British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

[tc2324]

[tc2324]

Hi all,

With the kind permission of the FC admin team and suppport from the BPAG for allowing the use of their thread, I can now post some exciting news in that the 74(F) `Tiger` Squadron Association have launched a webstore selling 74 `Tiger` Squadron related merchandise.
All profits from the sales of any merchandise sold will go directly to the `Tiger360` fund in support of the restoration of our unique F-4J(UK) Phantom, ZE360.

New products and designs will be released next year and I can also confirm that some exciting artwork is being produced with a release date sometime within the first 6 months. (More on that in due course).

Click the following link to see whats on offer at present;

https://teespring.com/stores/74f-tiger360-webstore

https://flic.kr/p/2hNuEiNhttps://flic.kr/p/2hNyhtmhttps://flic.kr/p/2hNxhNR


And don`t forget to catch up on all ZE360 news on the Association website.

http://74sqdn.tk/ze360-restoration-page/

Thanks for looking and an advanced special thanks if you choose to buy something and therefore support the restoration effort.

[BPAG]

74 Squadron two-ship, during the 1980s. Our very own ZE360 in the rear. A good comparison of the original 'duck egg' blue colour scheme of the F-4J(UK) and the standard air defence grey.

[tc2324]

https://flic.kr/p/2hV2Ddr

Just a quick update and reminder regarding the Associations restoration page and webstore and letting you know that kids t-shirts, hoodies and a few other stocking fillers have been added.
So please take a look and HELP contribute to the fund raising effort.

http://74sqdn.tk/ze360-restoration-page/

https://teespring.com/stores/74f-tiger360-webstore

Thanks for looking and have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.


https://flic.kr/p/2hV3Quihttps://flic.kr/p/2hV2DUg

[BPAG]

A few selected images from the 74 Squadron Association archives of the British F-4J`s going through NARF (Naval Air Rework Facility) at NORIS (North Island) San Diego, California during the 1980s.

[BPAG]

A rare shot of XT597 in pre-Raspberry Ripple days. On show at RAF Coltishall on 15th May, 1982. Many thanks to Mark Taylor for supplying the pic.

[BPAG]

The British Phantom Aviation Group are pleased to announce our first confirmed events for 2020. XV490 will be appearing at two events at Newark Air Museum. Firstly- a new addition to the Newark calendar- is the Cold War Call Up, dedicated to remembering the years of the cold war. Secondly is the aircraft's annual appearance at Cockpit Fest. XV490's cockpit will be open for visits, the BPAG team will be in attendance, ready to chat and answer your questions and exclusive Phantom merchandise will be available. Hope to see you there!

[BPAG]

More shots of XT597 in the pre-Raspberry Ripple colours. Both taken at RAF Valley, ground shot 30/11/82 and approach shot 07/11/81. Many thanks to Steve Bond for the pics.



 

[BPAG]

Newark Air Museum have released more info on the Cold War Call Up event that the BPAG and XV490 will be attending on 16/17th May 2020. See here for details- http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Cold_War_Call_Up

[BPAG]

As the Christmas break will soon be upon us, the British Phantom Aviation Group would like to take a moment to send everyone our best wishes for the season. Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm during 2019. We will return in 2020, in what is shaping up to be busy and eventful year. Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year to all.

[tc2324]

Now that the Christmas break has passed, things are starting to move again regarding the ZE360 restoration planning, both in fundraising and actual movement of the airframe.

More on all that will be posted shortly, but in the meantime to wet your whistle, here`s a few more photo`s from the 74 Sqn archives regarding the refurbishment at NARF, (Naval Air Rework Facility) .

Pictures show `3783` (ZE352) and `5529` (ZE359) prior to and after their post refurbishment flights. (Note that `5529` can now be found in the American Air Museum at Duxford in it`s original VF-74 scheme).











Thanks for looking and more soon.

[MR TERRY GREEN]

Looking forward to receiving my 74 SQN hoodie.Great pictures.

[BPAG]

A couple of the Tiger 360 team attended Manston again on Monday, primarily to attend to other matters but the chaps were also able to put a couple of hours in on the airframe before the end of the day.

In order for disassembly to proceed, the outer wing sections will have to be removed. However, the wingfold system is hydraulic and the pins are still in place. Therefore, D101 L&R panels have to be removed in order to access the system, connect hydraulic power to withdraw the wing lock pins. Heavy corrosion of the panels unfortunately meant cutting into the wing instead. However, as the panels would have to be replaced with refabricated versions, this is of no concern. Opening the wing revealed the extent of the corrosion underneath.







Leading edge flap actuator access panel also removed. Again, serious corrosion underneath. Speedbrake lock and closure panels removed.







In conclusion- a useful and informative exercise and definitely time well spent, that has given us further insight into what we're up against.

On a brighter note, we have received approval from DFTDC Manston to move the aircraft from soft ground and onto an area of hardstanding. This is an important step toward dismantling as being on hard ground will allow us to bring in lifting gear to faciliate stabilator removal and- vitally- will give access underneath the fuselage for the engine removal kit. Once the engines are out, we will have access to the main wing spar.

Next step will be to prepare a movement plan and risk assessment. Then once the mainwheels are changed and nosewheels inflated, the aircraft should be ready to move. Many thanks to BPAG Chairman/Techical Director Paul Wright and Tony Clay from the 74 Squadron Association for their hard work.

[hawgwash]

Yikes! That cotrosion looks seriously bad. I wish you guys luck.

Matt

[The Phantom]

Some serious corrosion

Good luck to you all with your efforts

[Seahornet1]

Some serious corrosion

Good luck to you all with your efforts

You'd expect to find a fair few cadmium plated items in there, which will inevitably be contaminated with toxic corrosion products - I'd guess BPAG have the technical expertise on hand to assess and control such hazards, but it's worth pointing out to smaller groups and individuals that such health risks exist on poorly maintained old airframes.

[tc2324]

Just a heads up that after the January break, the restoration website has been updated with new information regarding ZE360 and her previous `life`. Of note is an air to air incident when she was better known as `5574` and serving with VF-101 `Grim Reapers` back in 1969.

http://74sqdn.tk/ze360-restoration-page/


The break has also allowed some of the merchandise designs to be updated on the fundraising Webstore so please feel free to take a look and see if something appeals to your inner Tiger.

https://teespring.com/stores/74f-tiger360-webstore

[andrewn]

Thanks for the regular updates - great work that the team are doing to save an important part of our aviation heritage

[BPAG]

Thanks for the regular updates - great work that the team are doing to save an important part of our aviation heritage

Many thanks Andrew. Hats off indeed to all the members and volunteers who give up their free time to help the restoration effort. We couldn't do this without them.

[BPAG]

The BPAG engineering team were at Manston again last weekend, continuing the work of preparing the airframe for towing onto firmer ground. This session was very much a battle against corrosion and seized parts. Also, due to rain and high winds, activities had to be curtailed around noon on Sunday. However, despite these issues, good progress was still made in three vital areas.

Outer wings- Both returned to folded positions using a combination of a handpump tapped into the hydraulic lines, penetrating fluid, 20 ton jack and brute strength manpower. Both wing sections are now ready to be progressed for removal next time.









Ailerons- Removal of dump masts is necessary to remove ailerons but again corrosion was an issue, forcing the decision to cut away masts as well as drilling out most screw heads. Hinge pin on LH eventually extracted and aileron removed. RH needs more persuading.





Fuselage panels- Removal of access panels started, in order to assess internal structure and to give eventual access to lateral control run and bypass ring areas to facilitate wing removal.







Finally, over the 20+ years that the aircraft has been at Manston, the undercarriage has sunk into the soft ground. With the main wheels needing to be changed before towing, the turf surrounding them was excavated to allow inspection and assessment. Wheels and brake packs currently refusing to separate so more work needed.





In conclusion, this was a difficult weekend. But as corrosion was predicted to be a hinderance at some point, it was not entirely unexpected. Resolving the outer wing situation is a major step forward and completion of work on the other areas was only prevented by the weather. Many thanks to the BPAG & 74SA members and volunteers who gave up their time and energies to further the cause. Thanks also to Nigel Hodgson, Tony Clay and John Kendal for the photos.

Extra manpower is always welcome on these occasions, so if you would like to volunteer to be part of any future BPAG work parties, please email BPAGvolunteers@gmail.com and tell us a little bit about yourself. Thank you in advance for your interest.