Both MiGs have featured with re-enactors but I know that Brian has many good references from those Photo Shoots!
Originally posted back in October 2009
A Night Time Story from Newark
Our story begins at an airfield in southern England in the 1950’s. A leading socialite is waiting for the crew of her Dove to load her luggage for a flight to the continent, possibly Switzerland by the warm clothing she is wearing.
Parked next to the Dove is a Meteor T7, night stopping at the airfield………
….and caught in the headlights of a parked car that delivered the Dove’s passenger.Meanwhile, over in Europe and 30 years later, the Cold War is at its height and a visiting Vulcan at an RAF Germany airbase is prepped for a possible return home and guarded by a detachment of British Army On the Rhine troops.
A bit further to the East and across the Iron Curtain, a Polish Air Force MIG-23ML ‘Flogger’ was under the care of a guard and his dog…….
…..before the pilot, in his bright East German flying suit, and ground crew arrived……
…..and prepared for a night sortie.Back in the west and with the Vulcan departed for places unknown, our troops relaxed at the airfield defenses with a brew up and a tab…..
….before being airlifted in a Wessex……….
……to apprehend a defecting pilot who had just landed in the west.
Remarkably our Polish pilot in his bright East German flying suit had managed to nick a Russian Air Force MIG-27K ‘Flogger’ and he was being detained until the Secret Squirrel people arrived……
……while the troops tried to camouflage their new prize from prying eyes.At another part of the airfield the Buccaneer crew that had escorted the MIG in…….
…were prepping their aircraft for their return to base.
Howard
Please pass on my thanks to the ladies in the shop and cafe who spookily enough, knew who I was. As always they looked after me very well and another excellent toasted sandwich as I warmed up over a bit of lunch. The readout in the taxi when I arrived said -4. Excellent conditions for taking photographs with wall to wall blue sky, plenty of snow and a subdued winter sun although I do have a bit of a red face and its not through the cold. I’ll post a thread later but here’s one to be going on with for now. 😀
Brian
Phantom begins its journey home
Gate Guardian: the Phantom XT914 will be dismantled before being taken to its former home at Wattisham Flying Station where it will be restored and displayed as part of the heritage museum’s historical aircraft collectionRAF Brampton’s Phantom XT914 was removed from its plinth next to the station’s main gate last week and will shortly be transported to Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk.
Following a short farewell ceremony last month, a specialist team was brought in to ‘tug’ the aircraft from its platform.
After 16 years of duty as Gate Guardian to the base, the Phantom will be dismantled ahead of its return to Wattisham, its home until 1992.
Once there, it will be restored to its former glory and displayed by the Wattisham Heritage Museum.
The removal of the Phantom is being carried out by the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron (JARTS), who skillfully manoeuvred the 10-tonne plane into the mechanical transport yard.
Squadron leader Paul Tuite, officer commanding operations and training at RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, said: “It’s a sad day. The Phantom has been a focal point for both station personnel and the local community. Its departure really does mark the start of the station’s closure.”
The JARTS team estimate it will take them a further two months to prepare the Phantom for the final part of its journey to Wattisham by road.
A team member said: “We will now dismantle the Phantom. This will include removing the wings and external fuel tanks from the aircraft and placing them along with the fuselage onto a lorry. With over 3,000 rivets to undo it’s not a quick job.”
Wing Commander Steve Beanlands said: “Although the departure of the Gate Guardian symbolises, in-part, the beginning of the run-down of RAF Brampton, it is very significant that the Phantom is returning to its former home at Wattisham, where it will be restored and displayed as part of the Wattisham Heritage Museum’s historical aircraft collection.”
RAF Brampton’s eventual closure is scheduled for the end of 2013.
Brian
Sign In
