"As for the Lightnings the reasons they are not allowed to fly are very good ones. "
Just like the Policeman who wouldn't get on the Bike or the countless other pathetic "Zero Risk" attitudes that pervade our society.
Average age of the mission controllers sending people to the moon was around 26 years old. Could you imagine a 26 year old doing that today. Most have no sense of adventure, no imagination and won't attempt anything new or remotely risky as they have long ago been warned off. (My Physio told me today that new students are now encouraged NOT to touch patients and indeed are now not taught how to. They are encouraged to listen and give the patient stretching excercises and send them on their way!)
The Nanny states is/has killed this country and the sooner we get back to a bit of trial and error the better off we'll all be.
As for the Victor lifting off. What a great sight to see. Lets have more of it assuming we all realise that going to an airshow may be bad for one's health (along with Smoking, Child Birth, Swine Flu, swimming near Sellafield and eating Farley's rusks!)