English Electric Lightning legends
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English Electric Lightning legends
I recall reading in a Shell aviation magazine many years ago about an engineer doing engine tests at the runway threshold.
He was not a jet pilot and apparently the throttle got stuck at full power. He was not strapped in and the cockpit was open.
Apparently he took off and was talked into the circuit and landing.
Anyone else heard of this story and was it true or just urban legend.
Wish I could find the magazine because I recall that it mentioned his name and where it happened.
True or false? Either way it was a cool story.
He was not a jet pilot and apparently the throttle got stuck at full power. He was not strapped in and the cockpit was open.
Apparently he took off and was talked into the circuit and landing.
Anyone else heard of this story and was it true or just urban legend.
Wish I could find the magazine because I recall that it mentioned his name and where it happened.
True or false? Either way it was a cool story.
Join Date: Oct 2002
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And the man himself:
Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden - YouTube
XM135 can still be seen at Duxford.
Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden - YouTube
XM135 can still be seen at Duxford.
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Girl??
Not this picture.
The WAAF involved was Margret Horton, and the aircraft was Spitfire Mk V AB910, presently with the BBMF.
camlobe
P.S. White overalls? Must be a branch of post-production interceptor/AG trials and development unit. Failing that, ensuring the fin flash paint will air-dry.
The WAAF involved was Margret Horton, and the aircraft was Spitfire Mk V AB910, presently with the BBMF.
camlobe
P.S. White overalls? Must be a branch of post-production interceptor/AG trials and development unit. Failing that, ensuring the fin flash paint will air-dry.
skwinty wrote,
Although the image isn't of Margaret Horton see details of her incident.
....a WAAF ground-crew fitter, had been sitting on the tail whilst the aircraft taxied out to the take-off point (as was standard practice) without the pilot, Flt Lt Neil Cox DFC*, realising she was there. The pilot took off with Margaret still on the tail.
Welcome to the BBMF - Spitfire AB910 (Mk Vb)
TJ
I wonder how that happened?
....a WAAF ground-crew fitter, had been sitting on the tail whilst the aircraft taxied out to the take-off point (as was standard practice) without the pilot, Flt Lt Neil Cox DFC*, realising she was there. The pilot took off with Margaret still on the tail.
Welcome to the BBMF - Spitfire AB910 (Mk Vb)
TJ
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As in:
KW: "Come back, where are you?"
A A St J H: "I'M OUT HERE SITTING ON THE TAIL!"
KW: "I'll try this lever...." - and a few moments later, after a second bang, having joined him:
KW: "Isn't life funny? This morning the stars said this would be my lucky day."
A A St J H: "If we keep going up at this rate, you'll be able to tell 'em they're wrong!"
My first lesson in stability and control! Seriously, I wonder what the stick force/static margin was like in that situation.
KW: "Come back, where are you?"
A A St J H: "I'M OUT HERE SITTING ON THE TAIL!"
KW: "I'll try this lever...." - and a few moments later, after a second bang, having joined him:
KW: "Isn't life funny? This morning the stars said this would be my lucky day."
A A St J H: "If we keep going up at this rate, you'll be able to tell 'em they're wrong!"
My first lesson in stability and control! Seriously, I wonder what the stick force/static margin was like in that situation.
