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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 veteran, make your way to Hibaldstow Airfield, Lincolnshire, this coming Sunday 30th September. Admission is free.

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!

As well as being the centenary of the RAF, 2018 is also the 30th anniversary of one of its record setting achievements. On February 24th 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. 30 years on from this achievement, the British Phantom Aviation Group (BPAG) reunited the aircrew from that day with the aircraft in order to celebrate this anniversary. This event took place at RAF Cosford on 12th August 2018.

Paul Wright, Chairman of the BPAG, commented- “We are proud and happy to finally bring back together XV582, pilot John Brady and navigator Michael Pugh for the first time since their record setting flight, over 30 years ago. To hear their recollections and stories of that day first hand was truly wonderful and inspiring. Today’s event is made more poignant as it takes place during a year that has seen the aircraft displayed to the public once again and its future secured. We would like to thank RAF Cosford and, in particular, WO Steve Brown for providing us with the facilities to host today’s event, which will be the final appearance of the aircraft at Cosford before it moves to a new home”

60 years ago today, on 27th May 1958, the F-4 Phantom II prototype (XF4H-1 BuNo 142259) took its maiden flight from the McDonnell facility at Lambert Field, St Louis, USA. In order to celebrate this anniversary, the British Phantom Aviation Group are proud to announce that we will be taking XV490, our Phantom FGR.2 cockpit section, out on the road.

We will be attending various events over the summer period, with opportunities for cockpit visits as well as a chance to meet and chat with ex-F4 aircrew and groundcrew members. Exclusive Phantom merchandise will also be available at all events. The first batch of dates are now confirmed and there will be more to come.

We look forward to meeting many of you over the summer.