The 'Black Mike' night shoot
238 Squadron / 1 SoTT
RAF Cosford
March 8, 2018 |
Phantom FG.1 (XV582 'M') in 111 Squadron markings it is better known as 'Black Mike' is arguably the most famous RAF Phantom. She holds the record for the fastest flight from Land’s End to John O'Groats, completed in just 46 minutes and 44 seconds.
Last flown in 1992, the aircraft was retained as a Battle Damage Repair Training and station mascot airframe at RAF Leuchars. When the base closed in 2013, XV582 faced scrapping, but determined efforts by several groups, including the British Phantom Aviation Group, ensured she was saved for preservation.
In 2017 the Phantom was dismantled and transported by road to RAF Cosford, where she starred in the RAF Cosford Airshow in 2018 marking the Royal Air Force’s centenary. Later that year she was moved to the South Wales Aviation Museum maintained by their team of volunteers. |
| Left to right: Phantom FG.1 (XV582 'M') in 111 Squadron markings it is better known as 'Black Mike'. On February 24, 1988 XV582, set a world record for the fastest time between John O'Groats and Land's End. A time of 46 minutes and 44 seconds at an average speed of 772.19 mph. |
| Left to right: Phantom FG.1 (XV582 'M') in 111 Squadron markings. |
| Jaguar T.2 (XX837 'Z' and 8978M) formally with 226 OCU. |
| Left to right: Jaguar T.2 (XX837 'Z' and 8978M) formally with 226 OCU. |
| Left to right: Jaguar GR.3A (XX119 'AI') aka 'Spotty'. |
Left to right: Harrier T.4 (XW175) - Vectored thrust Aircraft Advanced Control (VAAC), Advanced Control Technology.
Sea Harrier F/A.2 (ZH796 'L-001') in its former 801 Naval Air Squadron markings. |
| Left to right: Jaguar T.2A (XX141 'T') |
| Left to right: Harrier GR.3 (XZ991 '07'). |
| Left to right: Harrier GR.3 (XZ991 '07'). |
| Left to right: Harrier GR.3 (XZ991 '07'). |
| Left to right: Westland Wessex HC.2 (XR498). |
| Left to right: Jaguar T.2B (XX833) previously with QinetiQ. |
| Left to right: Hawk T.1 (XX335 '335') in 208(R) Squadron markings. |
| Jaguar GR.3A (XX117 'ES') in 6 Squadron markings. |
| Left to right: Jaguar GR.3A (XX117 'ES') in 6 Squadron markings with Jaguar GR.3A (XX725 'KC-F') in Operation GRANBY desert pink, aka 'Sandy'. |
| Left to right: Jaguar GR.3A (XX725 'KC-F') in Operation GRANBY desert pink, aka 'Sandy'. |
