Lightning Photo

[vintage ATCO]

Anyone remember this:




Does anyone know who/what/where/when ?

I remember the photo being published in the newspapers, must have been early/mid 60s. Must have been the Daily Mirror, I think that's what my parents read!

Would like to get hold of a decent sized copy of the picture for my wall. Does anyone know if it is on the net anywhere?


VA

[hjc]

This photo shows the final seconds of Lightning F1 XG332, which crashed while on appraoch to Hatfield on 13th September 1962.

The pilot survived (although he did come down in a greenhouse if I recall correctly).

Sadly I'm typing most of this from memory as my book with all the details in is on loan to a friend.

As you say, it is a well-known photo and larger versions are available ... I'll leave it to others to give examples as I couldn't find a copy when I looked.

Hope this helps,

HJC

[Reichman]

The pilot was George Aird. He did indeed land in a large greenhouse, breaking his leg. He was unconscious and was woken by the sprinkler system.

[smartman]

And the chappy is nicely retired in Hesketh Bank, near Preston-----

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

The Lightning had been out over East Anglia from Hatfield on a flight connected with development of a DH missile (IIRC). There was a fire in the rear fuselage, and because of easterly winds he had to extend out to the west to join for Hatfield's easterly runway. During this extended time in the air, the fire caused either elevator or tailplane control failure on short final, leading to the attitude shown in the picture.

SSD

[vintage ATCO]

Thanks everyone.

I am intrigued how the photo came to be taken. Someone out doing a photo shoot for Farmer's Weekly Playmate of the Month?


VA

[WG774]

XG332 is listed on this site: Lightening - Vertical Reality

Alas there are no pictures of XG332, but it has some nice pics of other birds such as this one:

[wub]

Vintage:

The pic used to be at

http://www.aeropages.co.za/ThisnThat3.html

I can't get it right now but the server might just be down.

[Fokkerwokker]

'Gentleman' George was ,for many years, to be seen around the bazaars at the helm of the Mosquito

[vintage ATCO]

Thanks wub. I can't get it either but I'll keep trying.


VA

[Dr Illitout]

Any news on the tractor?

[DamienB]

The largest copy of this shot available on the web is, I think, this one

I thought the copyright resided with Mirror Syndication International but a search on Mirrorpix.com does not find this shot (though lots of Lightnings strutting their stuff at Farnborough and a few nice shots from various tests).

[spekesoftly]

A few more details can be gleaned from this earlier thread.

[astir 8]

The tractor is a Fordson Super Major of about 45 hp flat out - it would have been blue with orange front wheels. Probably cost about £950 new and was built in Basildon.

These days it would have an EEC-specified roll-over protected cab, be fitted with air conditioning, heater and stereo, multiple electronics, have at least 120 hp, cost at least £30 grand and be built by the Fiat/New Holland/Case/IH conglomerate anywhere but in the UK!

That's progress - the UK tractor building industry has gone pretty much the same way as English Electric and the Lightning

But how the f*** did that photo get taken???? There's been no reply on that one

[hairyclameater]

Photo was taken by local man Jim Meads who was trying to take a shot of his 2 young lads with the lightning screaming in over their heads- what for a few seconds more could have been a disastrous day out for them. Has become one of the classic prang shots with thankfully (yet again acolades to messrs Martin Baker)a safe conclusion although RIP a few dozen tomatoes(!)

[sycamore]

If you want to see some eco-friendly" Fordson Majors", powered by Merlins, Griffons, Allisons, Hercules , and Klimovs,

trywww.tractorpulling.com

[SPIT]

George was a founder member of No 7F Squadron ATC and they got a copy of the Photo from the Press Office of the Daily Mail (I think). If you contact the paper I am sure they will let you have a copy. He said when he woke up in the tometo greenhouse and was being sprinkled with water his first thought was THAT HE WAS IN HEAVEN) He flew the Mossy HT-E (sadly now gone) for BAC where he was also a Pilot at Harwarden up to his retirement.

[Dr Illitout]

Well done astir 8 I've always wondered!!!!. Now what did the ploughman have for his lunch?!!!!. Seriously, that is a classic photo. I also think that I have a Lightning book somewere that HASN'T got that picture in in!!!. That must be against the law?!
Rgds Dr I

[Zlin526]

But how the f*** did that photo get taken???? There's been no reply on that one

I am reliably informed that the photograph was taken with an invention called 'The Camera' This superb piece of engineering was invented in a heavy engineering works in Burnley just after World War 2, and examples can still be seen in former Eastern Bloc Countries. Good examples have been known to fetch prices of up to 5 Guineas on Ebay.


Z


But seriously folks,

Did George Aird's parachute stream to full extent. Looks a little low for full deployment of the 'chute..

Z

[DamienB]

Ah Zlin do you know how many times I stopped myself from replying 'with a camera'