Our last 2022 work day visit to Cosford took place on 22nd December after a break due to inclement weather. This visit was with a very heavy heart as we have been told to vacate our accomodation at RAF Cosford by the end of January 2023.
We understand that this a directive from on high and relates to all non-RAF utilisation of RAF property,it possibly applies to the other services as well.
As you can imagine this has come as a massive blow to us as the plan was for a move to take place in much slower time with a swan song at the RAF Cosford airshow in June. It is also not the best time of year to be planning a move like this!
As luck would have it we had only just sought a destination for our equipemt. We have now finalised that we shall be moving everything to a permenant home for public display at the Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum (RAFADRM) at Neatishead, Norfolk.
So, after Christmas work will continue in earnest to get everything ready for the move. Help has been offered and is appreciated. Rob Findlater will be managing the Neatishead end for us.
It is planned for there to be work days a week at Cosford; the usual Saturday and a week day. Help will certainly be needed for tasks that need at least two people such as refitting the T86 drawers, wheels and the two chillers being examples.
So the time last visit was taken up with measuring items ready for transportation. However, time was made for a lengthy LCP run and we are delighted to say that it remains fully serviceable.
RAFADRM does have a MK2 operational missile, launcher and servicing stand which we shall be joining up with. So our main aim to have the main elements of a complete system on display together will be realised. The missile was brought up to a good standard for display in London in February 2015.
There are two main stages to the move
We have to use a Hiab truck or crane to lift the aerials off the T86 mid January and place them in the aerial cage. We do not have an A Frame to remove the aerials but have the later U Beam which is bolted on to the aerial assembly. Photos below show the two main components, the Beam itself on the left and the Mounting Bracket (before being refurbished) on the right.
We would be very interested to hear from anyone out there with experience of using the U beam to lift the aerials off a T86. The reason for the U Beam was that the T86 aerials could not be removed using the original ‘A’ Frame when they were on a tower. The two photos below show the empty aerial cage and with the aerial ready to transport [Acknowleging Jim Sewell].
The move itself, end of January. The T86 cannot be towed as it isn’t road worthy these days so has to go on a low loader. It’ll be quite a convoy making the 200 mile journey from the cross-country trip from RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton to Neatishead, north east of Norwich. It will look something like the photo below which shows A Flt at RAF Bruggen, Germany in February 1983 for RAF Barkston Heath near Grantham, Lincolnshire.
[Acknowleging Jim Sewell]
We shall also be taking the Rapier FSC Launcher with six of the eight missiles with us.
As you can imagine a move like this is going to be a high cost and we shall be asking all our readers to chip in a bit to help us; this entire project has been privately funded by the team with no grants nor sponsorship. Details of how to contribute will be made available shortly.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2023 – we shall need it
From all the Bloodhound Missile Preservation Group team.
BMPG 