Phantom Phriday
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,400
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
When our 'hemp' VC10Ks were repainted in grey, it was referred to not as 'Barley' grey, but as 'John Major' grey - he was PM at the time.
The first grey jet came back with a pansy wedgwood 'blue vein' cheat line and white lettering - very camp. Fortunately that was short lived and the cheat line and lettering were soon repainted in contrasting grey.
The first grey jet came back with a pansy wedgwood 'blue vein' cheat line and white lettering - very camp. Fortunately that was short lived and the cheat line and lettering were soon repainted in contrasting grey.
Last edited by BEagle; 16th February 2015 at 22:13.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 4
From: scotland
An early colour scheme with white Sargeant Fletchers (?) and no Sqn markings. I think that this was 6 Sqn in Cyprus in Sep 69. The aircraft at that time belonged to Eng Wing and we were allocated them to fly when available. As there were (I think 3 by then) several users the Sqn markings were not displayed - much to the chagrin of the Sqns. This system only lasted a short time as we didn't even have dedicated ground crew. By '70 I think the aircraft had reverted to the Sqns as had the ground crew. A try at centralised servicing that was doomed to failure as we were expected to be off base for several months each year.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,992
Likes: 3
From: East Sussex UK
That's another fine early pic from you CJ 
I believe XV436 went on to serve with 29, 31, 64 and 111 Squadrons. Sadly she was lost in March 1980 (thankfully the crew survived) when atempting a flapless night landing after hydraulic failure but missed the arresting cable and crashed off end of the runway at Coningsby
Welcome Bevo
I believe XV436 went on to serve with 29, 31, 64 and 111 Squadrons. Sadly she was lost in March 1980 (thankfully the crew survived) when atempting a flapless night landing after hydraulic failure but missed the arresting cable and crashed off end of the runway at Coningsby
Welcome Bevo
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 21st February 2015 at 12:09.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,992
Likes: 3
From: East Sussex UK
Sorry ... I was otherwise distracted yesterday ... +24 Hrs post then 
Image Credit : Erich Westersötebier : RAF Guetersloh Spotters
Someone must know the background story here (circa Dec 1976) ... it's either a €ock-up by the Painters & Finishers or 43 really stitched up 19
Image Credit : Erich Westersötebier : RAF Guetersloh Spotters
Someone must know the background story here (circa Dec 1976) ... it's either a €ock-up by the Painters & Finishers or 43 really stitched up 19
in Cyprus in 69.
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 4
From: New Braunfels, TX
REF POST #113.
All the Phantoms I'm familiar with had the refuel probe on the starboard side. Did the UK have them moved to the port side? If so, why? Or is that something else on the port intake cowl?
All the Phantoms I'm familiar with had the refuel probe on the starboard side. Did the UK have them moved to the port side? If so, why? Or is that something else on the port intake cowl?
