Help needed, Ex Coningsby / Scampton / Wattisham people

[Memetic]

Hi All,

I am cross posting this from a police officer friend's Facebook account, with his permission, as I could think of nowhere better to get a steer in the right direction.

I hope you can help. This was originally posted this evening.

Thanks

Memetic.


Sgt Winston Growler


This job often brings us into contact with some of the most vile people imaginable. On the flip side it allows us into the lives of some of the most interesting and delightful who you just don't want to say goodbye to.

Upon arrival at The Old Post Office I was met with a Post Office (Royal Mail) van planted into Mrs Thomson's house having rolled down the hill after the handbrake failed.

Speaking with her inside I spotted a B&W photo of an officer sat behind a desk. Asking if that was her husband she explained, after a quick tear, that it was although he has since passed away some four years ago. For the next hour we sat chatting about her late husbands career and how he used to fly the Lightning as well as the Spitfire and Hurricane for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby and was the Commanding Officer at RAF Scampton home to the Red Arrows.

She informed me that somewhere down in either Sussex or Surrey that there is a 'Ground Ready' Lightning with her late husbands name on it along with an accompanying photo and yet she has yet to see it.

I've now set myself the task of finding out where it is and making sure she gets to see it before it's too late.

If anyone can help then your assistance would be appreciated.

As for the van and the 13th century house with a shifted structure, I think they'll both last a few more years.



https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1499544_941733089185388_1818982958153289827_n.jpg?oh=7a8223c 4e60628d31388d13fad6a8b19&oe=558BD423&__gda__=1431395870_4522e1045392f9832432c3c2feb778a6

[NutLoose]

Survivors are listed here

http://www.********************************/lightning/survivors.php

[NutLoose]

Found it, Wing Commander Thompson 23 Sqn

http://www.********************************/lightning/survivor.php?id=376

Link should read. www. Thunder and lightning. Co . UK

It's painted up as his jet

Another ex-Saudi Lightning, this was one that I spotted once while on a train to Bristol - just idly gazing out of a window and for the briefest of moments the aircraft was visible from behind. Just about enough time to blink and wonder if I was seeing things, and if maybe I should lay off the museum visits because I was obviously hallucinating Lightnings! Anyway, she's real, and she was there alright - at Quedgley. Raymond Hansed, the aircraft's owner, informed me that she had been repainted to represent XR753 as she was in 1975 when she was personal aircraft of Wing Cdr Thomson, CO of 23 Squadron (white spine and fin with red 23 Squadron eagles on the fin). She's since moved to the Tangmere museum and was on external display there for a while until the new hangar was completed - she has now been moved indoors, as you can see. Since my visit they've finished cleaning her up and putting her back together so she should be a lot easier to photograph! - See more at: http://www.********************************/lightning/survivor.php?id=376#.dpuf

[Out Of Trim]

I believe it is the Ex Saudi F53 painted as XR753 RAF F6 at Tangmere Museum, West Sussex.

See http://www.********************************/lightning/survivor.php?id=376

Has Name WCDR IAN THOMSON painted on it! :)

[NutLoose]

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?133843-Anyone-involved-with-Tangmere-and-especially-their-lightning-help-needed&p=2203080#post2203080

[hoodie]

PPRuNe at its best! :D

Here's the best pic I could find of the aircraft via Google. You can just make out Wg Cdr Thomson's name.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/33498749.jpg

[NutLoose]

Yes, looks well cared for, site link

Meryl Hansed Memorial Hall | Tangmere Museum (http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/what-to-see/meryl-hansed-memorial-hall)

[GeeRam]

And the real XR753 back in the 70's for comparison (which of course still exists on display inside RAF Coningsby)

http://www.aviation-picture-hangar.co.uk/xr753tw23.jpg

[Memetic]

Thanks all. I will pass this on.

The original XR753 is around too? But not on public display I assume.

[Background Noise]

It is at 11 Squadron I think. I'm sure a visit could be arranged by Coningsby or 11 Sqn/BBMF:

RAF Coningsby - Visiting Us (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafconingsby/aboutus/visitingus.cfm)

[NutLoose]

Yes here, but it will not probably have his name on it, would tie in nice though as the BBMF are also there which he flew with, shame someone cannot arrange a visit.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/last_lightning/7379658254/in/set-72157623635500608

[teeteringhead]

shame someone cannot arrange a visit.

Knowing PPRuNe Nutty, I'm sure someone will! :ok:

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

http://www.xisquadronassociation.co.uk/images/reunions_1993.jpg

XI Sqn 'acquired' XR753 after it was left at Leeming with an apparently uneconomic repair at the disbandment of the Lightning. The fact that the aircraft was an XI Sqn jet flown by a member of XI Sqn and left on the flightline of the new XI Sqn is sheer coincidence. ;)

You might try contacting the association with a view to arranging a visit. See the contacts page.
Welcome to XI Squadron Association (http://www.xisquadronassociation.co.uk/)
The XI Sqn 100th anniversary reunion is in early May. That might work.

[NutLoose]

Though one wonders if the one at Tangmere may have a part display set up about her late husband, as they have marked the aircraft up as his. I believe from the Flypast thread that the Editor of Britain at War is passing on the details to them.

[Four Types]

Another link and a few more photos of Tangmere jet.


English Electric Lightning F53 | Tangmere Museum (http://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/museum-aircraft/english-electric-lightning-f53)

[Memetic]

I am pleased to say that Daisy Thomson was at RAF Coningsby yesterday to celebrate 100 years of 29 Squadron.

Sgt Winston Growler has asked me to pass on his thanks for your help in making this happen.

[NutLoose]

Result :)




....

[kaitakbowler]

As a recent subscriber to this forum I have trawled through some, shall we say, Sierra Hotel Wun Tango, posts and comments.

This thread ensured dry eyes were lubricated this morning.

Good job, well done.

PM

[newt]

Great story and glad to hear Daisy is well and enjoying some 29 Sqn hospitality!
Well done to all involved especially Sgt Growler! Great name by the way! Bet his police mates enjoy some lively banter!:):):)

[54Phan]

That's really nice to hear! Well done to those who made it happen.:ok:

[Wander00]

Sounds like "DCO" in every sense. Well done to all involved

[Minnie Burner]

The Thompsons
They never forgot a name. Great hosts at Leuchars and wonderful to host them in '75 at Wattisham during Bolt Hole. Best wishes to Daisy, 'The Boss' is much missed...
MB

http://i.imgur.com/nMl4R0G.jpg

[Unregisteredmaltair]

Have read with interest this forum regarding Group Captain Ian Thomson.I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Thomson when as a young lad I was active at the War Museum at Lower Fort St.Elmo Malta in November 1976. If I may make a suggestion, rather than an ex Saudi Aircraft carrying Ian Thomson's name how about XS904 which is resident at Bruntinthorpe doing the honours, that plane was actually flown by Ian Thomson as OC 11 Squadron on their APC at RAF Luqa October/November 1976

[FraserT111922311]

This thread may have drifted into obscurity but I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed reading the kind words about Ian Thomson. Of course, all of them are so true and I think I'm qualified to judge...he was my father. I stumbled across the the thread while reading obituaries for Sir Keith Williamson, one of my father's many bosses who, at dad's funeral described him as "a fighter pilot's fighter pilot'. Just wanted to assure all of you marvellous pilots (especially those who flew Lightnings) that my mother, Daisy, is indeed well and before the end of the year will get to see the Lightning sporting dad's name at Tangmere.
thanks all.
Fraser Thomson

[NutLoose]

XS904 which is resident at Bruntinthorpe doing the honours, that plane was actually flown by Ian Thomson as OC 11 Squadron on their APC at RAF Luqa October/November 1976

Well, the one your dad flew in will more than likely be screaming down the Bruntingthorpe runway this weekend, I will try to get a current picture this weekend for you :)

http://www.bruntingthorpeaviation.com/open-days/

[FraserT111922311]

Thank you NutLoose. Which day this weekend might you be at Bruntingthorpe? I am close by in Nuneaton and might venture over, other commitments allowing. I'd welcome a chance to meet up. Kr, Fraser

[NutLoose]

It's on Sunday, but I do not know what time I will be there at the moment as I have to be elsewhere early on..

This is what they do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrJf9_HzQ0w

[FraserT111922311]

That's whetted my appetite, thank you. Definitely going on Sunday and will Ben there in plenty of time for the Lightning run. I'll be the one with the proud tear in my eye, just hearing the roar from my childhood. Thanks again. Dad would be chuffed.

[polyglory]

It is on my hit list to attend and one of my mates works on the Lightnings from the old Wattisham Q sheds.

[NutLoose]

There are other things to see as well, plenty of statics such as the super guppy etc.

[NutLoose]

Dug a couple of XS904 out that I had taken previously for you

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1835/30359794358_61f74bfab1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NfMT9j)
Lightning Bruntingthorpe 2010 (https://flic.kr/p/NfMT9j) by Tony Taylor (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142550108@N08/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1817/43321569685_ea1fc43a05_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/291bnng)
Lightning 2010 Bruntingthorpe (https://flic.kr/p/291bnng) by Tony Taylor (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142550108@N08/), on Flickr