There's one (T4/T5?) parked near the A52 at some cross-country snooker club just outside Wainfleet All Saints. All you need is a tractor and a towbar and a quick dash along the A52, A17 and A15 (although Boston could be a bit tricky). Pretend it's a caravan and no-one will notice. :ok:

There was one in a HAS at Wattisham some years back?

What about the sad derelict one on the East side of the A1 South of Newark? Might need a bit of work but it should be a great addition to Harry's flagpole!

LJ:E

Yes, Leon; you're right!

Please will someone rescue F2a XN728 (ex-92 Sqn) from that field at Balderton? Once upon a time she was someone's pride and joy and now look at her!

Why don't you see if you can raise some funding for this endeavour. As an ex 5 Sqn Lightning pilot (66 - 68) I would be happy to contribute. Anyone else? Perhaps the lottery might help?

There are 2 at Doncaster. F3 XP706 (although she seems to be ex-5 Sqn) is not in as good a condition as F6 XS897.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1213991316

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/m...g?t=1213991551

Is that the one in a field by a crossroads? If so, I was a tad surprised to see it there as I hurtled past one afternoon. Isn't there another jet there as well, identity forgotten?

Clarksons is out

I am reliably informed he hasn't got it anymore, and it graces a roundabout in Hampshire.

Jeremy Clarkson didn't actually have Lightning F Mk 1a XM172 in his garden for very long.

An ex-Coltishall gate guardian, it then went to Booker; subsequently there were plans for it to be displayed on a roundabout in Farnborough, but those fell through.

The last I heard, it had been bought by a private owner, Neil Airey, and is now in Cumbria having been reconstructed. Neil hopes to restore the aircraft to museum standard in the future, it seems.

Mrs C was apparently very against the idea, and only agreed to its temporary placement for the programme.

It did a lovely job of ploughing her lawn.:E

Still think that you could ask him for a sub though. His prog has had a lot of mileage from the RAF.

Quote
Yes, Leon; you're right!

Please will someone rescue F2a XN728 (ex-92 Sqn) from that field at Balderton? Once upon a time she was someone's pride and joy and now look at her!

Reply

Heard that the owner of the service area is to have the aircraft restored to it's former glory??:D

Think he had heard the same question too many times - when is the lightning getting a lick of paint??:zzz:

The vandals even took the nose cone.:ugh::=

There used to be a good 111 Sqn example in the now defunct museum at ex RAF Hemswell north of Scampton. Museum only shut down a couple of years ago. Anyone know what happened to that? :8

The Hemswell Lightning is now at Thorpe Camp near Woodhall Spa.

... and it looks pretty good sat there...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/polarpu...88639/sizes/m/

Quite a comprehensive list of what is where here:

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=679

Clarksons ex lightning is on static display along with other a/c at Farnborough Airfield

Thank you for your input!
 

Wow! I'm quite surprised as to the level of feedback over such a short time. Thank you all for your ideas and inputs.

I'll give you a quick update on how the hunt is going so far...

Firstly, I would like to re-emphasise that the aircraft will be sat outside 5 Sqn HQ. It is NOT to be a station gate guard. Thank you to all those that helped clarify this point.

The squadron's intention is not to get it flying or even taxying, but simply to inspire the current generation of serving personnel posted to the squadron.

I have a full list of the whereabouts of Lightnings in the UK. The difficulty I'm having at the moment is in finding contact details for the owners. Many of the aircraft that have been mentioned have been confirmed as unavailable.

The aircraft I am currently seriously chasing up:

XP706 in Doncaster - One of the owners has contacted me and it looks like the other owners may consider a sale or loan. Pending.

XR770 in Gainthorpe looks to be available, but once again, I am having trouble getting any contact details. I may need to take a trip up to the museum to make further enquiries.

XS919 at Wonderland Play Park in Notts also looks to be available. I think they simply want to be rid of it and I am currently awaiting a Director's decision (likely to be next week).

The suggestion to chase up a Vampire or even an F3 has been taken on board. However, I'll go down that path if I fail to secure any of these Lightnings. As a side note, it took 23 Sqn about 2yrs to acquire their Phantom, and alot of hurdles along the way! I am in touch with the chap who managed to achieve it, and have had a few offers of help in physically getting an aircraft here.

I'd like to thank Andy B of LPG and Scott C for their help in identifying the available Lightnings.

I will keep you guys posted as to how I get on. Cheers!!

No worries is good to know we can help out.

Great news, on 770 and 919 they desparatley need saving soon, 770 would be nice to see 'brought back' as she was a 5sdq aircraft and donated to the people of Grimsby at the end of Binbrook, she was presented by John Spencer and painted up as XR728 JS for a while, then back to the red fin AA 770 livery.
Here she is in 87

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...inbrook/41.jpg

919 is in a real state, but with some TLC she could be made to look respectable again.

Here she is in Aug 87 at the last 'wet wet' Lightning show

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...inbrook/11.jpg

Good luck with it and all the best from the LPG, 20 years old to day :ok:

Andy B

For the physical relocation of the ac, why don't you speak with 'Crash and Smash' at St Athan. I am sure the WO, with his team, would relish the opportunity of moving such an iconic ac.