British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

[Steve Bond]

I photographed it twice in that scheme at Valley in 1981 and '82. If I knew how to post photos here I would do so.

[BPAG]

I photographed it twice in that scheme at Valley in 1981 and '82. If I knew how to post photos here I would do so.

Hi Steve. If you'd like to send them to us we will post them for you if you like. We will add a credit if they are not watermarked.

Feel free to PM them to us on here or email them to BPAGinfo@gmail.com

[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).


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

https://flic.kr/p/2igJfG9

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

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


Thanks for looking and more soon.

[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/Technical Director Paul Wright and Tony Clay from the 74 Squadron Association for their hard work.

[tc2324]

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


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


https://flic.kr/p/2ikn4gBhttps://flic.kr/p/2ikpv7yhttps://flic.kr/p/2ikRXNo

[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.

[Blue_2]

You know... under the skin she actually doesn't look too bad!

[BPAG]

You know... under the skin she actually doesn't look too bad!

Indeed. Its very encouraging. Getting under the damn skin is taking some effort at the moment though!

[Domvickery]

Good update, whats the plan for towing her, do you have tracks or going over the grass?

[BPAG]

Good update, whats the plan for towing her, do you have tracks or going over the grass?

As far as the PR department understand it, outer wing, ailerons, CL tank and stabilator will be removed to reduce the towing weight. The plan is to use sections of alloy trackway to form a temporary surface between the aircraft's current location on soft ground and the edge of the fire pan where the hard surface starts. This is distance of roughly 60 metres. One of our volunteers has contacts in the event industry and is hopefully in a position to obtain temporary use of trackway on a donation basis (or favourable rates).



Once we are on hard ground it should be a straight forward tow to an area that has already been reserved for us to carry on with the disassembly. There are probably a ton of technical details involved that I'm not aware of (or would understand) but the engineers are on top of all that. This is the basic plan though.

[BPAG]

A useful recent discovery under the skin of ZE360- an untouched section of the original blue paintwork. Should come in handy for colour matching.

[Mike]

When was it painted blue?

[BPAG]

When was it painted blue?

When the Js were first delivered from the US, they arrived painted in an odd shade of blue. Depending on which story you believe, this was either due to the Americans inability to mix the required shade of grey, the unavailability of materials that would allow the correct mix of grey or the fact that the primer showing through the overcoat gave it a blue tinge. See this recently found pic for a comparison.



Some of the J fleet (including ZE360) were only refinished in the standard UK air defence grey in the final couple of years or so of their service.

[CJS]

Good update, whats the plan for towing her, do you have tracks or going over the grass?

As far as the PR department understand it, outer wing, ailerons, CL tank and stabilator will be removed to reduce the towing weight. The plan is to use sections of alloy trackway to form a temporary surface between the aircraft's current location on soft ground and the edge of the fire pan where the hard surface starts. This is distance of roughly 60 metres. One of our volunteers has contacts in the event industry and is hopefully in a position to obtain temporary use of trackway on a donation basis (or favourable rates).



Once we are on hard ground it should be a straight forward tow to an area that has already been reserved for us to carry on with the disassembly. There are probably a ton of technical details involved that I'm not aware of (or would understand) but the engineers are on top of all that. This is the basic plan though.

Is that another Phantom (is significantly worse repair!) just to the right? Great to see these detailed updates

[BPAG]

Is that another Phantom (is significantly worse repair!) just to the right?

Yes, that is poor old XV411. This is how she looked last weekend.

Great to see these detailed updates

Many thanks. We are glad you are finding them of interest. Lots more to come, stay tuned.

[CJS]

That'll buff out

Keep up the good work

[baz1962]

Good job lads. Corrosion is a bitch, sometimes in plain sight but sometimes hidden waiting to disappoint! Regarding the blue colour there was an article about this in either Aeroplane Monthly or Flypast. And all the aircraft had varying shades of this blue colour. Must have been a sight with them all lined up!

[peter]

A long road ahead, but at least she is in good hands now!

[BPAG]

Another busy couple of days at Manston recently. BPAG and 74 Sqn Association volunteers made more progress with ongoing issues and an important step forward.



Side panel removal is continuing successfully, despite corroded fasteners eating through drill bits in a matter of minutes and the tailcone is now also partially disassembled.





The RH aileron finally gave up its fight to stay in place and was removed and we have gained access to the leading edge flap actuators on both sides.




However, the biggest achievement of the weekend, which simultaneously gave us a milestone moment and an end to a major area of concern, was the replacement of both mainwheels. Using a custom built puller fabricated by the BPAG, the LH was the easiest of the two to remove, exposing the brake pack (which is free enough for towing purposes but will need cleaning and restoring later) pressure plate and bearing, which is turning nicely. RH wheel put up more resistance and had to be forced free with old fashioned muscle power. RH brake pack seized unfortunately so had to be disassembled for further attention. RH bearing also turning OK but will need around 10 new rollers due to damage from water ingress.






With the main wheel replacement taking priority, the outer wing and CL tank removal had to be left for another time. This was a price worth paying though, as resolution of the wheel issue has removed what could have potentially been either a serious hinderance to the restoration effort or, in the worst case, put it in jeopardy entirely. We are all collectively breathing a sigh of relief. Many thanks to all our volunteers for giving up their weekend to further the cause. Thanks also to Tony Clay & Nigel Hodgson for the photos.

Finally, needless to say, all this activity unfortunately comes at a price. Our volunteers are generous enough to meet their own expenses and provide their own tools and materials but the aircraft still requires parts, equipment and resources that we will have to provide. So, this is a general appeal for support. The BPAG and the 74 Sqn Association would be extremely grateful if you would consider donating funds to the ZE360 Restoration Fund. Any amount, however small, will be much appreciated and will really make a difference. You can donate via bank transfer to the following-
Account Name – Tiger360
Sort Code – 30-96-26
Acct. Number – 53212368
Alternatively, donations can be sent via PayPal to the BPAG merchandise address- phantomerchandise@outlook.com Please include a note that your donation is for ZE360.

We have reached a landmark point now that the main wheels are changed and with your support, we can reach the next one and be closer to moving the aircraft to safety. You are all as much a part of this as we are. Thank you.

[BPAG]

This month's issue of Aeroplane magazine has a four page article on ZE360, how the preservation effort came about and the progress so far, written by our colleague from the 74 Squadron Association, Tony Clay. In the shops now.

[Malcolm McKay]

Oh that is impressive work. Keep up the fine job you are doing.