RAF Phantom fuselage on trailer M6

[EGNH1909]

Hi everyone.
Wednesday afternoon 25 Oct 3.40pm I was travelling north on M6 in Lancashire, saw a Phantom fuselage on back of a trailer, heading southbound- painted black with couple of yellow markings and looked like XV562 serial- tried googling it when I got home but no info- only a fleeting glimpse of it on dashcam.
Just wondered if anybody has any clues/information?
Would be interested to find out.

Cheers.
Pete.

[MRTT]

That would have been 'Black Mike' on it's way to Cosford.

[Nighthawke]

XV582

[EGNH1909]

That would have been 'Black Mike' on it's way to Cosford.

XV582

Cheers for the replies- I knew someone would come up with an answer pretty quick!!
I only got a quick glance as it passed me on the other side of the M6, hence the incorrect serial.

Much appreciated

Pete

[Tom.Joyce]

http://bit.ly/2yTtZCW

[TankBuster]

I thought Black Mike was originally destined to go to Bruntingthorpe?

TankBuster

[iainpeden]

It was - if you hunt about on UKAR (Aviation Review), there's a longer discussion about ownership. Including here http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=79313
From the Cosford airshow side it appears that she'll be on display for the RAF 100th celebrations there. Personally I hope she goes into the Cold War building eventually as it's crying out for a complete Phantom.

[Unknown74]

Would love to see both Black Mike and Cosford's Spotty Jaguar both at the RAF Museum at Cosford, was last down at Cosford about 4 years ago and wondered then why they only had the front section of a Phantom so the prospect of Black Mike becoming an exhibit is pretty cool, also with regard the Spotty Jag, that shouldn't be locked way in a hangar at Cosford it should be at the Cosford Museum, is the Rasberry Ripple Jaguar the only Jag at Cosford's RAF Museum? If so they should obtain a true in service Jag and none would be better than the Spotty version in the nearby hangar.

[BPAG]

That would have been 'Black Mike' on it's way to Cosford.

That is correct. Thank you to everyone for your interest.

The aircraft arrived at Cosford on Wednesday (25th) and is now safely inside the hangar. Restoration work will continue once our hard working engineering team take a well deserved short rest...

In the meantime though, here is the official press release from RAF Cosford-

"HISTORIC PHANTOM ARRIVES AT RAF COSFORD IN PREPARATION FOR RAF100 AIR SHOW

Following last week’s launch of the RAF Cosford Air Show 2018, today cold-war era F-4 Phantom aircraft, known as ‘Black Mike’, was delivered by road to the airfield, in preparation for the Air Show on Sunday 10th June 2018.

The F-4 Phantom II was operated by the Royal Air Force between 1969 and 1992, principally as an air defence fighter. Although the jet was an American design, produced by McDonnell Douglas, the UK’s Phantoms were a special batch built separately and containing a significant amount of British technology including the addition of Rolls-Royce Spey engines. Of all the UK’s Phantoms, the airframe which arrived today at RAF Cosford is perhaps one of the most iconic, known as ‘Black Mike’ due to its unique paint scheme applied by 111(F) Squadron in the late 1980s.

The airframe, now owned by GJD Services Ltd, has been the centre of a campaign by aviation enthusiasts, who plan to restore her to exhibition standard. David Butterfield, from the British Phantom Aviation Group, said, “The British Phantom Aviation Group (BPAG) are extremely proud and honoured to participate with Phantom XV582 ‘Black Mike’ at the RAF Cosford Air Show 2018. Our hardworking, dedicated team of volunteers have shown outstanding knowledge, skills and aptitude to make the move from RAF Leuchars happen. We look forward to working with RAF Cosford over the coming months and we are certain that the aircraft will be a great attraction as part of the RAF100 static displays.”

Air Show Operations Manager, Mr Peter Reoch, said, “The Royal Air Force’s Phantoms played a critical role in defending the UK’s airspace during the height of the Cold War. Therefore, having an example of the type was essential as part of our RAF100 static exhibition at the Air Show on Sunday 10th June 2018. It will be the first of many aircraft which will be transported by road to RAF Cosford over the coming months specifically for display at the Air Show.”

Tickets for the Air Show, which is promising to be a spectacular and interactive tribute to the Royal Air Force’s centenary, are already on sale via the event’s website. Tickets will again only be available in advance, and are priced £25.00 per adult, with accompanied under-16s attending the Air Show for free, presenting excellent value for money."

[BPAG]

Official statement from BPAG.

"The British Phantom Aviation Group (BPAG) are extremely proud and honoured to be asked to participate in the RAF Cosford 100 Airshow with XV582 'Black Mike'. Since our inception in 2013, as a small band of enthusiasts, we have worked towards providing a future for the aircraft and last week's events would not have been possible without the contributions of various persons, all of whom deserve credit and thanks.

Firstly, the BPAG technical team, all of whom are hardworking, dedicated volunteers, have shown outstanding knowledge, skill and capability to overcome several huge challenges to make this project happen. While many of our volunteers are RAF veterans with considerable experience of Phantoms and other front line airframes, some have their background in other areas of engineering. It is this special combination of aptitude and expertise that has made the team so productive. With very little original ground servicing equipment available they have had to improvise and fabricate nearly all the special tooling required. In addition to this- and many other technical challenges- they have also had to contend with the issues of working a considerable distance from home and have sacrificed a great deal of their own free time for the benefit of the project.

We have also had the advantage of working in partnership with GJD Services, who have provided considerable support and resources throughout the project. We would like to thank the GJD team for the faith they have shown in the BPAG since their involvement with XV582 began and we are delighted that we have reached this milestone together.

Thanks also go to all the RAF100 Airshow team and all at RAF Cosford for inviting the aircraft and ourselves to share in their celebrations. Without the generous offer of shelter and working facilities, the short term future of 'Black Mike' would have been considerably more difficult.

Last, but not least, we would also like to thank those of you who have regularly donated funds to cover the purchase of equipment and other costs for the team. From single figures in 2013, the number of supporters has now grown to multiple thousands and, without the generosity that many of you have shown, we would not be where we are now. You can be justifiably proud of yourselves too.

Many thanks again to you all.

David Butterfield
Chairman BPAG".

[BPAG]

For those persons without access to social media, here are some of the highlights from last weeks' s events.

[paddyboy]

Wonderful to think she will get some proper TLC

Well done all of you

Paddyboy

[TeeJay]

Agree with Paddy, well done guys
Trev