RAF Phantom Survivors & Their Future…

Black Mike

http://www.itv.com/news/central/2017-10-26/retirement-at-raf-cosford-for-cold-war-phantom/

The warning notices displayed at many MOD sites are often ignored by all sorts of people. It is going to be ashock when a person is made an example of and prosecuted. A lack of man power at many sites has led to reliance on CCTV and even then the control rooms are not always occupied. At one air base I worked at there was an intention to build a perimeter fence, to secure the acres of heathland, sand dunes and forest. This proposal was rejected many times due to lack of patrol staff and even when a perimeter track was to be included no one was available to drive the route often enough as a deterrent. Members of the public would appear on the edge of the taxi track having walked from the sea shore or via the forest paths.
On topic..very happy to see the F4 preserved.

However high level representations were made for the aircraft to be preserved in Scotland . Nothing could be done and this was long after the airfield had ceased to be used. I visited it and the Argosy wreck in 2006 on an official visit and I didn’t see any activity going on that was in any way sensitive.

As for the scrapping of the West Freugh Phantom, XT852, it was probably inevitable, considering the number of people who disregarded the Official Secrets Act warning notices and breached security to photograph and pilfer parts from this historic airframe. (The area is noticeably covered with cameras and has a fence, though near a road they should have stayed out.) Then it was gone, virtually in the blink of an eyelid. C’est la vie.

‘Black Mike’ XV582 update…
Black Mike is now disassembled and ready for it’s move south to Cosford, where it will be reassembled for inclusion in the RAF’s centenary celebrations next year, after that it will be disassembled again before moving to it’s new permanent home, which is still undergoing final negotiations, where it will then undergo a full and complete restoration over time and funds permitting.
Details and updates can be found on the following facebook groups, there is also a twitter feed for those who so inclined and a new website is also being set up…

http://www.facebook.com/groups/bf4pag/

http://www.facebook.com/groups/345309428932536/

-RP

http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/601035-black-mike-xv582-update.html

Not completely pointless, as well as CFE restrictions, one of the reasons was US restrictions due to the (remote) possiblity parts going to Iran. After 25 years, none of the pasrt would be airworthy, so that’s not a problem

The problem was at the time of retirement, the MOD were very tetchy about F4’s, and museums getting them was not a priority, or even a possibilty, given now you can buy one from Everetts, it was pointless, but it did hinder good ones going to safe homes, some noteable ones like XT852, the F4M prototype, the first painted in RAF colours, some museums tried to save it, but were just batted away and it was scrapped. I do have two gauges from it but that is poor.

Assuming 111 Sqn would have parted with it….

Meanwhile there are close up photos of ZE360 at Manston showing the extent of the corrosion. but they are on Facebook on the UK aircraft wrecks and Relics page.

Suffice to say its not looking good these day… 🙁

Tim

Tripartite swap at the time the RAF ones were retired would have been appropriate (F-4S to Duxford, Black Mike to East Fortune and the F4J(UK) to Cosford or another, preserved as an RAF airframe

That is correct. The latest news is that the engineering team arrived at RAF Leuchars on Saturday. Vehicles are onsite now and loading should begin today, all being well. We will be running regular updates on progress via Twitter and Facebook. Please feel free to drop by-

http://twitter.com/BPAGofficial

http://www.facebook.com/BPAGofficial/

Well raised points.

Just the paint miss-match of the two Phantoms irritates the inner pedant in me.

Except that its not really representative of an RAF Phantom FG.1/FGR.2 that was based in Scotland. As we know the F-4J (UK) was only ever operated by 74 Sqn at Wattisham. And the last jet at Leuchars is about to leave this week

Tim

Yet the IWM has ex RAF F-4J ZE359 painted in US Navy colours.

A swap with East Fortune would not be out impossible. Just pricey.

I think it is simply a question of cost that East Fortune do not have an RAF Phantom and the lack space to put it indoors. The American Phantom and the Buccaneer are both outside

Its been mentioned a number of times that an RAF Phantom would be an appropriate addition at East Fortune.
For whatever reason they have kept a US Navy F-4S

Some chatter on other fora & social media that ‘Black Mike’ is due to head south to Cosford in the next few days!

Kind of sad there are now no FG1s remaining in RAF Squadron colours other than the all black one, which is hardly representative (and no RAF Phantoms in Scotland)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]256520[/ATTACH]
Ulster Aviation Society members have now managed to get the nose leg extended on ex Leuchars gate guard XT864, the aircraft is also undergoing a repaint into 892 colours, and is expectred to be completed early next year.

Mike,

As I pointed out above the photos on the UAS facebook page are fairly close up. And they show sizable holes in its spine. I fear the only end recipient is going to be Mr Scrapman, although the cockpit might escape?

Maybe time to find out which RAF Base parents it Manston) before another goes to the wall??

Edit….. (or find out from UAS) who to contact before its too late

Tim

Two tanks