Blast from the past

[Dr Jekyll]

Normally reliable sources indicate that UK military serial XK848 has just been allocated to, of all things, an F4 Phantom.

Apparently joining the Hawker Hunter aviation fleet as one of the civil owned military operated aircraft for military contracts. Mind you they already have a Buccaneer and an SU22 that they haven't used yet so don't hold your breath.

[Eric Mc]

That should have gone on something like a Supermarine Swift.

[aeropilot]

Dr Jekyll said:

Normally reliable sources indicate that UK military serial XK848 has just been allocated to, of all things, an F4 Phantom.

Apparently joining the Hawker Hunter aviation fleet as one of the civil owned military operated aircraft for military contracts. Mind you they already have a Buccaneer and an SU22 that they haven't used yet so don't hold your breath.

Old news....gained it's new mil serial back in Oct 2015.

And it's new serial is actually, ZK848 not XK848

This is an ex-GAF F-4 ( was 38+48 in GAF service) and I believe there is a 'contract requirement' for this hence why they are doing it, unlike the Bucc etc., where there is no contract requirement for that type of a/c.

[Eric Mc]

Although XK848 was never used, it looks like it would have been in a block allocated to this aircraft - which was never built -

[Yertis]

aeropilot said:

Old news....gained it's new mil serial back in Oct 2015.

And it's new serial is actually, ZK848 not XK848

This is an ex-GAF F-4 ( was 38+48 in GAF service) and I believe there is a 'contract requirement' for this hence why they are doing it, unlike the Bucc etc., where there is no contract requirement for that type of a/c.

Does this mean we might see an F4 in British skies again?

[aeropilot]

Yertis said:

Does this mean we might see an F4 in British skies again?

Yes.

Just don't expect it at any air displays though.

[Yertis]

aeropilot said:

Yes.

Just don't expect it at any air displays though.

Why not?

Also, I didn't know civilians were allowed to operate jets as complex as the F4 – do these guys have an exemption?

[aeropilot]

Yertis said:

aeropilot said:

Yes.

Just don't expect it at any air displays though.

Why not?

Also, I didn't know civilians were allowed to operate jets as complex as the F4 – do these guys have an exemption?

The contract with the MOD will specifically exclude display work - just as it does for the PFI stuff for the RAF such as the new Hawks and the tankers etc.

If the organisation satisfies the requirements for COMA ops then there is no problem.....again, this is not the same as the rules required by the CAA for air display's on a Permit to Fly basis.

[Boatbuoy]

aeropilot said:

The contract with the MOD will specifically exclude display work - just as it does for the PFI stuff for the RAF such as the new Hawks and the tankers etc.

Errrr, I'm pretty sure I saw a pair of Hawk T2's at Bournemouth Air Festival last summer. It was a 'Role Demonstration' as opposed to a 'display', is that the get around?

While I'm here, the Hunters that HHA operate for the MOD, are they exempt from the current post Shoreham fleet grounding?

[aeropilot]

Boatbuoy said:

Errrr, I'm pretty sure I saw a pair of Hawk T2's at Bournemouth Air Festival last summer. It was a 'Role Demonstration' as opposed to a 'display', is that the get around?

Very possibly.

Boatbuoy said:

While I'm here, the Hunters that HHA operate for the MOD, are they exempt from the current post Shoreham fleet grounding?

Yes, they are on military serials, and flown under COMO regs, not CAA permit to Fly.

[Hooli]

Eric Mc said:

Although XK848 was never used, it looks like it would have been in a block allocated to this aircraft - which was never built -

What was that Eric? it looks very 50's & cool.

[Eric Mc]

The Vickers Swallow - designed by Sir Barnes Wallis. It was never built.

Some interesting film -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O821qwww3Jc

Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 9th February 13:14