Leuchars Phantom last movement

[RUCAWO]

The fuselage of XT864 , former gate guard at Luchars has reached the Ulster Aviation Society collection at Long Kesh, wings are to be brought over in a few weeks.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK097/_MG_0115.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK097/_MG_0130.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK097/_MG_0140.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK097/_MG_0146.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK097/_MG_0176.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/sniperUK/sniperUK097/_MG_0182.jpg

[Rhino power]

Nice set of images, i'm glad the UAS were successful in acquiring and moving XT864, it's just a shame the same can't be said about the effort to get XV582 to Bruntingthorpe... :(

-RP

[stumpey]

Gives me a "Semi", lookin' at them it do! Whooor :O

[BEagle]

What is the latest news concerning the relocation of XV582?

Good to see the F-4 stored in a hangar at Yeovilton a few weeks ago at the FNHT's Supporters' Day - along with the 'Vixen and the RNHF's Sea Hawk.

Unfortunately the 'guide' didn't bother showing people around the 'Vixen or Sea Hawk, so there was plenty of time to look at the F-4!

[twothree]

Ex 892 Sqdn Ark Royal.

[sitigeltfel]

From the Dundee Courier (http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/raf-leuchars-phantom-to-find-new-home-in-northern-ireland-1.883682)....

UAS chairman Ray Burrows told The Courier: “We’ve had seven working parties rotating through Scotland since the dismantling began over the winter.
“It’s been a difficult job because none of the team had faced that kind of challenge before, and the UAS was unable to find anyone in the UK who was willing and trained to do the work.
“So that made everything 10 times harder,” he said.
“There were hundreds of bolts of different kinds and lynch-pins to remove.”
Mr Burrows said the aircraft had been outside for 25 years, with the weather fusing or corroding many of the connectors.
“It was like peeling an onion,” he added.
“We’d get one panel off and find another bunch of bolts under it, and another bunch under the next panel. It was lot of hard work before we finally arrived at the 10 bolts which held the one-piece wing to the fuselage.”
He admitted, the aircraft was in “fabulous shape—99.9% of it in great condition.”

[Fareastdriver]

the UAS was unable to find anyone in the UK who was willing and trained to do the work

How strange; considering that Aldergrove, just up the road, was the Maintenance Unit that modified all the RN Phantoms to RAF specification.

[MAINJAFAD]

How strange; considering that Aldergrove, just up the road, was the Maintenance Unit that modified all the RN Phantoms to RAF specification.

Which closed around 40 years ago.

[Valiantone]

I seem to recall that all the ex RN jets were ferried to St Athan presumably being de-navalised there?


V1

[Not_a_boffin]

Good to see the F-4 stored in a hangar at Yeovilton a few weeks ago at the FNHT's Supporters' Day - along with the 'Vixen and the RNHF's Sea Hawk.

Unfortunately the 'guide' didn't bother showing people around the 'Vixen or Sea Hawk, so there was plenty of time to look at the F-4!

Beags - you might appreciate the article on pg20 in this...

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/royal%20navy%20responsive/documents/useful%20resources/20150326-tnevol05no1spring15.pdf

Come to think of it, if anyone in the UAS is reading this, or if anyone reading this has contacts in the UAS, it might be well worth pointing them at 1710NAS for a bit of advice...particularly wrt cadmium oxide hazards.

[Courtney Mil]

I seem to recall that all the ex RN jets were ferried to St Athan presumably being de-navalised there.

Judging by the FG1s I flew (including XT864), I'm not sure what de-navalisation was done. Maybe a good clean to get rid of the smell of fish?

[glad rag]

I believe this was the record holder?

Happy she's gone to a good home where she will be cherished.

Does the Army really want to completely sanitise the base?

[Rhino power]

What is the latest news concerning the relocation of XV582?

XV582 is still at Leuchars, and will be for the foreseeable future. As to the individual who 'misaproppriated' the funds which had been raised by the 'Save Black Mike' Go Fund Me page, the police appear to have caught up, or be on the verge of catching up with him, it would appear he has been quite a villainous little swine with a number of other aviation projects and groups as well. The ITAR agreement is still causing a few headaches, but this allows more time to try and right the wrongs committed by the aforementioned miscreant, and restore some trust in those who donated money in good faith...

-RP

[Valiantone]

glad rag

The Tornado F.3 is staying apparently. Probably to remind the new tenants not to wreck the place...

Courtney Mil,

Did they keep the double extension nosewheel ?

V1

[Fluffy Bunny]

Bit like the closure of Bruggen. The Jagbag on a stick was removed from outside of SHQ. However, it was mentioned one night in the mess that although you might have got rid of the airframes and renamed the place Javelin barracks, the airforce did infact fly an aeroplane called Javelin several decades ago!!

[Rhino power]

Did they keep the double extension nosewheel?

Yes, but it was disabled, as was the faster reheat light up...

-RP

[glad rag]

Valiantone, I was actually thinking more of the Norwegian memorial tbh.

[GroundStart]

They did De-sanitised Aldergrove very quick, when the RAF left. Unfortunatley they have been unable to remove the Wessex from outside SHQ, they did try and pass ownership to 502 (Ulster)Sqn RAuxF, but it was pointed out they have no TG1 personnel to look after it. But they have now put a Gazelle across from it next to the old 72 Sqn hanger. From my undersatnding the Wessex is in a bit of state, tyres deflated, rotors tied down with white rope. At one stage some airtroopers spray painted it, after a night out.:confused: