Ejector Seats
Tarnished,
I've just read the account of your Lightning ejection and as it stirred some memories, I've just checked my log book.
I was on board the Nimrod that was returning from a Survex in the Baltic when we heard your beacon go off. At the time we were at high level and in contact with Eastern Radar on our way back to St Mawgan (not Kinloss) and all we said to them was words to the effect of "Make way, Nimrod aircraft going down for Search and Rescue", followed by a rapid descent.
We on-topped the ditch location which, as you described was a mass of "boiling water", marked the location and hung around to vector the helo.
I remember that at the time we were thinking that the poor chap (if still alive) wouldn't believe his luck at having a Nimrod on-top his position so soon after ejecting. Although from what you say, you may well have still been above us as well as your partner.
We did learn that you did indeed survive (it says "Pilot OK" in my log book) although until tonight I had never learned the full details.
Glad you made it OK.
Wicked Rebel