Phone Phixer

The Paveway II system did not have an active laser seeker sensor. It was purely passive, it required dropping into the reflected laser energy to then guide, not seek it out itself. The laser from the designator equipment, either ground mounted or from a Pavespike pod, would be reflected out in a cone shape. The LGB needed to be dropped into the cone, either from altitude or tossed into it. Once located, the guidance unit would correct the bombs flight when it reached the extremities of the cone. These changes obviously got more frequent as the LGB got closer to the target and the cone got narrower. Back in the 80's there was a cracking video on 237 (Bucc) OCU of a Paveway II LGB in flight, one of the nav's filmed through a Pavespike pod. 20 Sqn Tornado's had come to Lossie on detachment to drop LGB's on Garvie island. Several live Paveway II's were dropped, designated from the Buccaneers. Then they dropped some HES PW II's, designated by SBS in dingies. HES was a safety consideration due to the proximity of the SBS bobbing about in the sea. One of the OCU's Buccs flew along with one of these drops and the nav zoomed right on to the bomb and filmed it. Don't think the bombs flight is a smooth arc, it was zig zagging all the way down the cone. The control fins were constantly moving. Rob.

The grey matter a bit foggy on that one. Remind me what it was, I have a very vague inkling it was the sqn slag mag.

That turned out lovely, despite all your problems.

Well, I'm calling it that, because it was not as dark Oxford Blue as the ballast Sparrows or any other drill weapons. I'll agree, the bodies were a bit darker than 3kg or 28lb practice bombs. If it was supposed to be Oxford Blue it wasn't the official BS colour. https://www.airfighters.com/photo/25692/M/UK-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-Phantom-FGR2-F-4M/XT910/

FAA Phantom with aqui round. The body is the older colour of deep sax blue. I've no proof, but would have thought only one would be carried. Our Phantoms only flew with one.

No, I never met him. I finished on the Phantom in late 89, possibly around the time he arrived at Wildenrath. I was on 19(F), 2 ATAF's premier fighter squadron. He went to 92 hissing sid's motley crew sqn, so didn't know too many of them. I only knew Dave from Wildenrath motor sports club.

While digging through my photo archives for information on a thread, I came upon a set of aerial photo's. While I was down there on 23 Sqn, from May to Sept 1988, I handed my Olympus OM-1 to one of the nav's I knew from Wildenrath to get some shots of the islands. The crew were from 92 Sqn and were pilot F/Lt Ollie Barrett and nav F/O Dave McBryde. Dave went on to appear in a couple of TV series that can be found on Youtube, 29 Sqn Top Guns and Combat Pilot. These are some of what he took. Finally one I took showing the lovely August weather. I think we were preparing to wash the aircraft (don't ask)! Rob.

I feel your pain on the Aires cockpit, I'm working my way through that currently. I've no experience of the Aires engine nozzles, but I've read other threads that say they are too small in diameter. I got a set from Res Kit, they look stunning. Time will tell if they fit OK. I know it's looking far ahead, but some observations re the wing colours. There was a discussion many years ago on here. Those of us that worked on grey Phantoms, never noticed the medium sea grey area of the upper wings. What with all the muck and boot marks, it just merged in with the barley grey areas. On my 19(F) sqn build I just added a bit of darker grey to the barley grey for those areas. Rob.

Thanks for that. They look just like the ones used. The backing plates just need the angled bit cutting off. The plates we used were just flat metal sheets.

Hi Mark. Yes, they sound exactly like the set up on the inboards. Even the wedge is the same to direct the flares downwards. Do you have a link for the true details set. I'm interested. Rob.

Lovely Phantom, very nice work. Top marks for getting the missiles and their colours spot on White AIM-7 Sparrows and AIM-9G Sidewinders. For your grey Falklands bird light aircraft grey Skyflash and light ghost grey AIM-9L Sidewinders.

As I mentioned on your build thread, I'm doing the same as you. Currently slowly making a start. Mine is XV497 D from when I was down there in 1988. It still survives and has been re-painted in these colours. Currently located at the old RAF Bentwaters cold war museum. To answer your questions. 1, The SUU 23a gun pods could have either long or short rear fairings. They just came from the gun bay with what ever was in use. 2, It varied across the fleet with the red painted areas. Some were low viz pink, same as the pink in the roundels. Others still had full red paint in the areas. Time is making the memories dim, but I think all aux air doors and speed brake areas were full red. 3, Yes, all aircraft had the TESS periscope. 4, Only the rear canopy had the external mirror at the 12 o'clock position. Both canopies had 3 internal mirrors around the canopy frame. 5, The sargeant fletcher wing tanks were usually light aircraft grey on the pylon and undersides, barley grey on the uppers. As mentioned above, you could see lots of variations if sections had been replaced by the tank bay. If you fancy doing some scratch building, all the aircraft down the Falklands had AN/ALE 40 chaff & flare dispensers on the inboard pylons. Talking of the inboards, remove the MWA's (multi weapons adapters) from the lower surface. They were used for ground attack weapon fits, not air defence. Any other questions, give me a shout. Rob.

Lovely build and a nice collection.

Phantastic. Superb work.

Sorry, can't help with that one. I was posted from the OCU to 19(F) sqn in September 86, never saw 12 Sqn using pavespike at that time.

Great work. I like the weathering, worn but not looking ready for the scrap yard.

12 Sqn held the northern fort until June 83, when 208 moved up there. The OCU were the last to move in October 84. That was when I was posted from Honington Arm Eng Flt on to the OCU. Oh joy!

The pods were for N band radar warning receivers. Used by the FAA and in the early years of RAF use. They were removed when the much improved Skyguardian system was installed in the tail fin bullet fairing. So much better, that the RAFG crews suddenly were aware of all the radars locking on to them as they flew along the German border! 12 Sqn retained them, though. In the maritime role, they gave good information on ship transmission for attack bearings. The pods returned in the mid 80's with the avionics upgrade for Sea Eagle use. Not with the N band homing receivers, but with other bits of the new avionics suite.

Great start and very nice painted seats. I have the same (Revell) kit and due to be my next build. Just waiting on the arrival of the aftermarket bits I will be using. It's a coincidence that mine will be a 23 Sqn Falklands jet, from 1988, when I was down there on them. Look forward to more updates. Rob.

These seamless intakes are available from Sprue Brothers in the states. https://spruebrothers.com/gtr48038-1-48-gt-resin-british-phantom-fg-1-fgr-2-seamless-intake-set-has-kit/ They also do the 100 FI butt strap. I've just ordered a set for my next project. Rob.

How's that? A side view of flaps down.

Nice Bucc, great work. Yep, the wings were often folded, especially when put away in the hangar at night.

Flaps down when parked. https://m.facebook.com/aviationphotocompany/posts/raf-237-ocu-blackburn-buccaneer-s2-xv863cc-at-raf-lossiemouth-1985httpswwwaviati/2930792826989685/ Small picture, maybe you can pick out the wing tips too. Another one. https://www.airfighters.com/photo/69129/M/UK-Air-Force/Blackburn-Buccaneer-S-2B/XX899/ Rob.

My picture, taken at the RAF Alconbury air display 1983. Sorry it's the only view I have, none of any other directions. Obviously these were drill missiles for display. But they were AIM 9G's, live missiles are the same white colour. You are correct about the launchers, they would have been Lau 7a launchers. The curved edge would be towards the pylon and the flat side with the rails goes missile side. Sorry, I can't help with the other questions. Rob.

Fantastic work. Love it.