langleybaston,


Although I prefer to post pics of aircraft from the RAF's premier fighter squadron (92 Sqn) responsible for shooting down the most aircraft in WWII and - in the Phantom era - since, just for you I did manage to find this very nice 19 Sqn Lightning T4 pic:


http://sg-etuo.de/media/zetsche/XM97...qn-zetsche.jpg

A 19 Sqn Lightning F2A managing to avoid landing in the water and/or crashing through the fence, and impressing onlookers at the same time !


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...b251019038.jpg

EngO: many thanks indeed. I can HEAR the latter aircraft!

Gentlemen,

I know it's not Wednesday, but can I offer this small tribute to the Tiger Squadron;

http://youtu.be/NBci6ynQNQo

Smudge :ok:

Here she is now, Duxford 2014.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...pskelmnlgn.jpg

Last 'Flash Trail'
 

The last 'Flash Trail' APC deployment of Lightnings to Akrotiri:


The late 'Lord Percy' took them to the south of France, we then took them the rest of the way. Happy days!

The Difference a Few Weeks Make
 

September 1974. Finningly BoB. Display & Spare.
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...innBoB0972.jpg

A Little Later. Wattisham Junkyard, the same 2 jets.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...Watt250675.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...Watt250675.jpg

Brighter Days

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../1/2099131.jpg

Was it not the full checkerboard tail, omitting the fin flash, that caused the then Fighter Command to clamp down on coloured fins?

I recall 74 at Tengah painting their fins black on the day of the formation of Strike Command (30 Apr 68), as they had no instructions from them or the shiny new 11 Gp preventing such activity ;)

I thought the full checkerboard tail was OC 56's aircraft ??

"QRA" before the start of a TLP mission, Jever, April 1986.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../1/0304152.jpg

They applied it to more than one :-

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psv9nsnjpi.jpg

Excuse a post from the ground crew side, perhaps someone could help me with these. As a tyre bay support man I was sent to Malta on an Airdex with a team from 56 in 1974 I believe. Apparently I did such a good job of keeping the tyres going that they told me it was the first Airdex they had not lost sorties due to lack of serviceable main wheels. On return to Akrotiri, I was sent for by the boss, who presented me with a tankard in appreciation of my efforts. To this day I can't remember his name, hope someone can help;

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...pszzt6lzkc.jpg

This second shot is a better look at the aircraft L, and the Squadron lads who I went to Malta with. It only took me a couple of weeks to wangle a posting on to the Lightning Minor Team.

Argonautical and Minnie Burner, great shots of 56 Aircraft today, thanks. Photo credits station photog section, Akrotiri 1974.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5bhmsjry.jpg

Smudge :ok:

Congratulations, Smudge.
Looks like Martin Bee was the CO.
http://kinghamhillschooldays.co.uk/n..._bee_large.jpg

First time I've seen that photo of Pete Chapman's white tailed '696 aero's mount 'on the dump'....... :{

Mind you, he certainly wrung it's neck and FI in that last season display's :E

PC must be up there among the best of those that displayed the beast over the years.

Has there ever been a vote among WIWOL for best aero's display pilot......?

In '65 226 OCU Lightnings had the red and white tail/spines

http://i62.tinypic.com/k7z1y.jpg

but we were told to remove all the polyurethane paint (nasty messy job for the riggers) and just have the 145Sqn badge and St George's cross

http://i57.tinypic.com/rsdenm.jpg

We were told that someone had waved a radiation counter at the paint and discovered it collected 'Special' Weapon' testing dust at altitude, but you know how rumours spread.

WMDWOL
 

Please forgive my posting 2 hrs prematurely.


http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3siggqxx.jpg


This is a painting of mine from September 82. It hangs in my Dads hall (Goudie would have seen the original a few moths back) It is a picture taken through the glass hence a slight reflection. My Dad was on 5 Sqn up at Binbrook at the time. I do have some pictures he took at APCs in Akr in my old albums in the loft.
I have no idea how I found energy but after a hard day at the drawing board I would come home and get the brushes out often till past midnight. Now I do PPrune till late! I mainly painted pictures of the aircraft I had been working on but did this one for my Dad. I never worked on the Lightning. As a teenager my dad did send for me when he was at Oakington to remove a lost spanner from a oil tank on a Hercules Engine on a Varsity. My arm was slim enough at the time to recover the spanner without having to split the tank. I guess this may have had some influence over my career choice. I wander if I should have stuck to painting rather than Engineering!

Minnie Burner, your #73.

Thanks for that, I can put a name to that photograph now. Of course, in those days 73/4 a Jnr Tech was lucky to know his own Cpls name, let alone the Wing Commander. Thanks again.

Smudge:ok:

One for WIWOL's and fans alike...

Superb new title on the Lightning from, Ian Black.

http://firestreakbooks.com/files/201...ng_Jacket.jpeg

Home | Firestreak Books

-RP

Airfix
 

How many future j-jox made a model of this?:

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviatio.../1/2233185.jpg

At least, 19 Sqn are consistent
 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...b251019038.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...20Comps/F4.jpg