Phantom Phriday
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5,307
Likes: 18
From: Southern Europe
Thanks, Coff. Beautiful pics through the letter box, some of the best yet, in fact. Happy days!
'Harry the Ace' and his buddies in their Hercs could provide a very challenging target especially with 9Gs. I recall guys looking out of every window telling where we were so the pilot could keep us on the beam. He was great at low level. Then we would hear, "if you can roll out behind my 3/9 line off the next run, I'll extend the hose." "Er, aren't you going to climb a bit?" "Clear to contact."
Too much fun.
'Harry the Ace' and his buddies in their Hercs could provide a very challenging target especially with 9Gs. I recall guys looking out of every window telling where we were so the pilot could keep us on the beam. He was great at low level. Then we would hear, "if you can roll out behind my 3/9 line off the next run, I'll extend the hose." "Er, aren't you going to climb a bit?" "Clear to contact."
Too much fun.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 395
Likes: 41
From: Outside the Fence
I think that it is laudable that RAF Coningsby are keeping their Gate Guardian in a good state of repair. I was, however, curious to see XT 891 painted in 41 Squadron colours. Whilst I understand the connection with41 Sqn, the ac never served on the Sqn. Equally, the aircraft is in an Air Defence configuration. 41 Sqn, for it’s short and distinguished lifewith the F4 was a Recce Squadron. To my knowledge, I stand to be corrected, I never saw them fly it that configuration.
I believe that the ac should remain in it’s 228 OCU/64(R) Sqncolours. If it is imperative to keep the 41 Sqn colours, at least make the configuration representative.
The aircraft was delivered in July 1968 to the RAF, she was issued to 228 OCU the next month, but moved on to 54 Squadron when theyre-formed with Phantoms. She then passed back to 228 OCU and served with them until 1984 when her crew ejected from the aircraft when it veered off therunway onto the grass due to a nosewheel steering failure. After repair she was returned to the unit but subsequently suffered a fire. The aircraft wasrepaired once more, suffered another fire and finally returned to active service. On retirement she was earmarked for gate guard duties at Coningsby where she had spent most of her flying career. She was repainted in the old camo colours in 1999.
I believe that the ac should remain in it’s 228 OCU/64(R) Sqncolours. If it is imperative to keep the 41 Sqn colours, at least make the configuration representative.
The aircraft was delivered in July 1968 to the RAF, she was issued to 228 OCU the next month, but moved on to 54 Squadron when theyre-formed with Phantoms. She then passed back to 228 OCU and served with them until 1984 when her crew ejected from the aircraft when it veered off therunway onto the grass due to a nosewheel steering failure. After repair she was returned to the unit but subsequently suffered a fire. The aircraft wasrepaired once more, suffered another fire and finally returned to active service. On retirement she was earmarked for gate guard duties at Coningsby where she had spent most of her flying career. She was repainted in the old camo colours in 1999.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 395
Likes: 41
From: Outside the Fence
Yes 27mm,
I agree that the ac is in RAFG Battle Flight Fit. It could of course also be in 64(R) Sqn war fit. My point is that 41 Sqn only operated the Phantom for 4 short years, and that was in the Recce Role. XT 981 spent the majority of it's life on 228/64 Sqn at Coningsby. Although the first few years on 228 OCU involved mud moving, the majority of the life of the unit was teaching Air Defence. It is only fitting that the ac returns to it's rightful 228/64 paint scheme and AD Fit. I'm sure that in time 41 Sqn can compliment the F3 Gate Guardian with a GR4 in a suitable paint scheme.
I agree that the ac is in RAFG Battle Flight Fit. It could of course also be in 64(R) Sqn war fit. My point is that 41 Sqn only operated the Phantom for 4 short years, and that was in the Recce Role. XT 981 spent the majority of it's life on 228/64 Sqn at Coningsby. Although the first few years on 228 OCU involved mud moving, the majority of the life of the unit was teaching Air Defence. It is only fitting that the ac returns to it's rightful 228/64 paint scheme and AD Fit. I'm sure that in time 41 Sqn can compliment the F3 Gate Guardian with a GR4 in a suitable paint scheme.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Spain
I find myself agreeing with Dominator. Whilst it's very good to see 891 looking so well presrved, she really should be in 228 / 64 colours. As fine a squadron as 41 were, they never 'owned' 891 and the role fit is not appropriate to them.
I should add, my last F4 trip was in 891 - we had a FIRE light. I still remember the drill.
I should add, my last F4 trip was in 891 - we had a FIRE light. I still remember the drill.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 36,145
Likes: 5,739
From: Falling off the end of the thread
Well the Phantom FGR2 XV499 from leeming that was offered for sale has been scrapped, they have just chopped it up at Hixton..
UK PLC has just put the Javelin at Leeming up for sale, one hopes that does not go the same way
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...faw-4-aircraft
UK PLC has just put the Javelin at Leeming up for sale, one hopes that does not go the same way
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...faw-4-aircraft
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,992
Likes: 3
From: East Sussex UK
Phriday the 13th ... Spooky ... So let's have a few more classic pics 
Image Credit : Unable to assign with certainty : Probably MOD RAF
I make that eighteen ... 1969 228 OCU ... marvellous sight
Image Credit : Unable to assign with certainty : Probably MOD RAF
I make that eighteen ... 1969 228 OCU ... marvellous sight
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 13th February 2015 at 16:03.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,400
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Rather nicer weather for this dashed handsome group of Firebirds:
And before some spotter asks, I've no idea why that pylon has a Coningsby marking!
APC RAF Akrotiri August 1982. Can it really have been over 30 years ago?
A typical 3-day trip for the RAF's premier tanker squadron in Oct 1988 when we trailed this pair from 19 Sqn to Red Flag via Goose:
Oct 4th, Brize-Goose; Oct 5th Goose-Lincoln (the F-4s went to Nellis); Oct 6th Lincoln-Brize. I see that my co-pilot on this trip was that genial Irish rogue Ray F Knowles, whose funeral many of us attended yesterday. We flew VC10K3 ZA150, which can currently be seen in the background at Dunsfold near the Top Gear test track.
A good month, Oct 1988: IRE trip on a sqn pilot the day before the trail, 3 AAR trips including night prodding the following week, a sim session, a dining-in night, ODT, an IntO day at Upavon, some secondary role training - and finally another week in the USA. 9 trips and 34 hours - those were the days on 101!
And before some spotter asks, I've no idea why that pylon has a Coningsby marking!
APC RAF Akrotiri August 1982. Can it really have been over 30 years ago?
A typical 3-day trip for the RAF's premier tanker squadron in Oct 1988 when we trailed this pair from 19 Sqn to Red Flag via Goose:
Oct 4th, Brize-Goose; Oct 5th Goose-Lincoln (the F-4s went to Nellis); Oct 6th Lincoln-Brize. I see that my co-pilot on this trip was that genial Irish rogue Ray F Knowles, whose funeral many of us attended yesterday. We flew VC10K3 ZA150, which can currently be seen in the background at Dunsfold near the Top Gear test track.
A good month, Oct 1988: IRE trip on a sqn pilot the day before the trail, 3 AAR trips including night prodding the following week, a sim session, a dining-in night, ODT, an IntO day at Upavon, some secondary role training - and finally another week in the USA. 9 trips and 34 hours - those were the days on 101!