British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Discussions regarding historic aircraft, restoration and preservation etc
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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

Not only is 2018 the centenary of the RAF but it is also the 30th anniversary of one of its record setting achievements. On 24/02/1988 XV582 (in its pre-Black Mike guise with 43 Squadron) set a world record for the fastest time between John O'Groats and Land's End of 46 minutes and 44 seconds. On 12/08/2018 the British Phantom Aviation Group were proud to reunite the aircrew from that day- pilot W/Cdr John Brady and navigator Flt Lt Michael Pugh- with the aircraft for the first time since that day in 1988.

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

The British Phantom Aviation Group are pleased to announce the next event in our F-4 60th Anniversary celebrations. We will be taking Mike Davey's XV490 cockpit section to this year's North Lincolnshire Aviation Festival. Following the success of the first ever North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Festival in 2017, Skydive Hibaldstow and the Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Forum (in conjunction with North Lincs Council) are again hosting this event which takes place at Hibaldstow Airfield on Sunday 30th September. The event will celebrate and focus on the aviation history of the area, telling the story of Northern Lincolnshire’s heritage from World War One to the present day. Admission to the event is free. XV490 will be onsite and will be open for cockpit visits and BPAG members will be in attendance to chat and answer your questions. Exclusive Phantom merchandise will also be available. Hope to see you there!

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NAM Updater
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by NAM Updater »

Do you have any idea when you're planning to collect it from Newark?

Just wondering, as I wasn't aware that it was due off site again this year. :dunno:
Howard Heeley - Newark Air Museum Trustee
Every museum visit counts!
http://newarkairmuseum.org

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

NAM Updater wrote:Do you have any idea when you're planning to collect it from Newark? Just wondering, as I wasn't aware that it was due off site again this year. :dunno:


Hello Howard,

I have PM'd you.

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NAM Updater
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by NAM Updater »

Thank you for that and I have replied. :up:
Howard Heeley - Newark Air Museum Trustee
Every museum visit counts!
http://newarkairmuseum.org

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

The British Phantom Aviation Group are pleased to announce that joining our team for this weekend's North Lincs Aviation Festival will be former RAF Squadron Leader Michael Pugh-Davies. On February 24th 1988, Michael was one half of the aircrew that set the World Speed Record for the run between John O'Groats and Land's End. The aircraft in question that day was Phantom FG.1 XV582- now better known as 'Black Mike'. However, this weekend Michael will be in the company of XV490, conducting cockpit visits and will also be on hand to chat and answer your questions. So, for your chance to meet a genuine RAF legend, make your way to Hibaldstow Airfield, Lincolnshire, this coming Sunday 30th September. Admission is free.

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

The British Phantom Aviation Group are pleased to announce that our online store is now open. Exclusive Phantom merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, caps, stickers and more are now available to order. The BPAG is a totally volunteer run organisation, so every penny of profit goes to fund our projects and activities and will help us plan for the future. Many thanks to everyone for their support and happy shopping to you all!

http://british-phantom-aviation-group.myshopwired.com/

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Pat Murphy
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by Pat Murphy »

Not heard anything about '582 moving from Cosford. Is it still there? Is it moving anytime soon? If it is still there, is it viewable?

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

Pat Murphy wrote:Not heard anything about '582 moving from Cosford. Is it still there? Is it moving anytime soon? If it is still there, is it viewable?


Moving later this month. Official statement coming later this week, standby.

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

Phantom XV582 to move to St Athan

The British Phantom Aviation Group (BPAG) in partnership with GJD Services are delighted to announce the latest development in the life of Phantom FG-1 XV582 'Black Mike'.

One year after arriving at RAF Cosford and following its successful and popular appearance at the RAF100 celebration at the 2018 Cosford Airshow, 'Black Mike' is moving on again. The destination this time being St Athan, South Wales.

XV582 was purchased from the MoD by Gary Spoors, owner of GJD Services, during 2016 and has since been managed by the BPAG, who performed the complex task of removing the aircraft from RAF Leuchars and restoring it for temporary display. However, with the tenure at RAF Cosford now at an end, the aircraft must relocate for the restoration work to be able to continue.

Paul Wright, Chairman of the BPAG commented-
"The facilities that GJD have at St Athan are the ideal environment for this to take place and we are looking forward to starting work at the earliest possible opportunity. At an appropriate point during the restoration we would love people to come and see what we've been up to. This will, however, be subject to the health & safety situation onsite and be at the owner's discretion. So, watch this space"

Dismantling of the aircraft began at RAF Cosford over the weekend 6/7th October and the move is due to be complete before the end of the month.

In the meantime if you wish to be involved or would like to support the BPAG in any way, please feel free to contact britishphantomaviationgroup@gmail.com.


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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

21/10/2018- XV582 'Black Mike' at RAF Cosford. Fuselage and wing split, stabilator and tailcone removed and ready for transportation. Next stop- St Athan.

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frank
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by frank »

Once restore to exhibition standard, what is the ultimate fate of Black Mike. Will it be displayed in a museum or kept at St Athan

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Abbo46
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by Abbo46 »

A museum type exhibition is being open at St Athan, with a number of aircraft.

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

frank wrote:Once restore to exhibition standard, what is the ultimate fate of Black Mike. Will it be displayed in a museum or kept at St Athan


The long term future of the aircraft has yet to be decided. It is moving to St Athan so the restoration work can continue (the facility at St Athan belongs to the aircraft's current owner, Gary Spoors). This work will naturally take some time. During this process, options for the future should become clear.

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

A statement from the chairman of the British Phantom Aviation Group re: XV582 ‘Black Mike’

"It is with great sadness and regret that I have to announce that the British Phantom Aviation Group (BPAG) will be ending its involvement with the XV582 ‘Black Mike’ project for the foreseeable future. This will be effective immediately.

In 2016, the aircraft was purchased by GJD Services with the explicit understanding that it was on behalf of the BPAG and that once the group had repaid its debt, the aircraft would become group property.

All of the work, fundraising and PR associated with ‘Black Mike’ since that date has been predicated on that understanding, which has appeared in print and online on many occasions and has been confirmed by GJD Services in several communications.

Despite the BPAG having the necessary funding in place since early this year, GJD have unilaterally changed this arrangement and on 7th November 2018, I was informed- in no uncertain terms- that the aircraft would not be transferred to BPAG, as previously agreed.

I would like to extend our apologies to those volunteers and supporters who have worked thousands of hours and given thousands of pounds in the belief that the aircraft would be owned by the group and not a private individual. This current situation is not the future you were investing in. It is not of our making and it would appear that there is little we can do to change it.

For now, the BPAG will be looking ahead to focus on our ongoing work with XV490 and fulfilling our wider remit of preserving other F-4 airframes in the UK. Details of these plans will be forthcoming at the appropriate time.

Paul Wright (Chairman)
British Phantom Aviation Group"

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Pat Murphy
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by Pat Murphy »

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. So the next question is....What happened to said monies? :sad:

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

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Pat Murphy wrote:Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. So the next question is....What happened to said monies? :sad:


All monies raised and spent by the organization have been in direct support of the group's efforts to save XV582. We are happy to list the areas in which these private donations as well as the profit on the merchandise has been spent. Incidentally, the core group members have spent many thousands of pounds of their own money on this project, with no intention or expectation of ever being reimbursed.

robterry99
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by robterry99 »

BPAG wrote:All monies raised and spent by the organization have been in direct support of the group's efforts to save XV582. We are happy to list the areas in which these private donations as well as the profit on the merchandise has been spent.


Sure.

But what about "the necessary funding in place since early this year" - was that made up from the monies raised too? If so, where is it now?

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BPAG
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by BPAG »

robterry99 wrote:But what about "the necessary funding in place since early this year" - was that made up from the monies raised too? If so, where is it now?


No. That substantial amount was pledged by a group of investors, lead by a senior member of the BPAG committee.

We wish we could raise that kind of amount through donations only. It would make preservation attempts hell of a lot easier.

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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by Pat Murphy »

BPAG wrote:
robterry99 wrote:But what about "the necessary funding in place since early this year" - was that made up from the monies raised too? If so, where is it now?


No. That substantial amount was pledged by a group of investors, lead by a senior member of the BPAG committee.

We wish we could raise that kind of amount through donations only. It would make preservation attempts hell of a lot easier.


Ok BPAG, please accept that my comments were made in genuine curiosity and not out of malice or mischief. If the investors were ready and in place yet denied the option to buy 582 for BPAG, why has the sale been denied? Were any legal documents in place, or was it a general "understanding" as opposed to a contract? Seems a pity that a group of, obviously well intentioned, supporters and volunteers have come to this point. :sad:

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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

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Pat Murphy wrote:Ok BPAG, please accept that my comments were made in genuine curiosity and not out of malice or mischief.


No offence taken whatsoever. A perfectly reasonable question- the statement isn't clear on that point.

Pat Murphy wrote: If the investors were ready and in place yet denied the option to buy 582 for BPAG, why has the sale been denied?


That question can only be answered accurately by GJD themselves, unfortunately.

Pat Murphy wrote:Were any legal documents in place, or was it a general "understanding" as opposed to a contract? Seems a pity that a group of, obviously well intentioned, supporters and volunteers have come to this point. :sad:


It is a pity, I agree. The only thing left for us to do in our current situation is simply telling it like it is. And no- there are no legal documents in the accepted sense- all our work and expenditure was done in good faith.

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tc2324
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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by tc2324 »

Evening all.

Posting this update on behalf of the BPAG and the 74(F) Tiger Squadron Association and I think it best if I let the following photo taken from the September issue of Flypast Magazine do the talking ........


Imagehttps://flic.kr/p/2gLpFYF


Watch this space for more updates and information on this restoration project.

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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by FGR2 »

Was wondering whether anyone was going to save this one. Will be watching with interest.

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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by iainpeden »

Good luck. It'll be an interesting challenge to get her back to the original gray/blue/green she was delivered in.
(Mark Twain: There are lies, there are damn lies and then there are statistics)

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Re: British Phantom Aviation Group (Official Topic)

Post by Stagger2 »

BPAG wrote:
Pat Murphy wrote:
Pat Murphy wrote:Were any legal documents in place, or was it a general "understanding" as opposed to a contract? Seems a pity that a group of, obviously well intentioned, supporters and volunteers have come to this point. :sad:


It is a pity, I agree. The only thing left for us to do in our current situation is simply telling it like it is. And no- there are no legal documents in the accepted sense (Edit)- all our work and expenditure was done in good faith.


Have you consulted a specialist Solicitor in this respect? Any 'memorandum of understanding' or 'contemporaneous notes' demonstrating such an Agreement as you ascribe AND duly referred to in any Minutes of the Meeting could hold Legal weight in any potential Ownership Claim or Agreed Options for Transfer of Ownership. :dunno:
Speaking frankly & without full knowledge of your discussions to date, it would seem BPAG are being overtly hasty in conceding defeat on this issue? :surrender:
PS:- I'm sure you now realise this, but there is no place in the litigious society of this millennium for 'handshakes & faith' clauses. They no longer count for shight!

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