Lightning

[Lightning Mate]

Did you fly the Lightning.........?

[PFR]

Presume this is to be along the same lines as - "Did you fly the Vulcan, "Did you fly the Victor"...if so good call:ok: I for one will be reading:D

[Lightning Mate]

"Presume this is to be along the same lines as - "Did you fly the Vulcan, "Did you fly the Victor"..."

Absolutely!

Why should bomber pilots get all the limelight???..........:bored::bored:

[PFR]

Excellent:ok:

[lightningmate]

Yes frequently, but usually for short periods only :)

lm

[newt]

Well so did I !!:ok:

Infact, last Sunday I took "Her in Doors" to Bruntingthorpe and the boys let her sit in the cockpit! Her comment......."its a bit small for such a large one"

I think she meant the size of the cockpit in relation to the size of the aeroplane!!

But I could have been mistaken as I am getting a bit hard of hearing these days!

[toscana24]

Lightning Mate

Come to South Africa (Cape Town) on 14 November for the Overberg Airshow. With luck you should see at least one F6 or T5 (or both) flying and hear them go supersonic.

Best airshow in the World - it is on a live firing weapons range. Four years ago bombs were released at the runway start and flew by in front of the crowd and landed on the range beyond the far threshold; last time it was live missile firing - sadly from a Cheetah rather than a Lightning. This time there is to be a Gripen v something older 'dogfight'.....

News Update (http://www.flyin.org.za/program.htm)

[Lightning Mate]

lightningmate:

Yes frequently, but usually for short periods only

Your F2As had longer duration than my F3s.

newt:

......."its a bit small for such a large one"

You sure you understood her?

Lightning Mate

[PFR]

Must be loads to tell - come on guys not like Fighter Pilots to be bashfull:}

[Lightning Mate]

PFR,

I'm on Combat Air Patrol at the moment, waiting for targets of opportunity (and I'm not the only one...)

Fighter Pilots are all heart - but don't mess with one.........

LM :E

[Gainesy]

When are you lot going to complete the causeway from Akrotiri to Beirut then, eh? :)

[Lightning Mate]

Gainsey,

You gotta red & white checked suit?

[Lightning Mate]

I mean, really, which one of these would YOU prefer to fly?

Thought so.....

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/Lightning_29/29SqnF3E620.jpg

[Tiger_mate]

Never flown a Lightning. But I do have a few hours on one......
http://www.artistic.flyer.co.uk/LightningF2a.jpg
with a paintbrush :ok:

[safetypee]

“… I am getting a bit hard of hearing these days!”
Surprising (or not) how many WWOLS are like that; I’m getting my earpiece next week. The medic suggested claiming against HMG (I scoffed), but there are some indications that this has been done – any ideas?

A story for starters; from the days of the F1 and difficulties in lighting the reheat at the first attempt.
The ‘Wattisham wing’ was to provide a box four for a quick pass and zoom at Farnborough, with reheat being lit mid field. To cater for reheat failures, the brief was to call the failure and everyone would cancel for a cold power climb thus maintaining the formation.
On the day, the leader called for burners – his failed to light so called the failure, whence everyone cancelled … except then from the lead came the call “Its OK now I’ve got it …!”
New formation shape - ‘Leaders Benefit’.

[Lightning Mate]

Well Tiger mate,

Lovely pic.:ok:

I don't think I know you, but I do have an original oil from 1969 by Rex Flood.

You are the only tiger to have hit the thread so far...

[Tiger_mate]

There is a 74 Sqn Tiger one with a few hours graphite on board.
http://www.artistic.flyer.co.uk/ltg_RMQ_sml.jpg
I had not heard of Rex Flood & sadly found this when researching:
Dated 28 Aug 09

Wildlife artist Rex Flood, who also specialised in painting aircraft, has died aged 80.

He retired from the RAF after serving at Coltishall with 22 years' service and decided to concentrate on painting. From boyhood, he had been interested in drawing animals and in 1963 started painting tiger heads, the emblem of 74 Squadron, then stationed at Coltishall. He also painted aircraft and six of his paintings were bought by the RAF Club in London's Piccadilly. Another 10 were commissioned by RAF Cranwell before he left the service in 1969, aged 40.

He lived for a number of years at Happisburgh and expanded his cultural range to include portraits of dogs, horses and increasingly birds. His attention to orthological detail was praised. The former electrical engineer's work was widely exhibited and his experience around the world with the RAF, including tours in Africa, gave the opportunity to paint elephants as well. He had lived in Yorkshire for many years, where he died. He leaves a widow, Helen (Moll).

[Lightning Mate]

Now then safetypee,

Which squadron was that I wonder. I note that you are four years older than me.

That's FOUR YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME, YOU HEAR?

Ahh, the famous hot streak burner ignition........:(

[India Four Two]

OK LM, I'll sneak under your CAP station with some of questions.

In 1966, at my first UAS camp, I sat in one of 5 Squadron's F6s at Binbrook. Four things still stick with me:

1. It was a long way down to the ground.
2. The cockpit was very cramped.
3. I couldn't see how you could possibly eject without losing your kneecaps. Did the seat rails slope backwards?
4. How did the tape ASI work out in practice? Was it easy to read? It looked like it had come from a mid-60s Morris 1100. :)

Also, is there any truth to the stories of Lightnings out-climbing the clearances from Midland Radar?

[BOAC]

An apochryphal story of reheat: Memories (like hearing - safetypee - see below) fade, but was it 'Spikey Newman' who led a fourship box for a reheat bomburst with the call 'Reheat...Reheat...Go!........Now!'?:ouch:

Then there was the 23(F) 4-ship in which I was 'box' which tanker-deployed to Neuburg on a squadron detachment to do an arrival display (involving a reheat bombburst -oh what fun!). Got to the tow to find centre hose only, whereupon we played musical 'chicken' and arrived at Neuburg with less fuel than we would have had untanked.:)

SP - I claimed way back (mid-90's) thanks to a nudge from a friend who told me the 'window was closing', and after an audiogram am getting some dosh. I also claimed (and got) at the same time for a back injury following an ejection. Worth a go although I fear the new economy has tightened the straps a bit.

PS - all know about the Lightning Pilots' Website (http://www.lightningpilots.com/) which carries news of the loss of Hank Martin and Rod Berrington?

[Lightning Mate]

India Four Two;

1. It was a long way down to the ground.
2. The cockpit was very cramped.
3. I couldn't see how you could possibly eject without losing your kneecaps. Did the seat rails slope backwards?
4. How did the tape ASI work out in practice? Was it easy to read? It looked like it had come from a mid-60s Morris 1100.

1. Yep, especially from 60,000 feet!
2. Yes, but I was slim and silph-like.
3. We were all measured for thigh length, which was the critical factor. The rails did slope backwards, but nothing like a modern jet.
4. The ASI was fine. Fixed IAS and sliding tape Mach number. I don't think the Morris 1100 was capable of 650 knots/Mach 2.

So there I was, off a tanker, full to the brim, and accelerating to Mach 2.
As the strip speed passed 1.5 at the right end it all became green with mildew. The jet obviously hadn't been fast for some time. When I snagged it the line Sergeant didn't believe me!

WIWOL, WIWOL, WIWOL :cool::cool:

[Lightning Mate]

BOAC,

Ah, Spikey Newman (G'day Mate).

Must have been Tremblers then.

Speechless Two,

This thread is about Lightning Pilots, not bomber or helicopter trash. :p

[Gainesy]

Gainsey, You gotta red & white checked suit?

No Mate, but I saw a few wet ones from the Oven-Ready Chicken outfit getting picked up.

Actually tracked one going down on PAR one night off the Lady's Mile end, could easily see the aircraft, if somewhat briefly, in a parabola, plus a slow descending return from the 'chute, Think it was Master Pilot Roy Williams in the PAR seat, he vectored the Whirlwind to where the chute splashed down.

[lightningmate]

Lightning Mate

Mis-ident on me sir, never flew the Mk 2 series - would have liked to of course but my overseas tour was Scotland.

lm

[Lightning Mate]

Wossa handle name mean then lightningmate?

You obviously imposter. Need missile up ass.

Is this thread starting to liven up? :):)

[lightningmate]

Lightning Mate

I refer you to your own post, today, at 1017 :ugh:

lm

[Tankertrashnav]

I spent many hours squinting down a periscope and consequently getting a bad back looking at Lightnings in one of those pretty aircraft in post 13. Then one day when the Lightning OCU was at Marham while Coltishall's runway was up I had the chance of a trip in a T4. Reaching 35,000' in something less than the 19 minutes it took a Victor was an eye-opener. Had to be the most exciting 40 minutes flying I ever did (particularly the way the G suit squeezed your thighs during a run-in and break ;))

I am hugely envious of anyone who had the luck (and the skill) to fly one of those magnificent aircraft.

[Lightning Mate]

Tankertrashnav,

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

You may well have given me fuel at some time.

En-route to Malta and Cyprus we used to play battleships with the 55 and 57 navs to relieve the boredom.

I remember one trip where we were in cloud for over an hour, and sitting under a Victor wing under such conditions was not filed under fun! Couldn't see the other Lightning under the other wing.

LM

[Lightning Mate]

BOAC,

I probably know you.

PM time soon perhaps?

[Tankertrashnav]

En-route to Malta and Cyprus we used to play battleships with the 55 and 57 navs to relieve the boredom.



I was on 214! We were too busy trying to work out wtf we were to have time for battleships :confused:

[BYALPHAINDIA]

Was reading about a 5 Sqn Binbrook pilot I think? the other year, He not only 'Banged Out' once but 3 x in about 5 months!!

Think you were only allowed to 'Eject' 3 x in any one career due to your spine shrinking!!

His fellow Sqn comrades made a bit of a celebrity of him.

It was also joked that he knew the local taxi drivers well after being driven back to Binbrook with his parachute in his bag!!

[lightningmate]

Ref the Officer Newman exploit raised above.

Venue was a Fire Power demo on Salisbury Plain and exactly as written above, the good gentleman decided to use 2 executive calls for burner. Hence, consequent to call 1, Leader N saw his formation departing rapidly away to the front, all desperately trying to recover a situation that was pretty much out of control.

Stories abound of Spikey, all who new him will remember the liquorish papers he used for his roll-ups and his high speed, staff car arrivals into the courtyard at MPC when he was OC there. One day, somebody closed the sliding barrier across the courtyard just enough to bar the passage of an Austin 1800 but Spikey recognised the hazard too late. Whoops :)

His personal demo to me of how not to tank the T5 from the RH seat aged me a bit at the time.

lm

[Lightning Mate]

"His personal demo to me of how not to tank the T5 from the RH seat aged me a bit at the time."

That's because the T5 had to be flown with the left hand and throttles operated by the right.

It took me quite a while to master this on 226 OCU because it's not natural for a fighter pilot.

Spiky does not feature on www.lightningpilots.com (http://www.lightningpilots.com) so I sadly feel he might have gone to the big hangar in the sky.

[TyroPicard]

newt

Seeing that beaut painting of King Cobra I wondered if 'er indoors briefed you on the correct locking of the canopy???

[BOAC]

How did it go? There's thems wot have and there's thems wot is going to?

[Lightning Mate]

BOAC,

I note your post was at 2315 GMT.

At your age I would go to bed earlier mate!

:)

[BOAC]

I had already got up twice by then:)

[CharlieJuliet]

Having discussed Spike Newman (I wasn't on the Tremblers), anyone remember the odd Lightning that failed to get airborne? I recollect looking out of the crewroom at Colt and seeing a Mk1 trailing a large ball of fire. That was P H who had retracted the gear a bit prematurely; I believe that this happened more than once. Luckily the aircraft did not cartwheel. The FRCs forbade a wheels up landing (which was completed sucessfully more than once, by mistake, to my knowledge). I think that the downward force of the earth on the rear fuselage overcame the elevator effectiveness, and so the aircraft tended to pitch nose down!! There was then a nervousness as to whether the aircraft would remain errect or not. As I recall, a similar effect occurred to a Reds Hawk - caused by the airbrake contacting terra firma.

[Lightning Mate]

My posted age is correct, but the 'ol memory fades at times.

If I remember, the problem with a wheels up landing was the danger of fuel vapour in the ventral tank igniting :uhoh:. All Lightnings up to and including the F3 (and T5) had ventrals which could be jettisoned. This was not possible in the F2A and F6.

The ventral jettison handle was somewhere down low on the left cockpit side, very close to the emergency gear handle. Once at Wattisham a certain Lightning Mate had gear problems and was orbiting. He had to use the emergency gear lowering, and we saw the ventral fall away. This was rapidly followed by the call "pulling the other handle now", and down went the Dunlops.

The wing was very strong and most people felt a wheels up would not end in disaster.

Are any other Lightning Mates able to add two-penneth?

WIWOL......:)

[lightningmate]

To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever completed a true wheels-up landing in the Lightning. I may regret saying that!

Several folk ended up back on the ground having lifted the wheels too soon on take-off. In addition, there was a spate of T5 events when the main-wheels 'spontaneously' retracted after landing. The critical point being that the partially retracted main-wheels acted as out-riggers to hold the aircraft relatively wings-level at the critical time.

The main concern for a wheels-up landing was a wing digging in and rolling the aircraft over. Clear evidence of that likelihood was provided when a T4 suffered a left main leg detachment from the wing mounts shortly after touch-down. It left the runway, the left wing dug into the ground and the aircraft rolled left, just past the vertical, before stopping. It was possible to open the canopy and extract the crew after clearing away earth to form a pit into which the canopy opened. There was a dramatic picture of this incident around for several years.

All in all, a wheels-up landing in a Lightning was not a good option to contemplate. FJ aircraft departing the runway at high speed onto unprepared surfaces rarely survive in a good state Moreover, the assisted escape system is often damaged by the severe vibration experienced, further reducing ones chances of surviving. The Lightning seat, lacking a rocket pack, would not be a viable option PDQ anyway.

lm

[newt]

:ok:At Wattisham, my number two forgot to put his wheels down on final approach. ATC asked him to confirm his landing lights were on!! This was confirmed and a very short landing ensued! The aircraft remained upright and he walked away from it. I believe tha aircraft was only declared Cat 5 because the Sqn was due to fold in a couple of months. Otherwise it could have been repaired and returned to service!

The Lightning was a very strong airframe and a delight to fly!

In mitigation it was his fourth sortie of the evening and the AOC kindly took this into consideration and reduced the subsequent punishment!

[Madbob]

LM

OC 5 (Wg Cdr ****) managed a spectacular wheels-up in a lightning at Binbrook c. 1984. It was totally un-intentional. The SOP used to be after every low approach or (very rare) roller was to raise the gear. However, this was causing unacceptable wear to the uc hydraulics as the Lightning "soldiered on" - and so the SOP was changed to leave the gear down.....

So when going downwind doing the normal V/A's selecting UC instead of lowering the gear raised it. As runway caravans were done away with on all airfields except those with flying training there was no one specifically looking as the ac turned finals.

Aircraft damage was minimal apart from a flattened ventral and it stayed straight and upright. I think it was either a T5 or and F3...

MB

[lightningmate]

Hey-Ho, well I did say to the best of my knowledge.

I was unaware of both of the above events - or possibly had forgotten. Aging brain, and I was doing other things at the time both events occurred.

However, surprising they stayed upright with minimal damage. If both were small Ventral types, I would expect the tail end to 'land' first and such an event usually resulted in a Cat 3 at least.

lm

[neilf92]

I witnessed,at Geilers, a 92 sqn F2 (late 67/early 68?) having a sink back on take off and sliding in a spectacular shower of sparks , then a tail high banner of flame the length of the runway as he ground off first the ventral fin then the tank to slide to a stop straight and level .
The Boss then took off on the good side before they closed the runway as they were due to relieve Battle flight at Gut.
The crashed a/c was recovered and converted to an F2A later I believe . (According to Lightning ,Birth of the Legend , S. Scott)

[Lightning Mate]

I suspect that Newt will know something about that one....

arm the guns....

[Lightning Mate]

"...slide to a stop straight and level."

I suppose that if he was on the runway then he would be level then...

:\

[neilf92]

LM
quote
"...slide to a stop straight and level."
I suppose that if he was on the runway then he would be level then..."

In this instance I'm not sure but think it didn't even drop a wing on coming to a standstill it was that level - hence my remark. :)

[Lightning Mate]

neilf92,

Please check PM.

[GeeRam]

OC 5 (Wg Cdr ****) managed a spectacular wheels-up in a lightning at Binbrook c. 1984. It was totally un-intentional. The SOP used to be after every low approach or (very rare) roller was to raise the gear. However, this was causing unacceptable wear to the uc hydraulics as the Lightning "soldiered on" - and so the SOP was changed to leave the gear down.....

So when going downwind doing the normal V/A's selecting UC instead of lowering the gear raised it. As runway caravans were done away with on all airfields except those with flying training there was no one specifically looking as the ac turned finals.

Aircraft damage was minimal apart from a flattened ventral and it stayed straight and upright. I think it was either a T5 or and F3...

Unless, there were two similar incidents involving 5 Sqn CO's....

This happened at Binbrook on 29th Sept 1977, and involved F.6 XR752, and was the F.6 to do a wheels up landing. The F.6 travelled almost 6,000ft down the runway on it's bellytank and fell over onto it's port wingtip at the end. It was Cat 2 and repaired at a cost of £99k and was back in the air on 25th Jan 1978.
There is a photo existing of it sitting on the tarmac with the long scrape visible behind along the runway. I would scan, but not sure of copyright issues as it's from a book?

[Gainesy]

It was most likely taken by the Station Phot so would be Crown/MoD Copyright.

[Argonautical]

Can I ask if it was possible to select which engine to engage reheat or was it a case of both or nothing?

thanks

[Lightning Mate]

Reheat could be selected on either engine or both together. The latter was the normal way.

The throttles would be advanced to the maximum dry (no reheat) position, and engine parameters given a short time to stabilise.

Reheat was then selected by moving the throttles (or just one) outboard through the gate and then fully forward into maximum reheat.

In the trade this was known as "rock 'em outboard baby".

Sometimes, however, one wouldn't light up, which made a formation burner take-off very interesting, especially if you were the lead ship. See a few posts back re. Spiky Newman.

LM;)

[seac]

Unless, there were two similar incidents involving 5 Sqn CO's....

This happened at Binbrook on 29th Sept 1977, and involved F.6 XR752, and was the F.6 to do a wheels up landing. The F.6 travelled almost 6,000ft down the runway on it's bellytank and fell over onto it's port wingtip at the end. It was Cat 2 and repaired at a cost of £99k and was back in the air on 25th Jan 1978.
There is a photo existing of it sitting on the tarmac with the long scrape visible behind along the runway. I would scan, but not sure of copyright issues as it's from a book?

There was a T5 that landed gear up on a Friday afternoon at Binbrook , I know because I dug it out. Not sure if it was OC 5 , but 1984 sounds about right , although the memory is dim !!

[GeeRam]

There was a T5 that landed gear up on a Friday afternoon at Binbrook , I know because I dug it out. Not sure if it was OC 5 , but 1984 sounds about right , although the memory is dim !!

Memorys not dim at all :ok:

But it’s listed as a starboard main leg collapse after touch down in wet weather, rather than a full blown wheels-up landing?

T.5 XS457 on Friday 9th Dec 1983.

A similar incident happened again to another T.5 six months later, when XS416 suffered a starboard main leg gear collapse on landing on 19th July 1984, after which T.5’s were flown for a few weeks gear down, until the problem was rectified.

[Lightning Mate]

Hello everyone.

When I started this thread, the title was:

"Did you fly the Lightning.........?"

I will now amend it to:

"Did you fly the Lightning.........?"

LM

[CharlieJuliet]

In answer to Argonautical, the 1 and 4 had a different reheat selection system (not sure about the 2) to the 3, 5 and 6. Whilst each engine could be put into reheat individually, there was a complicated system of 'piano keys' to get into and out of reheat, and the reheat was staged - not fully variable as in the later marks. Check on the inadvertent ride of - I think - Taff Holden (Engineering Officer) at Lyneham. Seem to remember that on most take offs on the 6, where a burner failed, the reselection was past V1 and so off we went; so 2 reheats were not a prerequisite to getting airborne. And yes Lightning Mate - flew Lightnings between 65 and 87 - but for not all that time!!

[newt]

:ugh:LM

I knew they would get to you but it did take three pages before the thread creep started to get out of hand!

Maybe you should start a new thread for computer nerds who "think" they fly the Lightning!

Real lightning pilots know how the reheat works!!

[safetypee]

Newly qualified on type, boss’s briefing on arrival at the squadron; “you will be considered average or below until you have at least one engine fire per year”.
One week later, first F3 solo, at night – above average.
During that first week, as JP, took over the squadron inventory – responsible for 12 a/c and various bits and pieces. Following morning, only 11, and also many missing bits and pieces; it’s surprising what’s on board an aircraft when it’s dropped in the N Sea.
They were the days of single engine low level where fires were likely during relight.
Best flying education going – and you had to learn quickly.

[Argonautical]

Nuts to you slimy reptile, I mean Newt.

The thread title is actually only Lightning.

And if Lightning pilots are too big-headed to answer polite questions about the aeroplane that they were very fortunate to fly, then that is pretty poor show.

Thanks to the others who replied as it confirms something I thought I saw as an ATC cadet at Kinloss in the 60s where one took off, came streaking back into the airfield, engaged reheat on the top engine and then went vertical right over the control tower.

A Shackleton pilot was heard to mutter "Over grown vacuum cleaner"...

[newt]

Argonautical

You come on a thread you know nothing about and are rude to the people who just want to keep the thread as close to the title as possible!

Mods please engage and shoot this idiot down!!

"FOX THREE"

[jindabyne]

Fret not Argo. Bear in mind that the size of the odd one's brain reflects the size of his aircraft's range, endurance and weapon capability. I would, however, make allowance for the vast majority. :ok:

newt,

As ever, calm down old chap ;)

[BEagle]

And if Lightning pilots are too big-headed..........

:ooh:

As if......

Never flew the thing, but flew with it on MFF :yuk: CAP during the odd ADEX. Get on CAP, twice round the pattern and the man-in-the-rocket is Bingo and RTB....:hmm:

Didn't Lightning calls go something like "Tally....Contact....More help....Fox 1 (oh really?)....Chicken....RTB"

:E

More WIWOL banter much needed to liven things up!

[BOAC]

You forgot the 'M'aidez'?

[Lightning Mate]

"Didn't Lightning calls go something like "Tally....Contact....More help....Fox 1 (oh really?)....Chicken....RTB"

Beags old chap, do sharpen up....

More like:

" judy, splash, ready for split"

Or, in the case of the ancient AI23B radar with unknown target heading:

smash it to the edge, sneak it down the side, lose it off the bottom, full burner turn in hopefully the correct direction, and never see it again!

"more help" was for the weenies!

:\:\

[flipflopman RB199]

I must admit, I find myself in total agreement with LM over his wish to amend the thread title to deter imposters....

With LM having made 22 posts out of the current 64, could I possibly suggest...

"Lightning Mate's bumper thread of self importance (No imposters allowed)" :E:E:E


Flipflopman

[Lightning Mate]

......and once in a blue moon you were able to do this:

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/Lightning_29/splash.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

"Lightning Mate's bumper thread of self importance (No imposters allowed)"

Make that 24 posts. I just love a good wind-up...

:):)

[PEI_3721]

Lightning Mate, aahh memories of MPC.
The photo #66 (one which I took earlier), was Jack downing a high flying Jindivik, followed by a 23 Sqn warp 9 reheat fly-past over the FTS/MPC and a pull up to trail level; at which time calling 2 mins to break.
May have been the same detachment when ‘boy flyer’ and instructor decided to abandon a Gnat in the circuit – complained about having no elevator control; blogs and co strapping in for a live firing thought ‘silly place to practice parachuting’.
Unmanned Gnat dutifully circled the airfield while everyone else left the scene; the ensuing ATC silence was broken by ‘Scruff’ who stated that he had the warhead round – “lets go and get it”.
The Gnat crashed (without further aid) on the beach behind MPC; the locals petitioned Station Commander to remove ejection seats in training aircraft.

[Lightning Mate]

PE 3721,

Got you in one. PM if you wish. ;)

Poor old Scruph. Went to the big hangar in the sky not very long ago.

So, everyone else - wanna try winding me up more?......

:p:p:p

[BEagle]

...warp 9 reheat fly-past over the FTS/MPC and a pull up to trail level...

Ah yes - a similar thing happened in 1975. We Gnat students had all been herded into the OM ante-room to listen to a brief from a visiting fast-jet bomber crew. Heads were nodding and eyelids drooping whilst we listened to the fascinating theory of AutoDSL attacks...it was a warm afternoon and the speaker wasn't very lively....

Then WHOOM.....WHOOM......WHOOM........WHOOOOOM as a 4-ship of Lightnings going home from MPC wired the cr@p out of the Mess, then pulled up and headed East. Stn Cdr 'Tojo' was up on his feet and out of the door to find a phone with a face like a beetroot. And How We Laughed - all except the poor Bucc Nav giving his spiel.

I'm not sure if it was on that occasion or a later one when the no.4 got a bit stretched and kept the burners in for a tad too long, then dropped a boom over Caergolliwog....:\

[newt]

Be aware Beagle.

Fast jet bomber crews lurk here on this very thread! Might even be the ones who gave that snoring brief in the officers Mess in 1975!!

At least we could go supersonic even without the reheat!


The rest of my post is:mad:

[BEagle]

Well, the brief wasn't given by Jindabyne as he was a Valley QFI at the time - and the nav wasn't 'foldie' as I know he was both elsewhere at the time and would have given a much livelier brief...:ok:

newt - are you the WIWOL who taught in the Bucc sim in 1976-7 ish at Happy:hmm:Honington and later went to ba?

[Jig Peter]

It's a cold, wet & windy day down here, so I was delighted to read about that revolutionary piece of kit, the "phone with a face like a beetroot" ...
Feel much better now, fit enough to agree with my huskies that it's time they took Old Two-Legs out ...
Merrily yours,
Jig Peter
:ok:

[Gainesy]

Lightning Tub went in at AFB/LMB Overberg airshow, S. Africa this morning, one PoB, fatal.
Thread in Mil Forum but little detail as yet.:(

[Farns744]

AOC kindly took this into consideration and reduced the subsequent punishment!newt
He thought I was paying a mortgage and reduced the fine from £50 to 30. In fact we were in a hiring not our own house :ok:.
Farns
BTW CAF exchange RA was other part of pair:= he ended up at Manston for the night.

[PFR]

Gainesy - tragic news:sad:Very sad, both obviously for the individual involved and their family & friends but also for the vintage fast jet movement as a whole:uhoh:

[Gainesy]

Indeed so, I have a name but not certain if its been officially released yet, so keeping schtum for now. I don't think the guy is ex-RAF but ex-SAAF Mirage IIIs, not even sure of that so I'll stop waffling.
Begining to sound like Hyd probs.

[Lightning Mate]

Hello Farns.

This is Fivestar.....

[Tankertrashnav]

At least we could go supersonic even without the reheat!



So could the Victor, Newt, and it was neither built like a brick s**thouse, nor looked like one!

[NutherA2]

At least we could go supersonic even without the reheat!

So could the Victor, Newt, and it was neither built like a brick s**thouse, nor looked like one!


So could the Hunter, albeit not in level flight, and it was much less ugly than either!:):):)

[Tankertrashnav]

Comparing apples with oranges there, NutherA2, but I'll admit the Hunter was (is) a very pretty aeroplane :ok:

[newt]

More b....y thread creep!!

The Hunter was pretty but had to dive at the ground from a great height to go supersonic!

The Victor looked like a bomber because it was a bomber!

The Lightning was a supersonic fighter! It may not have been the prettiest but it was a beast!

With that I'm off to bed and an early night. Busy day fishing on Monday!

:ok:

Glad to see you are alive and well Farns744. Keep your eyes open for the Wingnut next time you sit by the pool!!

[safetypee]

Re ‘supersonic without reheat’, it’s not so much the ability to achieve a magic number, but the avoidance of the boom or particularly the window-bending 'Booff' just before that when you were approaching the airfield.
In its unflattering disguise with the overwing tanks, the Lightning had a modest airspeed limit. In such a condition, it was somewhat remiss to forget that as altitude increases, so does Mach No at constant airspeed. Thus during a staging stop in a Middle East country (where we no longer fly - more of that epic later), a run and break at ~ max tank IAS, and at an airfield altitude of 6000ft, it was not surprising to be met by the boss after landing with a few choice words.
However, there were alleviating circumstances in that the Lightning formation was being ‘escorted’ by two indigenous ‘transonic’ fighters, who arrived slightly late on the scene, thus it was not certain who Booffed.

[Mike7777777]

African press websites carrying reports of the loss of one of the Thunder City Lightnings.

[BOAC]

Hey WIWOL's - I reckon we must have a Tornado pilot on here:):)

Mike7's - Post #77 + Mil forum??

[B200Drvr]

XS 451 belonging to Thunder City, Cape Town, crashed during an airshow at TFDC. The pilot Dave Stock unfortunately lost his life in the crash. RIP

[Farns744]

Hey WIWOL's - I reckon we must have a Tornado pilot on hereThere are also a couple of JAGUAR mates here as wellSome of us have flown all 3 :ok:

[Mike7777777]

Mike7's - Post #77 + Mil forum??
Indeed, several threads appearing, although clearly the natural home for any EE Lighting thread is here, it's not been a military aircraft for a few years ....

Perhaps reaching the stage with the Frightning where preservation of flying examples is paramount (with no reference to the latest loss).

[PFR]

Not to miss an opportunity to resurrect a thread:p If you haven't already and you're a "frightning" person you need to get a copy of the current Aviation Classics (Issue 5). Picked a copy up by chance at my local newsagent - marvellous both in pictures and written word - and you never know some of you might find yourself starring out from the pages:}

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/968Man/cover150.jpg

P.S. To the mods. Hope this isn't advertising. I have no connection to the publishers - just think old Lightning cobbers might enjoy it:O

[PFR]

Again I hope the moderators won't mind but the photo's over on UKAR on the attached thread are just too stunning not to share:eek:

Abandoned Airfields No 4 Leconfield (http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=30829)
(UKAR)

Again trust all the silver surfing Lightning "mates" enjoy:ok:
...and here's one I've "stuck & pasted":)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/968Man/XR765C-11Sdnb.jpg

All credits, copyright and any other fitting accolade to Fred Martin over on UKAR:D Just superb:ok:

[Lightning Mate]

Luvverly.....:D:D:D

....iss in me logbook.....

[CharlieJuliet]

Great photos - 765 was an interim 6 when I first met her!

[newt]

Still going strong then LM!!:ok:

Looks like Duxford will be the place to be in July if you can make it!!

[Lightning Mate]

Hello Newt. :)

Looks like I might well make this one.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

In the recent picture from PFR, the air brakes are open.

Where they efficient, or just decoration.

glf

[Lightning Mate]

wheressagone Newt.........?????????:\

[D120A]

Yes Gulfstreamaviator, they were efficient. They were also a useful one-shot chaff dispenser - a box of chaff, placed inside each airbrake before take-off, would pop out and burst nicely when the airbrakes were first selected at high speed. Caused a few knitted brows amongst the 'thought-you-had-a-lock-on-didn't-you?' opposition.:ok:

Linies would often write the pilot's name on the brown boxes before they popped them behind the airbrakes, engines running. Then, when said boxes were found lying on the taxiway because the airbrakes had unwisely been exercised during the taxy out, they could be formally presented to the pilot with due ceremony in Ops when he returned.:E:E

[Lightning Mate]

Gulfstreamaviator,

The airbrakes were used to improve speed stability on approach, although I never noticed a problem with them in.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

I hope the linie, got a beer in return..

glf

[phil9560]

Apologies in advance.I've never flown anything more exciting than a cessna in the flesh.or an F15 on my PC.


But I'll read about Lightnings all day given the chance so keep the stories coming please.

[innuendo]

Not specifically Lightning connected, but....

They were also a useful one-shot chaff dispenser - a box of chaff, placed inside each airbrake before take-off, would pop out and burst nicely when the airbrakes were first selected at high speed.

That little trick was tried once with some Chaff that someone found in the hangar but it had no effect on the fighter doing the attack. The reason was that it turned out to be ejection seat chaff they had got hold off, which of course is really cut to show up with GCI ground radar frequencies rather than AI radar. It caused consternation/heart failure for a moment among the controllers as the target and fighter had merged on their screen and they feared the worst. As soon as the blip separated and it became apparent that all was well, heartbeats returned to normal although the perps heard about it.