Two new arrivals have appeared at Manston.
First off is Wessex XV725..
And secondly Harrier GR3 XW768..
Both these airframes are to be used for non-destructive crew training although its highly likely that the Wessex will have plenty of smoke cartridges set of inside her. If the Canberra on site is anything to go by then the Wessex interior will be destroyed in a very unpleasant manor!
Also of note is the fact that they are expecting delivery of two Tornadoes anytime soon for possible crew extraction procedure trainers!
By: SADSACK - 3rd October 2008 at 15:52
re
Pictures anyone? 🙂
By: F4MPHIXER - 2nd October 2008 at 16:38
It was US in the first place 🙂
The colours are correct. Besides there is the other Phantom at Duxford, in 56 squadron colours.
Think you will find the other Phantom at Duxford is XV474 ‘T’ EX 74 SQUADRON !!!!!
By: SADSACK - 1st October 2008 at 15:00
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Considering how few phantoms are in museums, to see one indoors permanantly far outweighs what colours it is in.
By: Phantom Phixer - 1st October 2008 at 14:56
It was US in the first place 🙂
The colours are correct. Besides there is the other Phantom at Duxford, in 56 squadron colours.
And it is only a lick of paint which could at somepoint be removed. :p
By: SADSACK - 1st October 2008 at 14:53
Not really. Duxford had a unique RAF exhibit. They repainted it to go in the American Air Museum. I always thought:
(a) leaving it in RAF colours would illustrate the bond between the countries, or
(b) the ex-US F-4S at East Fortune, on loan from FAA Museum, would be a more appropriate airframe.
It was US in the first place 🙂
The colours are correct. Besides there is the other Phantom at Duxford, in 56 squadron colours.
By: Last Lightning - 29th September 2008 at 14:08
I was “rescued” ouy of 360 when i was stationed at Manston. Its quite an experience being strapped in then removed by baby firemen. That was back in 1991 when she was whole with canopys instruments and even the batteries still worked to raise and lower the canopies.
What happened to the other J model they had?
By: DaveF68 - 29th September 2008 at 11:09
I guess that was a tongue in cheek statement?
Not really. Duxford had a unique RAF exhibit. They repainted it to go in the American Air Museum. I always thought:
(a) leaving it in RAF colours would illustrate the bond between the countries, or
(b) the ex-US F-4S at East Fortune, on loan from FAA Museum, would be a more appropriate airframe.
By: David Burke - 24th September 2008 at 20:42
The Harrier in it’s II form is still in use so the GR.3 is broadly representative of the type. The Phantom is used for casualty evacuation training -twin cockpits is quite common in the military world so it serves a usefull purpose.
It might appear to be in good condition but corrosion has got a good hold of her.
By: SADSACK - 24th September 2008 at 17:48
Probably a silly question but would any museum be interested in the early Harrier and the Phantom? Seams a waste to do training on an airframe that is no longer in service. The tornados would be better I think.
I would guess most museums would have a phantom – if only they were allowed. the harrier would be an ideal exhibit for a new museum.
By: F4MPHIXER - 24th September 2008 at 16:45
Plazz;1302004]The status of the Phantoms remains unchanged…
Thanks for posting them.
By: Peter - 24th September 2008 at 16:27
Probably a silly question but would any museum be interested in the early Harrier and the Phantom? Seams a waste to do training on an airframe that is no longer in service. The tornados would be better I think.
By: Jon H - 24th September 2008 at 16:23
In a rather sad observation I recognise the scenery in the background from photographs as the exact spot where Britannia G-ANCF was dismantled 20 odd years ago 🙂
Jon
By: SADSACK - 24th September 2008 at 16:02
re
I guess that was a tongue in cheek statement?
By: DaveF68 - 24th September 2008 at 10:16
Can no one save this bloody F4J(UK)?? One of only two whole examples left 🙁
One really, after Duxford ruined theirs in their bow to all things American
By: Plazz - 24th September 2008 at 08:15
Have these been moved to the fire dump already, or are they waiting to be moved, can’t quite work out the location from the pics. Any idea how they got there? i would love to get in their to have a look around again.
Both aircraft are sat right on the edge of the fire pan which can be seen behind the Harrier in the third photo. I’m not sure how they got there but they certainly weren’t on site when I last visited back in July. I was told that the Wessex has come from Fleetlands? I’m unsure about the Harrier, same location perhaps?
By: Phantom Phil - 24th September 2008 at 07:32
Can no one save this bloody F4J(UK)?? One of only two whole examples left 🙁
By: Plazz - 23rd September 2008 at 22:29
How are both Phantoms looking? Any recent photo’s?
The status of the Phantoms remains unchanged…
FGR2…
F4J (UK)…
By: WP840 - 23rd September 2008 at 21:25
WOW x2!
In 1992 my first Air Cadet summer camp was at RAF Manston and I am currently half way through a 1:48 Harrier GR3 model of XW768.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd September 2008 at 21:12
Have these been moved to the fire dump already, or are they waiting to be moved, can’t quite work out the location from the pics. Any idea how they got there? i would love to get in their to have a look around again.
By: F4MPHIXER - 23rd September 2008 at 20:55
How are both Phantoms looking? Any recent photo’s?
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September 23, 2008 at 8:17 pm