Thundercity
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I can't help it.
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Thundercity
Gentleman, after many moons of dreaming and wanting I'm finally in a position to be able to afford a trip to thundercity.
I am searching genuine advice on whether to opt for the lightning experience or the Buccaneer. Of course the lightning appeals and the hasty decision tells me to strap one on and let a grown up take me to the moon. I can't help but feel like ten grand will be over very quickly and that I could get more for my money with a flight in a Buccaneer.
I've dismissed the Hunter, for no reasson other than they don't make me as erect as the others.
Thoughts and ideas please gents.
I am searching genuine advice on whether to opt for the lightning experience or the Buccaneer. Of course the lightning appeals and the hasty decision tells me to strap one on and let a grown up take me to the moon. I can't help but feel like ten grand will be over very quickly and that I could get more for my money with a flight in a Buccaneer.
I've dismissed the Hunter, for no reasson other than they don't make me as erect as the others.
Thoughts and ideas please gents.
Lightning vs Buccaneer
Fly in the Lightning, it has two sticks. Both offer a fantastic experience, but in the Buccaneer you are guaranteed to be a passenger whereas in the Lightning you might get to fly it.
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But is the whole thing not going to be over very very quickly......
I was going through 'Shall I, shan't I? It's an awful lot of money for 40 minutes but, on the other hand, it would be an experience of a lifetime etc etc' in Cape Town last year, and just about convinced myself it was worth the money, when the decision was made for me - there was a two month waiting list.
I settled for sitting in one and letting my imagination run riot.
Maybe one day.
Is it ten grand now?
In April 2005, they were charging (in Euros) the equivalent of about £7K.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 24th Sep 2006 at 16:33.
Just got to be a ride in a Frightning..........
Just to wet the appitite, Thunder City managed to get all 4 x Lightnings up in the air for the very first (and maybe only time) just this weekend at the Yesterplaat air expo........
Just to wet the appitite, Thunder City managed to get all 4 x Lightnings up in the air for the very first (and maybe only time) just this weekend at the Yesterplaat air expo........
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I'm an FJ mate currently on GR4, so simliar (ish) to the Buccaneer. My Dad has an entry in his Air Cadet logbook from a Summer Camp he did in Germany - Lightning T5 0:15!!! He had the option of a duration flight or, in his words "Go f***ing mental". He chose "mental" and never regretted it. Did the famous Lightning take-off to some stupid height and basically glided back in a spiral descent - I'm sooooooooo jealous!!!
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If I'm honest 40 minutes is more than I expected.
I imagined tarmac to neptune in a couple of minutes then gliding home in another ten minutes. Thrilling and awesome as it seems can the money be better spent?
Is a buccaneer in the weeds just as much fun?
I imagined tarmac to neptune in a couple of minutes then gliding home in another ten minutes. Thrilling and awesome as it seems can the money be better spent?
Is a buccaneer in the weeds just as much fun?
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It is 36 years since my one and only flight in the 74 Sqn T5 ,but I still remember every second ,especially some really low passes over islands in the Mallaca straits. I have no experience of the Buccaneer,but I have never felt such exileration as that 25 minute trip. I actually got the chance to take control for a while and it was fantastic. Everything I had hoped for, and more.
Thanks S/L Craig ,wherever you are.
Thanks S/L Craig ,wherever you are.
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Forgot to say -
It's best to book to fly soon after you arrive in Cape Town so you've got a chance of an alternate day if the weather's bad on the booked day.
Warning: They want full payment at time of booking but, if the flight can't take place at all because of weather, only refund you 80%!
20% of ten grand is a lot to lose.
I suppose they've got so much demand, they can get away with it.
It's best to book to fly soon after you arrive in Cape Town so you've got a chance of an alternate day if the weather's bad on the booked day.
Warning: They want full payment at time of booking but, if the flight can't take place at all because of weather, only refund you 80%!
20% of ten grand is a lot to lose.
I suppose they've got so much demand, they can get away with it.
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I know exactly the thought process going on in your head - "I can get much longer in the Buccaneer than in the Lightning - is it really worth that much?" And for me, the answer is "Yes". I can tell you now that, being someone who was privileged enough to have an early passenger flight in a Typhoon, comparing it to the GR4 from a purely "fun" standpoint, the acceleration, vertical climb and performance totally and utterly beat the GR4. If you want to experience a fast-jet flight then go for the Buccaneer (the Cat Deeley of jets - nice, lovely and really good-looking). If you want the ride of your life then go for the Lightning (kind of Jenna Jameson, no-holds-barred, something you'll remember FOREVER!).
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My girlfriend
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Olly, exactly right mate I appreciate your comparison....
A ride in Jemma Jameson at the time would be fantastic, but when you climb off and look over at the sleeker, more ladylike model would you not regret the rough ride and crave a spin on the nicer more elegant chick, knowing she has more stamina and would give you a longer more satisfying ride.
Wish you'd compared to Bucc to someone other than Cat Deeley, I want to hit her with a showel and saw her feet off.
A ride in Jemma Jameson at the time would be fantastic, but when you climb off and look over at the sleeker, more ladylike model would you not regret the rough ride and crave a spin on the nicer more elegant chick, knowing she has more stamina and would give you a longer more satisfying ride.
Wish you'd compared to Bucc to someone other than Cat Deeley, I want to hit her with a showel and saw her feet off.
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Yes, agreed, but as with Jenna, there's a damn sight more video evidence showing the Lightning giving chaps a better time than in the Bucc!
Imagine the other way around. You climb off Cat after a long, fantastic session, you look over at the outrageously filthy Jenna and you think "Bugger, if only........."
Imagine the other way around. You climb off Cat after a long, fantastic session, you look over at the outrageously filthy Jenna and you think "Bugger, if only........."
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Not disagreeing, am swinging towards the dirty whore who will innevitabley let me pot brown
Its just a lot of wonga for not a lot of time, but I guess thats not the reason I'm going, and I've never ever heard anyone say anything negative about a jolly in a Lightning
Its just a lot of wonga for not a lot of time, but I guess thats not the reason I'm going, and I've never ever heard anyone say anything negative about a jolly in a Lightning
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Absolutely right fella. And from someone who gets to stonk around in a GR4 for a living, if I had the cash, I'd go Lightning if only to say "That was me...." Unfortunately, I have an expensive missus, which precludes such frivolity..... 
Done both, paid for neither (both were still in service).
Side-by-side, with a stick, or stuck in the back with no chance of seeing how it flies? One gives you a real FJ experience, the other's a bit like another flight in a 737 with a better view.....
I'm exaggerating, but given the choice, I'd go Lightning, Hunter, Bucc in that order.
Side-by-side, with a stick, or stuck in the back with no chance of seeing how it flies? One gives you a real FJ experience, the other's a bit like another flight in a 737 with a better view.....
I'm exaggerating, but given the choice, I'd go Lightning, Hunter, Bucc in that order.
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Have you considered a trip to Zhukovsky Northernmonkey? For 10 grand you could take a MiG-25 up to approx 80,000 feet, and at a rather brisk pace at that! Certainly something to tell the grandkids. If its got to be Thundercity, I'd take the Lightning.