At least one bid has been lodged from within a group of UK air enthusiasts to save an iconic aircraft which has been put up for sale at RAF Leuchars.
Sam Thompson, general secretary of the British F4 Phantom Aviation Group and Save XV582 Black Mike campaign, confirmed that a bid has been lodged from within the group to safeguard the plane’s future.
The Courier revealed on Saturday that the legendary phantom Black Mike, which helped defend Britain’s skies from Soviet incursions during the Cold War, is one of three former fast jets which have been put up for sale ahead of the closure of the base.
In February 1988, Phantom Fg1 XV582 more commonly known as Black Mike due to the special livery it was given upon retirement became the first RAF F4 to pass 5,000 flying hours.
At the same time, while attached to Leuchars’ 43 (F) Squadron, it undertook a record-breaking 590-mile run from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in 46 minutes and 44 seconds at an average speed of 757mph.
Now, the aircraft, which has been stored at RAF Leuchars for many years, has been put up for sale ahead of the base’s closure along with another Phantom FG1, which has stood as a gate guard, and a Lightning F3 which belonged to 111(F) Squadron.
RAF Leuchars has confirmed that the F3 Tornado gate guard is to remain at the base.
Mr Thompson told The Courier: “I can confirm that a bid has been lodged from within the British F4 Phantom Aviation Group and the Save XV582 Black Mike campaign the finer details of which are still being discussed and organised.
“With the bidding process being that of a closed bid I cannot divulge any finer details of our bid for obvious reasons.
“We would love to be successful in our bid but, if we are not, we would be happy as long as the Phantoms go to a good home.
“Somewhere that they can be viewed and enjoyed by all instead of being hidden away in a private collection.
“These phantoms are two of the very few complete examples of British Phantoms available in the UK.
“As a result we owe it to the air and ground crews who operated them as well as the future generations who learn about them to keep these examples available for years to come.”
Air enthusiast Gill Howie, of Arbroath-based Squadron Prints, is also keen for the former aircraft to be found a safe home.
She said: “I was so very sad to see this appear on the MoD Disposals site. At one point I wanted to get them to an active airfield, then get a hangar up and running and look after them with as much care and attention as I could along with others who love these aircraft and also make it a visitor attraction. So much aviation history in Scotland is forgotten and items get placed in storage never to be seen again.”