Save Black Mike

[Unknown74]

I reckon the Leuchars Community or Montrose Air Museum or any other Scottish Aviation Museum should bid to save the Phantom XV582 Black Mike when the RAF are forced to vacate Leuchars. Seeing as no Tornado F.3s (well apart from 2) were saved there should be at least one Aircraft Type from the 100 Years Leuchars has been with the Air Force.

[Flyingmonster]

You have a point there fella! But what about the F4 and F3 on the Gate and the 111 Lightning thats at the HAS site?

Anyone any ideas whats going to happen to them?

[ArabJazzie]

A quick check shows F3s ZE887 at Hendon, ZE934 at East Fortune, ZE966 at MOSI Manchester, ZE967 GG at Leuchars. There are also at least 3 active at Boscombe Down and some stored at Shawbury so there is still a chance more will see museums. But there are too many useful parts on them to escape Leeming.

As for Black Mike, well it was only painted that way for the end of the Phantom and there are plenty preserved around Britain and i think the Gate Guard Phantom should be the one for a museum. East Fortune has already lost several exhibits thanks to one aircraft, i would hate them to loose something else just to make space for for whats sitting at Leuchars.
Arabest,
Geoff.

[HunterF6]

Preserved F-4s in the UK are few and far between, mainly I believe due to treaty limitations. There's a 3rd at Leuchars not mentioned previous which is the one in the ex 43 sqn complex If these airframes were maybe given to the RAF museums then maybe they could be loaned out to others. Hate to say it but think best chance will be cockpit sections saved. .

[Thunder]

Is there not two F4's within the ex 43 Sqn area, plus BM and the gate guard? As for the Lightning.... what is the next Typhoon Sqn to form, 111 Sqn? I don't think I've seen it mentioned anywhere, but I would have thought from a historic point of view it would be, although I suppose 1(F) Sqn over rules that now. However if it is 111Sqn I would suspect that they re locate the Lightning to Lossiemouth when the form.

Hopefully the Lightning survives and at least 2 of the Phantoms.

[Unknown74]

I would love to see all preserved Leuchars Aircraft like the Lightning, Tornado F.3 and all Phantoms somehow survive. There have got to be some Museums willing to accomodate them.

[Bluetail]

Dont forget there is a precedent to retain an aircraft on display after the RAF have vacated, Bassingbourne still have a Canberra on display from its 231 OCU days, and that base is now Army occupied, it wouldnt surprise me if the Army want to retain at least some of the display frames, but I agree Black Mike should go somewhere...Inverness perhaps

[kstater94]

Is there not two F4's within the ex 43 Sqn area, plus BM and the gate guard? As for the Lightning.... what is the next Typhoon Sqn to form, 111 Sqn? I don't think I've seen it mentioned anywhere, but I would have thought from a historic point of view it would be, although I suppose 1(F) Sqn over rules that now. However if it is 111Sqn I would suspect that they re locate the Lightning to Lossiemouth when the form.

Hopefully the Lightning survives and at least 2 of the Phantoms.

*IF* another Typhoon squadron were to form, I agree that it would probably be 1 squadron. However, trying to get a clear definition from the MoD as to how you identify 5 Typhoons squadrons is difficult at best! Is that 3 front line squadron PLUS an OCU AND a trials squadron? If so, we've had our lot as 3, 6, and 11 are the frontline that we have, 29 being the OCU, and 17 the trials squadron. OR are we to actually believe that it WILL be 5 front line squadrons PLUS the OCU AND the Trials squadron? From listening to those more familiar with whats going on in the Typhoon community, it would seem that the former is more likely and that all the new build (ZK serial range/Tranche 3) jets coming out of Warton are simply going to replace the earlier Tranche of jets that are currently flying (which will be sold or scraped upon replacement)...

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread. Just wanted to address the question within the question

Cheers!

John

[Unknown74]

The 2 Special Tailed 734 and 791 should at least be preserved - at least the Tails should be anyway, don't know what state they're in down at Leeming.

[NAM Updater]

I wonder if you need an Export License to take them out of Scotland?

[Thunder]

In response to kstaters post.

There is at least one more front line squadron to formed up on the Typhoon, and hopefully with the Leuchars jets moving to Lossie they will try and keep the connection by allocating the 43 or 111 plate to it.

[kstater94]

In response to kstaters post.

There is at least one more front line squadron to formed up on the Typhoon, and hopefully with the Leuchars jets moving to Lossie they will try and keep the connection by allocating the 43 or 111 plate to it.

Thanks for that! As I said, this was info that someone else had conveyed to me. I certainly hope another squadron forms (or 2 squadrons for that matter!)

I know I'm being greedy in wishing THAT!

Cheers!

John

[onemac]

I wonder if you need an Export License to take them out of Scotland?

Really helpful statement that

I do hope all airframes currently used as gate guards or located at squadrons can be homed at museums or re-housed if their squadrons are stood up again.

Al

[NAM Updater]

was the intention!

........... I've already taken communications asking if we're going for it!

[Black Mike]

I need saving!

Sorry guys but my back garden is a bit small for an F4.

Mike