I’ve been working in Nantwich this week and managed to get to the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker where Phantom FGR2 XV490 now resides. XV490 belongs to the Phantom Preservation Group and there is a long-term plan to restore her.
Just thought I’d share the photos with you all, enjoy.
Plazz
By: snakeman - 3rd June 2005 at 19:44
Good to see another Survivor ! I have update my Phantom History page at The Phantom Shrine !
By: Pte1643 - 3rd June 2005 at 13:09
Phantom tailplane
Not “Tailplane” or “Elevators”.
On F4’s they were known as “Stabilators”. :p
Anyhoooooo…
Just as a matter of interest…
I work with a guy who was a “Flight Systems” tech on (RAF) F4’s.
He said part of his job was to inspect/maintain some kit in the base of the Fin. Access to which had to be gained by standing (Not really allowed, but they used to do it anyway) on the “Stabilator”, the only problem was that it would move and you’d end up on the floor.
He said that one of his Sqn mates invented this “Contraption” to steady the control surface, to stop it moving and keep you from actually standing on it while you did you job.
IIRC I believe he said he was with 56 sqn (RAF) at the time.
The RAF used to state that if anyone comes up with an idea to make the (any) job easier then they shall be credited and rewarded for their insight.
He told me that his mates invention was so sucessful, that the entire RAF Phantom Sqn’s were using it in no time at all. 🙂
All his mate recieved was a paultry £20 😮
By: Papa Lima - 2nd June 2005 at 16:56
Hello, Chiefy – I was a Chief too, back in the 1970s! Yes, thank you, as I suspected the Phantom tailplane has upside down slats which answers my question.
By: philip turland - 2nd June 2005 at 15:38
it looks very sad and as i mentioned before, nothing much happened to it since it arrived (or so it appears)
They have got everything they need, seats, instruments, the lot
their plan was to put it onto a flat bed lorry/trailer and let kiddies clamber up into the cockpit.
Bit high in my opinion
I did this with XV489….but because it was on it’s belly it was just about ok
would hate to clamber up to that height myself
By: PeeBee - 2nd June 2005 at 13:18
I love F4’s and hats off to them for restoring at least a bit of one, there are prescious few of em left whole, but somehow it looks a bit sad dunt’it.
By: Chiefy - 2nd June 2005 at 12:23
Papa Lima,
Has your questioned been answered?
As an ex-Phantom Phixer I may be able to help.
By: philip turland - 2nd June 2005 at 09:56
Still in the same condition as when it left Bruntingthorpe in about 1999.
back is a bit cleaner and that is about all. Still no seats, IFR probe still out
I had this Nose section and XV489 at one time….489 went to holland…..she was completely refurbished in about 2 years if i remember correctly…
By: Papa Lima - 30th May 2005 at 19:42
Won’t someone please answer my question here?
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=43344&highlight=phantom
By: STORMBIRD262 - 30th May 2005 at 19:39
I suppose it’s body was quartered and sent to all corner’s of the U.K.
😮 ARRHHHH, YOU POMMIES ALWAY”S LOVE CUTTING THE HEAD’S OFF THING’S :p 😮 .
How very sad and dejected the poor bird look’s 🙁
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May 27, 2005 at 9:53 pm