Black Mike saved!

[Flyingmonster]

Phantom FG.1 XV582 better known as 'Black Mike' and the first RAF F-4 to pass 5,000 flying hours has been saved after a huge campaign to save her

It is believed that aircraft will be transported to Bruntingthorpe with the ultimate aim of bringing the airframe up to ground running condition after being extensively refurbished - info taken from http://www.gofundme.com/Save-Black-Mike

Great news!

[NickB]

Great news indeed! Well done to all those involved.

Seems like only yesterday this a/c was doing the display circuit...

[TankBuster]

Excellent! I'd love to see that belting up the runway!

Any idea if the Wattisham museum got the Lightning?

TankBuster

[Vulcanone]

That is good news. Hopefully Wattisham Museum have some good news soon as well ??

Tim S

[chrisfg1]

Great news. Can't wait to see her again.

[Unknown74]

Now that it looks like Black Mike is heading South for Bruntingthorpe and not staying in Scotland all I can say is that this Phantom will never be forgotten like the Base it was at, great to hear it is going to a good home.

Would love to hear the same about the Lighting at Leuchars let's hope Wattisham are successful.

[XPLUMBER]

Good old David Walton and his cheque book, looking forward to seeing her again.

[GhostFlight91]

Fantastic news

[Rich H]

Great news, can't wait to see her thundering down the runway. Noise will be awesome!

[venom]

Magi c. News.
Colin

[Thunderbird167]

Good old David Walton and his cheque book, looking forward to seeing her again.

Unfortunately not.

If you want to see Black Mike at Bruntingthorpe you need to dig deep and contribute to the fund which is currently close to £30,000 short of the target to fund the purchase and move.

Only needs 3,000 of us Phantom Fans to contribute £10.00 each

My contribution is on the way

[TS010]

The LPG at Brunty have secured Lightning F3 XR713. It will not be going to Wattisham.
Info from the LPG facebook page.

[TankBuster]

The LPG at Brunty have secured Lightning F3 XR713. It will not be going to Wattisham.
Info from the LPG facebook page.

That's a bit of a kick in the nuts for Wattisham if this news is true, as the LPG have been supporting the Wattisham museum's fundraising efforts by advertising it on the LPG homepage!...

http://www.lightnings.org.uk/

UPDATE... I've seen over on UKAR that the Wattisham museum were unable to accept XR713 for some reason? LPG felt duty bound to continue with the purchase, so yes she will now be going to Brunty.


TankBuster

[Ghastly Whisper]

The LPG at Brunty have secured Lightning F3 XR713.

I hope shes taken apart for the move properly, shes the last F3 with uncut wings.

[TankBuster]

The LPG guys have safe hands, so I'm sure she will be taken apart properly, although I believe that the Lightning's wings can be a bit of a bu@@er to get off!


TankBuster

[Vulcanone]

And given that 713 has been outside for a fair number of years, its a fair bet it will be a bit of a bu**er

Tim S

[TeeJay]

Good news on both counts
Be great to see a Phantom at Brunty, and another Lightning too, bit of a pity it isn't going to Wattisham, but at least it will have a good home at LPG
Trev

[TankBuster]

Is there room in the LPG QRA shed for a third Lightning?
I know that the sheds were designed for two aircraft on QRA duties, but with a bit of a shuffle about could XR713 be kept in there out of the elements too?

TankBuster

[Unknown74]

Sorry to see none of these Aircraft are staying in Scotland but will try sometime to get a trip down to Bruntingthorpe to see the mighty Phantom Black Mike and the Lightning(s).............