Lightnings over Cleethorpes
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Lightnings over Cleethorpes
This picture appeared in the Grimsby Telegraph as the pictures owner wanted to find out more information on the photograph, which showed that the lightnings were an F3 from 5 Sqdn & a F6 from 11 Sqdn. from RAF Binbrook. The photographer was TR Paxton. I text a friend who was a Lightning pilot at Binbrook & he was able to confirm that the photographer was Flt Lt Tony Paxton & he was based at Binbrook at 1980/81 & was also a Lightning pilot on 11 Sqdn. 
Tony Paxton did multiple tours on the Lightning incl one with 19 Sqn in Germany IIRC, and a lot of his air-air photos of the Lightning have been published in various places.
Also..
Tony was also the Public relations officer at Binbrook.
I knew him quite well from various PR visits to cover Lightning activities.
One very memorable visit was a private one for myself only.
Spent a whole day by the runway "Caravan" during a very active exercise, with perfect weather.
One Wing Commander question the Caravan bod as to who I was and what was I doing with a camera at that location.
He replied I was a guest of Tony Paxton, so no problem for me to carry on.
The resulting Pics. of close "line up to go", and "flair out landing" pics. were the best I ever took of lightning actions.
A really amazing day, never to be repeated.
OPF
I knew him quite well from various PR visits to cover Lightning activities.
One very memorable visit was a private one for myself only.
Spent a whole day by the runway "Caravan" during a very active exercise, with perfect weather.
One Wing Commander question the Caravan bod as to who I was and what was I doing with a camera at that location.
He replied I was a guest of Tony Paxton, so no problem for me to carry on.
The resulting Pics. of close "line up to go", and "flair out landing" pics. were the best I ever took of lightning actions.
A really amazing day, never to be repeated.
OPF
Last edited by Old Photo.Fanatic; 20th Mar 2017 at 16:23.
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GeeRam The Gentleman that owned the print was very keen to find out about the photographer & when the photograph was taken as people that know Cleethorpes will notice that Cleethorpes Leisure Centre was still an open air swimming pool & the road comes to an abrupt end at the "Boating Lake".
Coincidently, a couple of Sundays before the picture was published, I was flying down the coastline filming in 4K ultra high definition video.
Grimsby Harbour
Coincidently, a couple of Sundays before the picture was published, I was flying down the coastline filming in 4K ultra high definition video.
Grimsby Harbour
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Runway Controller
OPF,
I think you'll find that the person in the Caravan wasn't a 'bod' but a Corporal Runway Controller, an Assistant Air Traffic Controller in Trade group 9 and who, at times during his shift in the caravan, can stop an aircraft from departing with a fault or certain "pins in" etc, or who can stop an aircraft from landing without the Dunlops dangling, or possibly, amongst others, like the pilot of a CF18 who thanked me for stopping him from landing (by use of my trusty 40mm Verey pistol and a red cartridge) on the Brüggen southern taxiway with its newly painted "Piano Keys" and a load of German contractors, along with their road rollers and the like, who were finishing off its refurb as an alternative runway.
We were very useful people us 'bods' in the RWC.
I think you'll find that the person in the Caravan wasn't a 'bod' but a Corporal Runway Controller, an Assistant Air Traffic Controller in Trade group 9 and who, at times during his shift in the caravan, can stop an aircraft from departing with a fault or certain "pins in" etc, or who can stop an aircraft from landing without the Dunlops dangling, or possibly, amongst others, like the pilot of a CF18 who thanked me for stopping him from landing (by use of my trusty 40mm Verey pistol and a red cartridge) on the Brüggen southern taxiway with its newly painted "Piano Keys" and a load of German contractors, along with their road rollers and the like, who were finishing off its refurb as an alternative runway.
We were very useful people us 'bods' in the RWC.
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Indeed, ACW342 ... the RWC was often a lonely and forgotten person, until the doo-dah was about to potentially hit the fan ... at which point their value was often recognised with a "Good Show".
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Ahhh, an armed bod. 
Nice frightening pictures.
Nice frightening pictures.
VIProds - how things change - I can still remember the fish docks (in the middle of your photo) so full of trawlers you could almost walk across from one side to the other on them. By the way, it was Cleethorpes Lido (not this new-fangled Leisure Centre nonsense), and b****y cold it was too, but always full of us kids having a whale of a time in the summer.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
MPN, or my cpl flt planning who permanently retired from the caravan after a GR1 tried to land on an F3 right before his eyes.
Very nice pic - but the silver ones at Coltishall were so much better looking
Colour schemes can make a big difference to an aircraft's looks. I always think the Victor B1 in anti flash white was one of the best looking post war RAF aircraft - why an aircraft that almost never operated below 25,000' as a tanker got repainted in camo I don't know, but it did nothing for its looks.
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TTN I fully agree, Victor B1 in anti flash white - an awesome sight!
SHACKMAN here are some more pic for memory lane (if I can download them)?
Cleethorpes pier
Cleethorpes LIDO
The Boating Lake, with the Meridian shopping centre opposite.
SHACKMAN here are some more pic for memory lane (if I can download them)?
Cleethorpes pier
Cleethorpes LIDO
The Boating Lake, with the Meridian shopping centre opposite.
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All these pictures are making me nostalgic for my days as a young airman at RAF North Coates. The main picture is certainly pre 83 when the Leisure Centre was built and pre building of the road down the seafront to the Fitties, the road in the picture appears to end at Chichester Road.
Looking at VIProds's picture titled 'Cleethorpes LIDO', where's the Winter Gardens gone? I've always remembered Wednesday night's 'grab a granny' night with fond memories (those I can remember!)
Looking at VIProds's picture titled 'Cleethorpes LIDO', where's the Winter Gardens gone? I've always remembered Wednesday night's 'grab a granny' night with fond memories (those I can remember!)
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Bob, unfortunately, the Wintergardens was demolished several years ago, to make way for luxury flats!! A great shame as they put on some great events there.
When RAF Manby was having it's runway resurfaced, we all moved up to RAF Binbrook & it was from there I had my first visit to Grimsby & Cleethorpes to see Johnny Dankworth & Clio Lane. I am sure that was at the Wintergardens.
When RAF Manby was having it's runway resurfaced, we all moved up to RAF Binbrook & it was from there I had my first visit to Grimsby & Cleethorpes to see Johnny Dankworth & Clio Lane. I am sure that was at the Wintergardens.
Last edited by VIProds; 21st Mar 2017 at 15:35.
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Last edited by Senior Pilot; 22nd Mar 2017 at 10:43. Reason: YouTube insert
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eeek!
"Hoskins, step into my office ..."
"Hoskins, step into my office ..."
I was the SNCO photog supervising the SAC cameraman. I'll never forget the sight of that AATC Cpl immediately afterwards. Pale? He was practically transparent!