EE Lightning in-service losses
lightning fire mods
Having spent three years on 103 MU in Cyprus the fire mod programme on the F6 as used by 56 Sqdn will always loom large in my memories. From having to construct a shed big enough to hold a Lightning, with a removable upper section so we could wheel the frame in, so we could air condition the frame to get the temperature down to where the PRC would cure, it does or certainly did get rather hot in Akriotiri in the summer, to assembling the fuel couplings in the engine bays using gauges to ensure the faces were parellel and the correct distance apart and then having them X Rayed to double check! Cleaning out the engine bays of old PRC with reject picks from the dental section and then after resealing the wings pressure checking them to ensure they were not leaking by taking the frame on a trip behind the mighty David Brown tractor down the peri track at Akro, through the 56 Sqdn dispersal and back to the MU with official dispensation to go as fast as the DB would go, fastest speed achieved was 25 mph! This was to ensure the wings got a good working over to check the efficiency of the sealing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg0Jj-2x5rM
(Genghis senior built Scimitars at South Marston, so I've always had a mild interest in the type, but no, it wasn't deeply successful.)
G
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Penzance, Cornwall UK
Age: 84
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I remember seeing this on a newsreel and was appalled at the insensitivity of releasing the footage of the accident. What must his next of kin thought?
South Marston
Slightly off thread but I am writing this post from an industrial park built on the site of the Supermarine works in Swindon, all that remains of the complex is what I was told used to be the main office buildings which can be seen from the Swindon/Lechlade road and the name of the local non league football team and the rugby club both going under the name of the Supermarine Spitfires.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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EE Lightning
Remember being told by a mate who used to service them for the Saudi Air Force of 5 being lost in ONE day during a sand storm in mid 70s.
Still in touch with him, will find out more & post
Still in touch with him, will find out more & post
