once thats complete I will return to work on the Phantom. THis time with Rob in tow. Im sure he will have somethin to say about that comment.

Ive started to do some good work on her unfortunately most of it is stuff the public wont see. Underneath the ole girl is a myriad of access panels. These have all been opened and cleaned inside. On some panels the original manufacturers stamps can now clearly being seen. Ive also started cleaning the nose gear and nose wheel bay. Inside here was black but with some magic cleaning stuff (dont ask me what its called my old man sourced it) the area is gleaming white once more. The original Maccie D’s white paint being once more visible.

THe Phantom did actually serve in Vietnam. The C model which she is was the first of the US Air Force variants to enter Air Force service. Pretty much a Naval D with fatter tyres. The colours she wears are those that she was wearing when she shot down a Mig in Nam. THe other pic you posted of her a few years back in the grey scheme was the colours she wore whilst an Air National Guard aircraft. This scheme is still under the SE Asia Camou she wears today.

You may be able to see from the pics Kev posted that on the side of the forward nose and halfway down the fuselage flanks you can see the formation strips. Although not fitted whilst in Vietnam she was later modified to carry them. They have had the paint stripped of them and now look as good as new. There are 8 in total on the aircraft. All have been striped back apart from those on the fin. Its a long way up to that area and they will get done a little later.

The aircraft will be repainted next year after some TLC is applied and some minor niggles are taken care of. Once more she will be put into the Mig Killing Colours and the full badges will be put on the aircraft this time. The formaton strips although not fitted in Nam will be left exposed to show how the aircraft was modified through her life.

Once work resumes on Ohannie (well what other name could I call her) I will keep you guys upto date with whats happening via text and pics.

You guys are doing fantastic work considering the airframes are on outdoor display I will definately mark you on the map for places to visit next trip home well done!

Amazing photos Kev, keep up the good work!!! Bex

Spanking good shots Kev35!!!

John.

Just two more.

The Phantom resplendent in its SEA markings…..

And in its original scheme of how many years ago?

Regards,

kev35

Very, very nice Kev!