Transportation of all the BMPG equipment from Cosford to RAFADRM Neatishead was completed by Shebdon of Telford within the short time allowed to us by RAF Cosford. The carpark was to be its initial location until concrete pads were constructed.
Once the pads were completed the next task was to transfer the LCP, T86 and Rapier FSC Launcher to their positions for display.
Recommissioning started on 24th March 2023
A job well done by Blakes Self Loading Vehicles Ltd of Wensum Lodge, Taverham Lane, Norwich NR8 5BE.
With the LCP we were first presented with an intermittent fault seen on the Engagment Controller’s display (far right) the LCP.
Once this was rectified thanks to DeoxIT Gold on some circuit board contacts the Simulator was, once again, up and running as it was at Cosford. It had survived the journey well.
The Bloodhound Mk2 Operational Missile Serial No 4574, belonging to RAFADRM, is looking superb in original white paint livery.
Here are some additional external photographs of the installation.
Refitting the tail lights to the T86 Radar
Our T86 Radar and the FAC Rapier Launcher
The Missile and Launch Control Post
Another of the Missile and Launch Control Post
Missile and T86 Radar
So we have achieved our objective when we embarked on this restoration project of getting a representative collection of Bloodhound Mk 2 Missile Sytem equipment on public display.
It was very unfortunate that completion of the transfer had to be so rushed but this was totally out of our control having been dictated to us by an edict to remove the kit from Cosford. This has meant that, when RAFADRM, Neatishead re-open on 4th April, the system will be on static display but the LCP Simulator will not be running as there has been zero time to train the current volunteers how to operate the system.
If anyone in the locality, who worked on the Mk2 LCP with both the necessary experience, would like to help out by stepping up to assist we would be most grateful.
The BMPG Team
[Photographs from Mike Strange, Rob Findlater and Pete Murray]
BMPG 