Believe me, the NMUSAF are fully aware of us at Bentwaters, especially over the past year or so. The current Director of the NMUSAF is an ex-81st TFW Hog driver!
We had a lot of help from the guys at Spang in trying to acquire one of the BDRT airframes for us. They were happy to help us. Guess who stopped it all though?!!!!

Graham

I wouldn’t hurt asking the NMUSAF and getting on a list.

Now the A-10s are being refurbished, but you nevr know when one in Germany might be declared surplus due to age, damage history or something else. At one time, there were two BDR A-10s at Spangdalham.

I’d bet a nice letter (stressing the Betwanters museum being a there to honor the long time USAF presence) to the authorities would not hurt, they could fly in the example and generally make it easy on everyone.

I wonder if any ex-81st TFW commanders are still around who would be willing to support the cause with the NMUSAF.
One, Col. Tad Oelstrom, retired as a major general…
or perhaps the current 81st wing commander (the “numberplate” is used for a major technical training center) could voice support?
http://www.keesler.af.mil/units/81trainingwing/index.asp

Yes, it certainly would. Believe me we’ve tried. It will never happen though. 🙁
Regards.

Graham

The Alconbury A-10 would make a great addition to Bentwaters being entirely appropriate to the site.

No. They are still at Boscombe.

Graham

Apparently the two Boscombe down phantoms are there as well?

curlyboy

Single seat Lightning cover please!!! 🙂
Cheers.

Graham

I think there were ‘special’ circumstances surrounding the loan of XV408 at Tangmere. As for Carlisle’s example…perhaps someone in the know could answer?

Graham

If privately run museums can not have Phantoms what is the official status of those at Carlilse and Tangmere. Do they effectively belong to the RAF Museum ?

As that is a USAF Museum loan airframe I doubt the guys at Andrewsfield would be in a position to authorise the removal of parts?

Graham

Rightyho.
Andrewsfield aerodrome ( great sailing, Essex ) have a complete a/c on blocks.
I am not sure who runs the club anymore, but the plane has been there years. I am sure if you ask nicely….

Just to clarify that we do actually have the complete Lightning and not just the cockpit. As has been said already, it is ex-Saudi F.53, ZF581, formerly on display at Rochester Airport.
Regards.

Graham

Is that the Lightning Cockpit that graced RAD Coltishall and belonged to Mick Jennings

Hi Ron,
Long time, no speak 🙂

No progress to report. Doubt it will ever happen now.
Regards.

Graham

Very, VERY cool!!!! I look forward to coming across the pond someday and seeing both up close. The Jaguar has been one of my favorites ever since seeing it in an episode of “The Sandbaggers” on PBS when I was in high school, and got to see a Lightning very briefly from a bus somewhere in Kuwait. Any progress on, ahhh, “acquiring” a certain F-101A???

Cheers!

Ron Easley