Newark A1 Lightning

[sangiovese.]

Sadly the graffiti covered Lightning that sat forlornly in the scrapyard next to the A1 for years has finally gone. I'm guessing it was for scrap unless there were any bits left....another bit of history gone

:(

[Archimedes]

ISTR reading somewhere that what was left of the nose section/cockpit has been rescued and will be restored to former glories - but the rest of the aircraft has been scrapped.

[Kluseau]

Not sure if I'm sorry for the presumed loss of XN728, or grateful that the grotesque indignity perpetrated on an aircraft that deserved much better has finally come to an end.

[peppermint_jam]

Cockpit has been saved for restoration, there's a thread on keypublishing mate.

[jamesdevice]

last time I looked there was a Lighning still in the back garden of a house in Spark Bridge, south Cumbria (near Ulverston)
Theres also a nose / cab section from something else there - possibly a Hunter - though wrapped up.

[scarecrow450]

The Swift is still there, outside the garden centre

Demobbed - Out of Service British Military Aircraft (http://www.demobbed.org.uk/image_view.php?a=6782&s=wk275.jpg)

[ImageGear]

last time I looked there was a Lighning still in the back garden of a house in Spark Bridge.

..is here... 54°15'9.35"N 3° 3'56.38"W

[jamesdevice]

its actually a bit further south on the road going down past the river at
54°15'9.17"N 3° 3'56.62"W, in the back garden - though not shown on the Google Earth imagery

Googling for it brings up a picture on Thunder and Lightnings of it in his garden -XM172
The tarpaulined cockpit turns out to be XS922

I tried posting links, but it appears the Forum software deliberately corrupts links to Thunder & Lightnings

[ShyTorque]

Another Lightning here on Google Earth:

N 50 24.976 W 04 23.717

[Could be the last?]

There is/was one kept by a farmer between Waltham and Cleethorpes, not far from Hewitts Circus and close to what was RAF Grimsby. As I recall it was an odd colour (Maroon), but appeared to be in very good condition, as it had a 'Shed' of its own. I would imagine with the farm being is such close proximity to Binbrook, the farmer 'rescued' it when the base was shut down.

53.535411 0.058408

Binbrook
53.444339,-0.199234

I would have thought the A1 lightning would have been the perfect restoration project for the JOs on 5(AC) Sqn, or have they found one already?

[Wander00]

CBTI - I seem to recall a farmer out that way who also owned the village pub. He was very hospitable to the Binrook community

[Could be the last?]

That 'community' has changed beyond all recognition........

[NutLoose]

JENKINS (http://www.pprune.org/members/44897-jenkins)

Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Chicken Run
Posts: 8


Good fun as No.2 in a low level pair to call that Lightning as a contact, albeit years after the demise of the beast, and watch the slight wobble from the lead. Another "goodie" is the Woodford Vulcan when called as a contact to the other pilot in a multi-crew aircraft, with the rider when rebuked that I had called correctly with all but the fact that the Vulcan was on the ground.

Is the Swift in Herefordshire extant? The Hunter on the A17 came too late for me at low level, but sometimes raised a smile when operating at Norwich. Jet Provost at Lulsgate, the list grows. Even Elgin has a beast close to the road.


The Swift is being offered for sale at seriously silly money, and it has had it's price halved from it's original listing, what a shame for such an historic aircraft.

Supermarine Swift (F Mk.4/ wk275) Aircraft, Historic Piece. Restorers Dream! | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Supermarine-Swift-F-Mk-4-wk275-Aircraft-Historic-Piece-Restorers-Dream-/300608677166?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item45fdac652e)


http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$(KGrHqV,!g0E5oJWIreCBOkvzqKgrg~~60_3.JPG

[peppermint_jam]

Half a million? I think the owner must be dreaming. Worth 5-10 k max in my opinion. It's rotten. Shame to see it in that state.

[peppermint_jam]

CBTL, I think the one that used to reside close to RAF Grimsby was the one that V (AC) Sqn had loaned to them.

[Could be the last?]

I had wondered why I hadn't seen it for a while. I think the chap who owned it kept it 'serviceable' in as much as the engines could still be started etc, but don't quote me!

[AR1]

Used to see the remnants of a twin boom jet parked at a farm when cycling on the bridle way from Avebury to Yatesbury - about '94 ish. Dont know if its still there.

[ZH875]

Description
This is the only complete WK275 (F Mk.4) in existence to our knowledge,

Nice to know that there is only one WK275 in existence. :E

[crackling jet]

Jenkins, Yes the Jet Provost is still near Bristol - Lulsgate, however looking a bit green with algea growth now.

[green granite]

There's still a Lightning at the western end of the disused runway at Cranfield

52°04'03.74" N 0°37'44.44" W

[Lightning Mate]

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