Phantom to Bruntingthorpe???

Just for fans of XT597, the museum has a limited number of prints of her taking off for her last flight painted by famed artist Philip West (signed by him too!). The museum is a charity and we would like donations. I may be able to get one or two Phantom aircrew to sign too.
We also have large (full size) prints of XS235 Comet Canopus, as well as the Rotary Wing Test Squadron print. Prints of the green/black/yellow Buccaneer also dropping stuff (might be able to get a famed A&AEE test pilot/banana driver to sign those if I buy him a beer!!)

Bright Future

I should say that in my post #40, I’m not being anti Everetts, I have benefitted from a good deal from them in the past and they were very easy to deal with.
I am however constantly befuddled with the MoD release system and how these two Phantoms seemed to have slipped through what should have been an open process.

Re moving said beastie, I do know that a Phantom wing ground jig (amongst other things) was disposed of at Saints, might even be in Suffolk now.

Anyway, let’s hope an arrangement will be met where the aircraft will be preserved, even running at Brunty or Bentwaters – could even a loan system be considered whereby it remains in the current ownership but others care for and run it?
I would certainly be happy to donate towards keeping a British Phantom active.

I can but only whole heartily agree with the above statement! I would love to have the disposals process looked at and altered so that smaller groups had a fighting chance in obtaining surplus equipment. Unfortunately the MoD feels more secure in selling on old equipment (and not ending up in the wrong hands) through commercial enterprises such as Everett’s and Jet Art etc.

Having contacted James Everett regarding his ‘potential’ Phantom purchases, I think it is safe to say both aircraft HAVE a future and will not end up like many Phantoms did post 92′

I haven’t had any dealings with Everett’s myself to give a 100% accurate brief about the guy but my first impressions were that of a switched on businessman. He has also given me some pictures which I’ve been allowed to post here to show. His aircraft don’t seem to get stripped down as mentioned earlier but more the other way around…. I’ll let the pictures below do the talking!!

BAe Harrier T.8 ZD992 – Before

BAe Harrier T.8 ZD992 – Post Restoration

BAe Harrier GR.7 ZG509 – Before (overstressed and stripped of spares by RAF)

BAe Harrier GR.7 ZG509 – Post Restoration

….and also how many ‘already stripped’ Jaguars arrived at Bentwarters:

According to Demobbed it was last seen at Leeming June 2012.

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/locations.php?location=1759

RMR

Thanks RMR, must have just moved it. Hope it finds a good home.

I would think Seaking93 is refering to the other (complete) Sea Harrier, XZ499?

Correct, XZ499 was the one I was referring to

I would think Seaking93 is refering to the other (complete) Sea Harrier, XZ499?

If its the Sea Harrier I think the cockpit does ! The rest is firmly GR.3 !

I think the comment about the Admiral’s Barge refers to the Sea Harrier

OK, same answer applies, FAAM,s Sea Harrier also has a combat kill

re;

I did mean the Sea Harrier

FAAM already have one Phantom thanks [/url]

I think the comment about the Admiral’s Barge refers to the Sea Harrier

Anyone know what happened with the Phantom at Leeming please? I used to see it in a maintenance compound on the airfield next to the road but it’s been gone a while now. Lots of hits on a web search but no up to date info I can find.

Cheers

According to Demobbed it was last seen at Leeming June 2012.

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/locations.php?location=1759

RMR

Make that open ‘half’ day. And thats a shame for those of us travelling a 360 mile round trip. Think i’ll wait for the next full day!

Rob

Seems ridiculous the FAAM didnt get the Admirals barge. Or with so few hours on the air frame it would have had potential as a trials a/c?

FAAM already have one Phantom thanks and the reserve store is filling up fast as can be seen on the next open day, 15th August, check the FAAM website for details www.fleetairarm.com

re;

Seems ridiculous the FAAM didnt get the Admirals barge. Or with so few hours on the air frame it would have had potential as a trials a/c?

Re GSE for a Phantom move, don’t forget JARTS moved a Phantom from Leuchars to VL recently, they seemed to have all the correct frames when they put it together outside my window that day.

Aren’t all the Phantoms that the RAF had brought under a deal that no complete aircraft could be sold on post retirement from service? I do know that Mick had major problems getting his cockpit and others that got frames were lucky that the people dealing with disposals were not aware there. I do believe they are now..

Would love to see one live once more in the UK and brunty seems the logical home. It’s a shame that what ever deal might have been in the pipeline has fallen through.

Anyone know what happened with the Phantom at Leeming please? I used to see it in a maintenance compound on the airfield next to the road but it’s been gone a while now. Lots of hits on a web search but no up to date info I can find.

Cheers

The one I saw was removed complete off unit by the winning contractor, it might have been chopped since though.

I believe the jig was destroyed at St Athan circa three years ago! It would have been handy but I guess JARTS at the time didn’t think any more Phantoms would be moving by road! They were moved whole canted at an angle in the past from Scampton but I guess that kit is also long gone!
To dismantle a Phantom that hasn’t been apart for road move before will be time consuming -unfortunately the days of moving them like the Midland Air Museum example by removing the outboards and trailering it flat are probably over now sadly !

I should say that in my post #40, I’m not being anti Everetts, I have benefitted from a good deal from them in the past and they were very easy to deal with.
I am however constantly befuddled with the MoD release system and how these two Phantoms seemed to have slipped through what should have been an open process.

Re moving said beastie, I do know that a Phantom wing ground jig (amongst other things) was disposed of at Saints, might even be in Suffolk now.

Anyway, let’s hope an arrangement will be met where the aircraft will be preserved, even running at Brunty or Bentwaters – could even a loan system be considered whereby it remains in the current ownership but others care for and run it?
I would certainly be happy to donate towards keeping a British Phantom active.