Nipva – ref #123 - Thank you. It is nice to see some IAS numbers quoted from a true aviator rather than a 'wannabe' .....
Realism and records are getting closer together.
Earlier: But we really need some more IAS readings at the top of their ballistic zooms (or controlled flight?) from the likes of those who claim 80K+ Lightning height records such as ...
Will “Firestreak” (#42) or Mike Hale (#45) please describe for us the profile that they used with IAS & Mach (...probe limits?) to reach a U-2 flying at it’s normal height of some 70,000’+?
PS "...and 80K?"
PPS "... and IAS at 88K in post #65 by Roome?
On a similar subject, an airtest ended with a 'joie de vivre' much lower zoom. The Lightning Mk6 was homebound at the end of the high Mach run: there were concerns for a quickly reducing fuel reserve.
As the throttles were eased back there was a 'banging' in the intake below. A careful inspection after the flight revealed nothing untoward. The local R-R rep just shrugged his shoulders and said the Avons were 'real tough - don't worry'.
But the intake choking feeling on power reduction was an uncomfortable moment.
The Lightning remains a real hot-rod to this day. Let us hope that the 3 flyable Cape Town based Lightnings will return to the display circuit soon.