56F Wattisham..(Phantom)

[wilmot]

Please does anyone have any good detailed pics of the colour scheme of the 56F Phantom.... close ups preferably...am in the early stages of building a flying model...(Jet powered)and need as much help and info as poss.... Thanks in advance....Wilmot..(Liege-Belgium)

[JagRigger]

I'd suggest getting hold of the Revell 1:48 model - it's got 56 markings in it.

Some good shots of the kit at http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=RV4588

[PICKS135]

Try Here

http://tinyurl.com/yw9u9r

Scroll down a Phew Phabulous Photos and you'll Phind what your looking Phor

[threepointonefour]

I'd suggest getting hold of the Revell 1:48 model - it's got 56 markings in it.

Some good shots of the kit at http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/?FULL=RV4588

:8 Nerd Alert !! :8

[dakkg651]

Threepointonefour

I fly a current military aircraft.
I restore vintage military aircraft.
I build kits of military aircraft.

Does this mean I'm a nerd as well?

Wilmot

Not all Brits are unhelpful pratts. Good luck with the model.

[Foxthreekill]

I fly a current military aircraft.
I restore vintage military aircraft.
I build kits of military aircraft.
Does this mean I'm a nerd as well?

Yes!................

[JagRigger]

Rising to the bait -

I am an aircraft engineer - just finished my 22, now civi. I regard the two disciplines as having some significant similarities:

Patience, hand skills, hand eye co-ordination to name but a few.

Besides I also have numerous more energetic pursuits, and a wife/family -

I've got a life thanks.............

[The Claw]

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6291/phantomlt9.jpg

[Four Types]

The reason you have lots of pictures of 56 Sqn aircraft like this is because it was 74 (Tiger) Sqn who were doing all the flying!!



Banter.....it is good for the soul!:}

[wilmot]

Thanks for all th pics and info Guys..I was an engineer on 56 for 3 1/2 years and now in total 27 years....and I enjoy my Job as much now as I did back in 77 when I went to Halton..If im a nerd, well so be it..27 years as a nerd (aircraft engineer) has done me very well..Once again Gentlemed thanks for the Pics and Info...Hope im not a nerd for reading PPRUNE as well...!!!!!:D :ok:

[threepointonefour]

What word begins with "B' and ends in 'anter'?


Wilmot: good luck with the model - I saw a few jet models at a secret Lincolnshire airbase recently and was well impressed with the speed and control!

ps. I was once approached by the CO of the 'Virtual' 56 Sqn (Tornados). He took 'nerd' to a whole new level.
See http://www.xv.flyer.co.uk/rvaf/#reserve for details on how to join the VRAF (Virtual RAF!).

[Black 'n Yellar]

There is some footage of Phantoms in flight at http://www.flyingmarines.com/Videos/Video_Gallery2.htm. I am not sure if they are 56 Sqn, but it may help

[wilmot]

Thanks boys GREAT effort and fantastic info, very suprised the quality of the pics as they were pre-digital. My Phantom will as close as physically possible and will be professionally painted and will have working flaps, slats and landing gear. Its the individual panel and fasteners, whats titanium and whats aluminium, so my painter has as much detailed info as poss. Will keep you updated and pics as things move on. This project is my idea but all the brains and knowhow are being delt with my Mate Jono, who has over 25 years + flying R/C aircraft, and has tought me to fly...( He is a widebody Captian) so he knows what hes doing :ok: and thanks to all again...

[peppermint_jam]

There's a pile of Photos on the rather good airsceneuk site, but you'll need to know the serial numbers that shifty-fix had at the time. Otherwise you'll just have to look at a whole pile of Phantom pictures to find the ones you want. Lets face it, there's far worse ways to spend a day!

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/phantoms/phantoms.htm

p_j

[wilmot]

I very much like the colour scheme on XV286 (Sharks Mouth)...Ive been told their are quite a lot of US F4's but none from the RAF..If that is the case I'd better do a proper job of it...Does anyone know any better.. 57" wingspan, 1/5th scale, it will weigh about 30 pounds and have 37 pounds of thrust. Should be fit for 275-300 MPH :eek:

[wilmot]

Please does anyone have a picture of the Sqn Badge (56F), so I can get some transfers made to scale......... Thanks Again in advance to anyone who helps me with my little project.....Wilmot (Liege-Belgium)

[Wrathmonk]

Wilmot

Try here (http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/56squadron.cfm)

[ORAC]

This is the Sqn badge, but I presume you are really after the aircrft badge/chequerboaqrd etc. Have a look here, you may be able to get the kit and scale-up their decals. - Hasegawa Phantom FGR Mk.2 (F-4M Phantom II), kit number 07016 (P016). (http://hsfeatures.com/f4mda_1.htm)


http://www.joebridge.co.uk/gallery/crests-600/56rsqn-600.jpg

[Geehovah]

How about this one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/DeeGee/F4snow2.jpg

[wilmot]

Fantastic pictures and info guys.. Cannot believe the response from everyone,all the snippets of info are all being saved... Anyone any details of the armourment 4 Sparrow and 4 9L's if I remember.....Colours and markings, if poss...must try and get everything correct, dont want anyone picking holes and saying "Thats the wrong shade of whatever"....and once again Thanks to everyone:)

[wilmot]

Thanks OR AC, I forgot about the Cannon, could never forget the Armourers grumbling loading these in Akrotiri, in the heat with a barking hangover, after the JUGS of "Kockanelli" (Dodgy spelling) the night before.....anyway back to business....I will be trying to get the Lighting as close as poss. I can buy Scale size LED's from the States, but im after some night shots or anyone who can remember the positioning of the strobes, beacons, landing lights etc, my friend Jono has sourced the Engine, fully retractable u/c with brakes and a chute system we can incorporate. So slowly with all your help, im on the downhill run, research wise..:) Thanks again Wilmot..

[BEagle]

Kokkinelli! But normally came in bottles; Brandy sours came in jugs!

See this old thread:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=77559

Good luck with the model F-4 - it'll certainly be something to see when it's finished!

[ORAC]

Kokkinelli! But normally came in bottles

Hmmm. We used to go down to the village wine shop in Limmasol and taste the various ones available. The owner would mix them into various "malts" till we found a mix we liked, then we'd take it away in the classic plastic demijohns.

The number we bought using depending how much "tasting" we'd done...

[BEagle]

I've only bought Kokkinelli in a 5 oke demi-john once.....to take back to the UK in 1978. It didn't really survive the trip home and needed extra Keo brandy and tap water to render it drinkable.

I was thinking more of how it came in kebab places - in a grubby bottle with neither label nor cap!

[wilmot]

Now i know im trawling the old " Grey Fluff " here, but in 87, just outside the gate at Akrotiri on the left, there was a Restaurant...( Kebab House) and they did serve groundcrew Jugs of Kockenilli...the bottles were always too small......Ha Ha........but as the "Officers" were supposed to be 'Posh' they were only allowed Bottles.... plus the fact they couldn't drink a jug full without falling over......Bait...Bait...:p :} ...Just for fun!!!!!!.....Anyway what about my lights........

[UpShutter]

A couple of camo jobs from the '70s.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Finningley/FGR2FinXV464-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Historic/Saint%20Mawgan%201976/FGR2StMXV489-6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Historic/Saint%20Mawgan%201976/FGR2StMXV489-5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Historic/Saint%20Mawgan%201976/FGR2StMXV489-7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/MikePix/Historic/Saint%20Mawgan%201976/FGR2StMXV489-2.jpg

[wilmot]

Still after some pics of an F4 with the Lighting on.... its the detailing im after, apart from the obvious Landing light on the nose, and the Nav lights on the wing tips...Still need any strobes and beacons.... come on Guys have a good dig for me, i've nearly got square eyes looking for info....especially any Military spotters:8 :ok: who are reading..... Thanks again in advance...Wilmot..(Liege-Belgium)

[SlopJockey]

Short stout DF on 56(F) in the late 80's. Then you should know all the numbers and I'm surprised you haven't still got your course notes from Conz to refer to for the lights.
SJ

[Geehovah]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/DeeGee/Takeoff2.jpg

[wilmot]

Maybe!!!:cool: I used to live in the White Horse Pub in Hitcham............Great night shot .....any more anyone.....:D

[wilmot]

:ok: Come on Boys, Nearly got all I need, just a couple more shots of an F4 at night/dusk with all its lights on.............I know its a BIG ask of all of you all...but I MUST be as accurate as possible, to get my scale replica perfect...A big thanks to all of you who have helped so far, and unless anyone tells me different my 2 mtr long 250+ MPH F4M will be the only one in Europe, possibly the world, Flying in RAF (56F) colours...:ok: Wng Cmdr Ali McKay (Hope the spellings correct) was our boss at the time,any Ideas what hes doing now...And Sqn Ldr David Case..any Ideas where..?????

[k3k3]

Ali McKay was station commander at Wildenrath shortly before it closed, I think he retired from there and went to Cathay Pacific.

[threeputt]

Although I was never good enough to be an F4 mate I knew lot's of them. The Ali McKay I knew retired and went to work for one of the large retail chains (M&S ?) as a fast track senior manager. Did remarkably well as I recall and, I beleive, achieved board status. Top Bloke, first met him when I was sat in the Wyton V-Force dispersal caravan, on TACEVAL , monitoring the phone. In pops Ali (Distaff-Sqn Ldr Staff Officer from 11 Gp) and whilst idly chatting away he try's to sell me his motor!:ok:

3P

[midsomerjambo]

Not that I ever worked on F4s (though not for want of trying - it would have been dead convenient as I lived in Stowmarket 'cos Mrs. MSJ needed to commute to London), but the best I could manage was the electric flick-knife at Honington. Anyway, I digress. Wilmot, there is an F4 thread somewhere on these boards which you might find helpful (someone will probably post the link - searching the forums not being a strong suit of mine). In it, someone posted a link to some videos on google.de - this is one of them http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-3552947960606093444
and if you search the site you'll find the rest. Note the odd anti-coll light in the leading edge of the fin - never noticed that before even when they were screaming over my house at 50' AGL (well it felt like that).

MSJ

[Green Flash]

For those who need a Phantom phix I think the GAF are bringing a couple over to RIAT this year. Sadly, static.:( And a little birdy tells me there are some at Lossie at the mo. Presume they were here for JMC so they've probably gone home by now.

[Zoom]

wilmot
XV286? I remember most of them but not that one. Try this link for the full inventory:

www.thephantomshrine.co.uk/menu.htm

And since you were concerned about your spelling, the abbreviation for Ali McKay's rank is Wg Cdr.

[oxoneil]

I was a rigger (JT&Cpl) on 56 phrom 84 to 92 and the lowest tail number I remember was XV399 (L). When I arrived we were still working out of 3 hangar and only had 1 camo a/c left by then.

Cheers all
Neil Pugh.