Save the Spey/Phantoms

XV499 at Leeming, she’s been there a while now, was supposed to be going to YAM, Hows her engines/mounts (or lack of)?

I am not sure as regards the engine mounts -certainly it happened at Wattisham but I am not sure about the aircraft that escaped by air from Wattisham to Leeming and other bases.

I once had a visit from a group from Waddington to see ‘558 in the hangar during her Major and the W/O in charge stated he was incharge of a team that went round to most of the stored airframes away from Wattisham and his orders where to remove their engines and mounts, although I do know of a few he missed:dev2:

I would rather see ‘Black Mike’ transfered to East Fortune for display in Scotland. It would be an easy move and it far outweighs the significance of the US Navy example.

Strictly speaking apart from a couple of exceptions none of the K & M modetls (FG1 & FGR2s) can be called “Spey Engined” because they all have had their engines removed and mountings cut out……

XT597 was probably our last chance of having an active (fast taxiing) K or M model unless Duxford do something with XV474 or we can get XT899 repatriated from Aviation Museum, Kbely, Czech Republic

More spey than j79 🙂

Amen to that idea Salad Fingers!

Saving Black Mike

OK it’s a long shot but …. If Black Mike could be saved it would look stunning in the LPGs Q shed next to a Lightning – I know the LPG can’t possibly commit time money etc to an F4 project but they have set the benchmark for what can be achieved. Black mike was flown by some very senior RAF pilots and I’m sure there could be a way of preserving her – as a ground runner would be excellent if she still has her engines. I took lots of pictures of her last march and I have to say parked outside next to the Sea it will take a fair bit of work to get her running again

I am not sure as regards the engine mounts -certainly it happened at Wattisham but I am not sure about the aircraft that escaped by air from Wattisham to Leeming and other bases.

XT889 at Kbely 2011. Paint is wearing off gradually. Pretty hard winters will be taking their toll.
Black mike on the Flighline 2010

Theres also Black Mike at Leuchars which is still mostly complete with both engines fitted.She gets dragged out for aishows and with Leuchars closing soon she has an uncertain future.

Whats the current condition / situation with FG.1 XT864?

Rob

Strictly speaking apart from a couple of exceptions none of the K & M models (FG1 & FGR2s) can be called “Spey Engined” because they all have had their engines removed and mountings cut out……

XT597 was probably our last chance of having an active (fast taxiing) K or M model unless Duxford do something with XV474 or we can get XT899 repatriated from Aviation Museum, Kbely, Czech Republic

So it looks as though there are 3 preserved indoors in National collections (Hendon, Duxford and Yeovilton) plus another dozen or so complete airframes displayed outside (gate guards, etc).

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=833 seems to list quite a few more than that.

So it looks as though there are 3 preserved indoors in National collections (Hendon, Duxford and Yeovilton) plus another dozen or so complete airframes displayed outside (gate guards, etc).

Thanks.

Is there a list of survivors?

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/phantom/survivors.php

While the F4 certainly isn’t a British type, I’ve always considered the Spey engined version to be. Is there a list of survivors?