Having spent 7 years working alongside the Ribble in the factory involved (but it *was* 20 yrs ago!), it used to be a fine sight watching the things being built and then test flying in the yellow epoxy primer paint scheme. Watching a pair of them go off with reheat against a thundery grey sky was worth delaying the walk across the car park towards the 'get me home' vehicle.
The Mighty Fin - good variable geometry aircraft, but very draggy at low speed with all the drag-inducing gear out. Can't talk too specifically in a public forum (and can't remember too much detail from that long ago anyway), but I doubt the reheat was absolutely necessary to sustain flight in a level turn. Difficult to know what was going on in the cockpit at the time - may have been practice for a flying display, may have been an engine test, may have been fully loaded with stores / fuel, may have been ongoing pilot training, etc.
PS Know the Lytham Hotel fairly well, having lived in Ansdell (between Lytham and St Annes) for 7 years - is it still a Bank's pub?
