Gear up
Thread Starter
Hmmm! Watched a similar at Valley 'performed' by a Gnat stude, No 3 in a formation take-off.The slipper tanks ruptured and the fuel spill ignited and followed the aircraft along the runway, about 20 yards astern. The first vehicle in the queue to cross the runway at the departure end was an AvGas bowser, whose driver reckoned he stripped every gear in the box trying to get one to move away from the approaching fire-ball!!the aircraft eventually came to rest, on the peri-track, a short distance behind the vehicle queue and 'Bloggs' was out and legging it in short order! The 22 det standby Whirly rushed over seeing the possibility of 'trade', only to make a VERY rapid lateral exit as the pneumatic seat blew upwards. No idea if 'Bloggs' continued beyond the 'nil coffee, nil biscuits' interview, but it served as a useful visual aid for our S&R studes re approaching burning Gnats!!
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It happened to a friend of mine in a Venom on a carrier - at night - very spectacular show of sparks. He did relate to me the first words of the Welsh CPO who arrived first, but this being a family forum.....
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Wheels Up on Take Off
It happened at Wattisham in 70 or 71, No. 1 TFF and I won't name the driver!
Last edited by ACW342; 2nd Aug 2015 at 16:04. Reason: finger trouble
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Yes it was 1971 (if it's the one I'm thinking of) but it was an F.3 so 111 Squadron? It happened four times altogether with Lightnings but the Wattisham incident was probably the most impressive of the lot.
