Sqn Gate Guardian

[In Omnibus Princeps]

Good evening all,

1(F) Sqn has recently reformed at RAF Leuchars and will move shortly to its new home on the southern HAS site.

We are on the hunt for a gate guardian to occupy the empty plinth outside Sqn HQ where the 111(F) Sqn Lightning stood.

The aircraft we’re after will have been flown by the Sqn and must be up to withstanding the Scottish weather all year round. This probably means one of the metal jets: Meteor, Hunter or Harrier.

If anyone can point us towards such an aircraft, or has any ideas, advice or suggestions, then please get in touch.

With thanks,

1(F) Sqn

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

2366 Sqn ATC have one. I think they're keeping it, but know of others.
Try
Content - 2366 Squadron Air Training Corps (http://www.2366atc.co.uk/?id=55)
or via this thread
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/409426-harrier-gr3-raf-service-record.html

[AGS Man]

Davis Monthan Air Base has some Harriers!

[TOWTEAMBASE]

RAF Wittering updated their harrier a while back, maybe the old one is gathering dust in a hangar somewhere ?

[howiehowie93]

There was a Harrier at Deci, what happened to that one ? Could it be transported to Leuchars ? It wasn't on display when i last saw it but in the corner of the hanger.

[Wander00]

What happened to the Spitfire ISTR outside 1 Sqn's hangar at Wittering that was visible from the A1 (OK, it was a few years back!)

[lj101]

HHA Aircraft Fleet (http://www.hunterteam.com/hha_aircraft_fleet.htm)


Maybe someone at the above could help source something suitable.

Or....

EVERETT AERO SALES & SUPPORT. (http://www.everettaero.com/)

[downsizer]

Cosford used to have GR3s....

[HaveQuick2]

This site looks like a good place to start.

Demobbed - Out of Service British Military Aircraft (http://www.demobbed.org.uk/)

[Tiger_mate]

Cosford used to have GR3s....

Yes....Jaguars

The Royal Navy are, I believe finished with using their deck manouvering school GR1/3/SHAR/GR9 and as such they are probably going through the disposal process. However actually getting hold of one is quite another matter.

The RN have the (ex-RAF) Harrier that held the Atlantic Crossing Record:
The shortest overall time between London and New York was by Squadron Leader Tom Lecky-Thompson flying a Royal Air Force Hawker Siddeley Harrier in 6 hours 11 minutes.
In 1969 XV741 took part in the transatlantic air race.

....and whilst I believe it was sourced from the Harrier Conversion Flight, it is bound to have served on 1(f) at some time and deserves much better treatment then that served by the senior service in recent years.
AL1 Some websites have it as a 1(f) Sqn machine.

*The fastest west-east was a Royal Navy Phantom*

[downsizer]

Yes....Jaguars

They also had Harrier GR1s and GR3s and at least 1 T4. This was in the 90s. I am 100% certain. If they are there now I have no idea....

[NutLoose]

I might have the ideal solution for you, Predannack the Royal Navy Fire establishment actually has amongst their Harrier GR 3's sitting outside unloved and abandoned XV753 which is a genuine 1Sqn Harrier, also as it is still in house so to speak, perhaps you could come to some agreement, and as there are a couple there, parts shouldn't be an issue to complete one.

Pictures of her

xv753 predannack - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1024&bih=630&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=xv753+predannack&oq=xv753+predannack&gs_l=img.3...13547.16865.0.17866.5.5.0.0.0.0.154.562.1j4.5.0 ...0.0...1ac.1.A1aKIGfhMGU)

Details of Predannack and more images

Royal Naval School Of Fire Fighting Predannack - Aircraft & Airshows (http://www.airshowspresent.com/royal-naval-school-of-fire-fighting-predannack.html)

In her better days

Gastflugzeuge der Royal Air Force – No 1 Sqn | Spotting Group Gütersloh - Flugplatz von 1937 bis heute (http://sg-etuo.de/Visiting-Aircraft/RAF-No1-Sqn)

Taken last year shows how complete they are

Report - Predannack, Cornwall, March 2011 (http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php/59368-Predannack-Cornwall-March-2011)


If it works out, can you get me the canopy bungees off the jag there for someone with a cockpit :ok:

.

[green granite]

Alternatively get a plastic replica made of what ever aircraft you want.

[Kilonovember52]

GR3 XV752 is no longer at Bletchley Park. It was moved to the South Yorkshire Air Museum (Aeroventure) in December 2011. The airframe is still an MOD asset and is under the charge of 1053 (Armthorpe) - Air Cadets Squadron, but is on loan to the Museum. Having extensively researched the aircraft history when I was at 2366 (Bletchley Park) Sqn ATC, I can confirm that 752 saw extensive service with 1F Sqn.

[Willard Whyte]

Wait 5 years or so and paint a 'scrap' Tranche 1 Tiffy in 1 sqn colours.

[NutLoose]

GR3 XV752 is no longer at Bletchley Park. It was moved to the South Yorkshire Air Museum (Aeroventure) in December 2011. The airframe is still an MOD asset and is under the charge of 1053 (Armthorpe) - Air Cadets Squadron, but is on loan to the Museum. Having extensively researched the aircraft history when I was at 2366 (Bletchley Park) Sqn ATC, I can confirm that 752 saw extensive service with 1F Sqn.

A lot of work went into that and securing it's future, please look elsewhere. As said rescuing one of those I listed earlier with a relevant history from a terminal fate would be a good result.

[Courtney Mil]

The Southern HAS site there is a particularly harsh environment. The proximity to the Eden Estuary, the sea spray, the driving wind and crews that used to inhabit 'the other place' would corrode even the most resilient of alloys.

Can you asure me that 1 Sqn's arrival there will change any of that? It would be tempting to say a Harrier, having a significant Airfix content, might survive. But is that the image the Fighter Squadron wishes to adopt? Why not see if BAES might donate an EAP as the forerunner for your jet?

You guys represent a very new 1 Sqn. Choose something fitting.

[Pontius Navigator]

With reference to #4, is it tied down? Couple of pickeys and a truck?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I'd have thought 617 or IX would be the people to talk to about "borrowing" things from RAF bases.

[Scruffy Fanny]

The EAP is now in the museum at Cosford - about to go on display and not really suitable as a gate guard being a unique prototype- BAe used to have a plastic EFA that might be better- don't think there are many Meteor F8s left , what happened to the RAF exhibition flight Harrier made of plastic ?

[60024]

1 Sqn? You'll need a balloon then!:}

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

http://albums.mouseplanet.com/Desktops/MickeyBalloon_desktop1_800.jpg

[TomJoad]

There used to be a fella at STC that dealt with such things; sourcing the ac and giving authority to mount as gate guardian. Sure there was some DCI covering it . Not sure if the same fella still exists within Air Cmd but may be worth a try.
You wouldn't believe the grief involved in putting the F3 there at Leucahrs - have fun - worth it in the end !

[NutLoose]

There are some F8's here

http://forum.keypublishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=186154&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1277985296

http://forum.keypublishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=186153&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1277985296

You should be able to pick the odd one up at the end of the campaign in Syria :p

[Justanopinion]

But is that the image the Fighter Squadron wishes to adopt?

What, single seat and above average?

[Scruffy Fanny]

From what I understand the complete aircraft in Syria are NF versions not used by 1 Squadron

[BEagle]

What happened to the Harrier (model?) which used to be on the gate at pre-pongo RAF Cottesmore?

No doubt there's some old lorry or gun there now instead.....:bored:

[Scruffy Fanny]

It was a genuine GR3 - now moved to the ATC centre at Swannick (sp?) and preserved- I think one of the trans Atlantic air race aircraft XV741 would be very suitable- leave it outside in the summer but put it away in the winter ?

[Lima Juliet]

The GR7/9 with all the bits of shrapnel in it is still outside the gate at Wittering and staring at the A1?

Or get one of these and you can use it for the Summer Ball as well...:ok:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.historikorders.com/balloon1.jpg&sa=X&ei=m3R6UJzKDcqp0QW-roGoCw&ved=0CJYDEPMH&usg=AFQjCNF90mezOJR5-3K9-ZvvKxOq_qgrzw

[noprobs]

Harrier GR7 ZD462 was with 1(F) Sqn when it ended up in the Mediterranean in 1997. It was recovered more or less complete, but never flew again. A few years ago, it was offered for sale by tender from Cosford. I don't know who bought it, or indeed if it was actually sold, but its interesting Squadron history might make it worth a bit of research.

[In Omnibus Princeps]

Thank you very much everyone, some great suggestions to follow up....


Can you asure me that 1 Sqn's arrival there will change any of that? It would be tempting to say a Harrier, having a significant Airfix content, might survive. But is that the image the Fighter Squadron wishes to adopt?


Courtney, the only thing I can assure you is that we would look after any aircraft as best we could. I think that 1(F) Sqn achieved some great and ground-breaking things while flying the Harrier (including during my posting there) and it would thus be a very fitting aircraft to be guarding our gates today as we develop into a mature Typhoon sqn.

Just got to get hold of one now....

[SammySu]

Mature?! ;)

[PX927]

ZD462 is in the Dyson HQ car park in Malmesbury, Wiltshire

See here (http://www.wired.com/business/2012/04/opinion-dyson-harrier-resolve/)

[NutLoose]

Cool, if Dyson can have a Harrier outside their HQ, perhaps 1 Sqn can have a Dyson outside theirs :p

[The Helpful Stacker]

Do my eyes deceive me or does Mr Dyson's Harrier have some sort of guns strapped to it's underneath?

[Halton Brat]

That would be the 'Dyson with Death' model then......

HB

[vulcanxl426]

Well ive found a harrier gr7 thats up for sale havent got a price but perhaps this might help you out and it looks like it will need very little work also . See link below.


EVERETT AERO SALES & SUPPORT. (http://www.everettaero.com/)

[downsizer]

Do my eyes deceive me or does Mr Dyson's Harrier have some sort of guns strapped to it's underneath?

No guns, just empty pods, which were flown with in the mid to late 90's. Pretty sure they went completely strake from circa 2000.....

[Moi/]

Obtain this, glue it back together and hey presto..

http://www.ukserials.com/images/losses/zj943.jpg

[Climebear]

There is a really tired looking GR3 outside a TA building attached to Chilwell Station in Nottingham.

[The Helpful Stacker]

It isn't a GR3, it is a T4 (XW267).

[Tiger_mate]

It is also an ex Boscombe Down T4 still wearing AWC badges.

[High_Expect]

No self respecting fighter Sqn would have a target as their gate guard!

[Climebear]

What happened to the plan to have all (3) Typhoon squadrons on the waterfront at Leuchars?

Or has that been revisited pending the move further north?

[NutLoose]

There is a really tired looking GR3 outside a TA building attached to Chilwell Station in Nottingham.

Yup along side a digger, I could take a pic of the Harrier if wanted.

[NutLoose]

XZ130 is up for disposal, that served with 1 Sqn

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sale-of-a-harrier-gr3-aircraft-tail-number-xz130

[Typhoon93]

Moi,

Any info on that Typhoon? What caused that? Just out of curiosity.

Is that a live weapon on the pylon? I would have sh*t myself!

[MAINJAFAD]

Typhoon

Not a live weapon (coloured bands would be mid brown for live rocket motor and golden Yellow for live warhead if it was). This one has a blue band for inert rocket motor and a pink band showing that the round had a working seeker head for target acquisition training. The Typhoon crashed at China Lake in the USA back in 2008 and was written off (beyond economical repair) after undercarriage failure.

[jonw66]

Typhoon type zj943 into google
Mainjafad are you being kind I don't know by the way.