When the blue/grey finish (or whatever colour it was) was being applied in the early 80's we (11F Sqn) received a jet back from paint. It was sent up on a 2 part airtest; first a general handling, quick "pilot in" OTR then the high speed run..... as it taxied in past LTF it just didn't look right.... as it turned into the slot we could see that nearly all the leading edge was back to etch primer.... great blisters of paint hung off the fuselage and the tail didn't fare much better. I forget who was flying it but as he got out he realised that maybe he had gone a tadge too fast..... on A/F it was noticed that the leading edge (it was an F3) nav light perspex had softened, drooped 2 or 3 mm and hardened again. He wouldn't comment on his top speed and wandered into the Line Hut muttering Boss, carpet... b0ll0x.... anybody add to this tale??
HH2