Phantom FGR.2 canopy thing

[Schffrs]

(I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for my question, but if not I will be told, I guess)
Recently I discovered a funny thing about Phantom FGR.2's 'middle canopy': some have this part of the canopy as a window, but others have it in solid metal with a periscope or something like that poking through.

XV430, October 1982:


XV480, July 1985:


Can anyone tell me the background of these different versions?

Cheers,
Rob

[frank kramer]

The periscope was a port side modification made somewhere early in the eighties. If you google using the tag FGR.2 periscope, you’ll find a detailed drawing on britmodeller.com

[Schffrs]

Hi Frank, thanks for your reply. And thank you for mentioning britmodeller.com! As a matter of fact, I came across this difference in canopy versions when examining the manual of the Airfix 1:72 scale model of the Phantom FGR.2 I am about to build. I didn't know britmodeller.com, it's a welcome additional site!

Cheerio,
Rob

[frank kramer]

You're welcome! I use their site a lot for matters regarding British military scale modelling. They have build-sections, kit-reviews and a hilarious "rumourmonger" section where people share their views on what kits they would like to see produced... regardless of the odds that some of the more "wild" suggestions will actually ever happen... And, of course, good luck with the build!

[BPAG]

This is the Telescopic Sighting System (or TESS). Our associate Dave Gledhill has a good basic overview of it on his website-

https://www.david-gledhill.co.uk/the-phantom/tess/

[Schffrs]

Great BPAG, thanks a lot! Useful pictures there.

Cheerio,
Rob