Thanks, Foldie.

No argument with Ewan - but if a naughty corner is available, then it should have been used a while ago.

So, shut this down, or inflict a worthwhile penalty on those who have drifted way off course!

Naughty Corner
 

Use a naughty corner for those that go of thread and there will be no one left.

Foldingwings,

I haven't read the report, do you know what the recommendations are? Out of interest where have Thunder City been obtaining spares from?

If I could afford them I would have them all.

All
What reasons are given for not being allowed to fly aircraft such as the Lightning and Buccaneer in the UK?

hval,

I regret no, I have not seen the report but I am in regular contact with the pilot who owns Buccaneer XX896, he flew me in it in 2008 when I was last in Cape Town. It was he who gave me the gist of the company's response to it. It would, I believe, have left even these multi-millionaires in a sticky position with their bank managers if they had tried to incorporate the 'mandatories' even with out touching the 'desirables'. So it was a fait a complis!

Sad, eh!

As for spares, they were part owned/sponsored by Shell who I believe were underwriting the procurement of spares. When I was there, they had enough spares to keep them going but they were more 'ginger' with their Bucc landings than we ever were in the RAF (it was designed to be flown into the runway/deck without any flare), in order to conserve tyres for example! They had a sizeable hangar with a 'spares shop' and more than one engine available on the shelf for each type, which also included Pumas!

Certainly, they were a very professional outfit and operated as if they were a small squadron - they even had Friday Happy Hour to which they invited 120 Buccaneer aircrew who were in RSA for our 50th Anniversary reunion with our sister SAAF Bucc Sqn guys in 2008!

Latest from my mate on Facebook abt TC =

New toy. To supplement the infrequent jet flying, this Extra 300L is our new toy at Thunder City. What a great little machine.

Suggests that they might still be flying the jets!

Foldie:ok:

Foldingwings,

Thank you for your reply.

I always intended to get a few flights in with Thunder city, but never got around to it. I never had the time when ever in Cape Town. I feel really sad about that.

I always had the impression that they were very professional, whilst at the same time allowing fun to happen. Unfortunately, these days I would require two buccaneers glued together for me to fit in.

Shame Shell were unwilling to "shell out". Oh dear. That was dreadful. I apologise.

For all you Lightning officianados.......

That looks fun - I'll buy 2 please :D

So what is the price on these little beauties?

Did the Capetown lightnings and other aircraft ever get sold ?

One Bucc is flying again in SA, do not know if the others sold, sorry.

Look for the Lightning crash thread on here... It's an eye opener.

.

NutLoose

Read the final report in amazement, was wondering what happened to the remaining lightnings, hopefully not cut up.

I saw a beautiful black Buccaneer flying eastbound along the coastline of False Bay, West Cape, South Africa yesterday (14/03/2014) at 12.00 hours UTC. Someone, somehow, is keeping some of the Thunder City jets airborne...

Cool, the Lightnings has been flying again too... It's about time we get a Bucc flying in the UK

Keep them flying - will be there in 3 weeks. Hope to get some photos