Help Save A Phantom

[CoffmanStarter]

I don't have any connection with this organisation, but having donated myself, I thought other Members might be interested in helping to save XV582 'Black Mike'.



Image Credit : BPAG

Originally Posted by The Courier

In February 1988, Phantom XV582, more commonly known as Black Mike due to the special livery it was given upon retirement, became the first RAF F4 to pass 5,000 flying hours.

At the same time, while attached to Leuchars’ 43 (F) Squadron, it undertook a record-breaking 590-mile run from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in 46 minutes and 44 seconds at an average speed of 757mph.

Home Page : Save XV582 'Black Mike'

Enthusiasts Behind Bid To Save RAF F4 Phantom Jet

Save Phantom XV582 'Black Mike' : GoFundMe

Originally Posted by BPAG

We are a team of current and former forces personnel with a huge amount of Phantom experience. Our aim is to acquire XV582 and to move the airframe from its current home at RAF Leuchars to Bruntingthorpe Airfield in Leicestershire. There it will be extensively refurbished and preserved for the enjoyment of the public as a significant heritage asset. The ultimate aim of the group is to bring the airframe up to ground running condition.

This appeal is to cover the cost of the initial acquisition and the transportation costs involved in the move to Bruntinthorpe. If we are successful a Phantom Phan club will be formed to help support the ongoing restoration.

The aircraft will be acquired by a CIO charitable foundation so no individuals with have a claim to it and no-one will benefit financially from this fundraising effort. 100% of your donations will go straight to helping to acquire and preserve the aircraft. If we fail to acquire the aircraft all money that has been received from this appeal will be either returned or donated to charity in a 50/50 split between the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Fly Navy Heritage Trust at the discretion of the individual benefactors.

I'll bet there are a few Members who have flown XV582

Coff.

PS ... I appreciate there were earlier Threads on XV582 ... but thought a 'Fresh' title was appropriate.

[Alber Ratman]

A little more info on this thread is the fact that the BPAG have actually won the bid to buy the aircraft! They were told yesterday. The original 75K target has been slashed to 38K due to the fact that they won (I suspect) without much competition. They will however be in a race to build the funds up to pay for the means to prep the aircraft for a road move (wing will have to come off) and the haulage cost to move everything down. They will have tight deadlines to work to now as well.

[NutherA2]

I'll bet there are few Members who have flown XV582

I flew XV582 for the first time on 1 April 1970 and for the last time on 25 September 1973. Any more of Hank Martin's men out there?

[WH904]

Meanwhile, the unique XT597 is still for sale with Everett... Would be a terrible shame if this aircraft doesn't find a good home

[NickB]

Meanwhile, the unique XT597 is still for sale with Everett... Would be a terrible shame if this aircraft doesn't find a good home

Couldn't agree more - if ever there was a UK F-4 that needed preserving it surely should be this a/c.

Remember it at IAT Greenham Common in 83 looking resplendent admist a long line of Phantoms...

[54Phan]

I donated last month and will see what other funds I can divert to this most worthy purpose from the Bank of 54Phan at the end of this month.

[Tashengurt]

From the British F-4 Phantoms group on 'Factburk' there seems to be growing concerns that the Go fund me page seems to have disappeared along with the donated funds.
Anyone here shed any light on what going on?

[CoffmanStarter]

Nothing to add Tash.

This from the BPAG Website "About Us" Page ...

BPAG was created early in 2013 from an idea by Phil Moore, Justin Keeble and David Butterfield. It amalgamated two other Facebook groups into one site. This was to share common thoughts experiences, photographs and knowledge on all British Rolls Royce Spey engine McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms FRG2 and FG1 models.

Following sales by MOD disposals of XG497 from RAF Waddington, two other phantom airframes from Boscombe Down and RAF Leeming to private enterprises, BPAG started a Facebook campaign to save for the benefit of the British public XV582 ‘Black Mike’ from RAF Leuchars.

Now the time has come and 'Black Mike' is up for open tender. We have appointend Matthew Wilkes to oversee the fund raising and acquisition of the aircraft. A Go fund me page has been set up to directly collect all funds in one place for the cause. This will be the basis of our bid for the aircrat. The funds will either be used for the purchase of the aircraft or if were unsuccesful be divded equally between Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Charities.

An announcement from BPAG would seem timely and appropriate ...

Update : I have eMailed both addresses shown on the BPAG Website (Contact Us) seeking a SitRep

[CoffmanStarter]

Further Update ...

I have just received this eMail in response to my SitRep request ...

I am aware of this current situation regarding the fundraising page. We're currently investigating as to the reason the page has been removed also to the exact location of the funds.

When we have gathered solid facts we will be able to inform everyone in 5 he fullest possible sense.

Until then I ask for your patience.

Regards

Sam Thompson
General Secretary
The British F4 Phantom Aviation Group

[Alber Ratman]

Not promising.. Mr Wilkes had been mentioned to me by someone else who had been helpful to him and been let down. Seems the warning was correct (and I have donated).

[Lima Juliet]

What a git!

[Tashengurt]

It seems that this may not be a simple 'take the cash and b*gger off to Benidorm' deal.
Looks like the funds donated for Black Mike have been moved sideways into another, more generic, warbird fund.
Overall though, I'd imagine it brings the airframe one step closer to the scrappies door.

[RUCAWO]

Meanwhile the Ulster Aviation Society team are oover to Leuchars for their third weekend stripping their one down for transport. Helps when someone knows what they are doing moving historic aircraft.

https://www.facebook.com/UlsterAviationSociety

[Alber Ratman]

It is not Mr Wilkes money to do what he pleases with. So the UAS paid 31 grand for their purchase. Airframes sold for peanuts is no longer the way.

[glad rag]

slightly ot

What was the squadron history of XV 582?

[Rhino power]

Originally Posted by glad rag

What was the squadron history of XV 582?

43, 111 and a short spell with 228 OCU, in that order...

-RP

[NutherA2]

When 43(F) Sqn reformed in September 1969, XV582 was one of the FG1 aircraft on the squadron strength. In those happy days we had 10 aircraft, 12 crews and our primary role was defending HM Ships; IIRC we weren't tasked with more normal Air Defence operations such as QRA (IAF?) until November/December 1970 when Lightnings started catching fire even more often than normal. XV582 was still wifh 43 when I left in 1974, but was transferred to 111 at some later date.

[glad rag]

OK to put it another way, what was the difference in time, proportionally to length of squadron service, between 43 and 111 equipping with the F3?

[Martin the Martian]

43 flew its last Phantom sortie on 31 July 1989 and received its first Tornado F.3s on 23 September. It was declared operational on 1 July 1990.

111 flew its last operational Phantom sortie on 31 October 1989, but carried out aircrew currency flights until the end of January 1990. A 'new' 111 reformed on 1 May 1990 as the last Tornado F.3 squadron and was declared operational on 1 January 1991.

[54Phan]

I just want Black Mike saved.