Former weapons loading trainer Phantom from RAF Leeming has moved to her new home at Air & Ground, Hixon Airfield, Stafford. Apparently she will be restored and act as a gate guard!
Long retired RAF Phantom FGR.2 XV499 by Jerry Gunner, on Flickr
By: GOKONE - 28th October 2013 at 14:10
At least the A&G engineers (?) seemed to have removed the leading and trailing edge flaps before breaking out the Stihl saw on ‘499. That should make it a bit neater when (if) it ever goes back together.
Can anybody postulate/suggest a likely value of XV499’s airframe as it stands? Apart from it being cut I understand the cockpit is completely stripped out and that will not be easy or cheap to re-equip.
Anon.
The worry is that certain parts of the eBay market might see another ‘niche’ opportunity to tart and talk it up with lots of exhortating exclamations accompanied by the unwanted beer garden/footballer/city whizkid price tag chancing that many preservationists have all grown fed up with over the years.
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th October 2013 at 15:22
At least the A&G engineers (?) seemed to have removed the leading and trailing edge flaps before breaking out the Stihl saw on ‘499. That should make it a bit neater when (if) it ever goes back together.
Can anybody postulate/suggest a likely value of XV499’s airframe as it stands? Apart from it being cut I understand the cockpit is completely stripped out and that will not be easy or cheap to re-equip.
Anon.
By: David Burke - 25th October 2013 at 12:43
I don’t think there is a threat of scrapping – I think the plan is to put the funds in place to carry out the correct dismantling of the aircraft rather than resorting to using a Stihl saw and to be able to move it in an expedient way.
By: Dean W - 25th October 2013 at 12:32
Is there a danger of it being scrapped then? Just thought it strange that they’re asking for donations but not really providing any information on why the move is so urgent.
By: David Burke - 25th October 2013 at 11:22
The base is being taken over by the Army in the short term.
By: Dean W - 25th October 2013 at 10:00
On a similar vein but different aircraft, XR713 http://www.lightnings.org.uk/Save_XR713.aspx
Is there any more news on XR713 around? Why is the purchase so urgent?
By: Last Lightning - 24th October 2013 at 23:46
On a similar vein but different aircraft, XR713 http://www.lightnings.org.uk/Save_XR713.aspx
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th October 2013 at 23:11
XV499 is due to be auctioned by Air & Ground on November 20th. Bearing in mind its condition, I’m wondering what the level of interest is out there to buy it, move it and put it back together.
Coincidentally, she features prominently in the footage in Daniel’s current thread RAF in 1974 film around 6.00 minutes in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VflzHApZ28
Looks nice in ground-attack colours. Perhaps she might look that smart again some day – if the right person buys her;)
Anon.
By: David Burke - 16th February 2013 at 17:10
I doubt they have thought about that!
By: bravo24 - 16th February 2013 at 16:10
Nomad F4
This is interesting news. Where will it move to when A&G have the contract for disposals taken off them/expires/not renewed?
By: Rocketeer - 16th February 2013 at 16:01
Its still at Boscombe!
By: David Burke - 16th February 2013 at 15:46
There is no real reason why the RAFM should wish to duplicate aircraft of the exact same type. The sensible solution would have been for the Boscombe Phantom to have moved to Cosford to join the trials collection.
The RAFM does have other Phantoms under its ownership at Carlisle and Tangmere .
By: SADSACK - 16th February 2013 at 15:40
re;
Hendon has one, why not Cosford?
By: David Burke - 16th February 2013 at 15:40
Not sure on this one! I am sure that YAM will be justifiably upset at years of effort only to see it move to commercial premises.
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th February 2013 at 14:54
Great news, why they wont put (a complete) one in the Cold War at Cosford baffles me though???
Curlyboy
By: benyboy - 16th February 2013 at 14:16
It should be at Elvington but glad its going to be looked after.
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February 16, 2013 at 1:55 pm