Thanks
 

Thanks for re posting - must have been a tough det - amazed the RAF broke the aircraft down like that - quite a few books stated that the RAF Had never actually taken a Lightning apart in service - well i guess that proves them wrong ! - Shows to good advantage just how clever the design of the aircraft was all fitting together like a jigsaw

I had the pleasure of working with Gp Capt Fynes' late brother. A 'Fyne' gent. RIP Chris.

SF

And the ability of the groundcrew to "go where they've not been before" with a fine aircraft.!!!!

Smudge :ok:

They did another one as well out there, as well as putting it all together beforehand - as the squadron T.5 XV329 had been shipped out to Singapore in bits in '67, put together and then stripped down and shipped back again at the end of the det in '71. Unless these assembly and disassembly tasks were both done by contractors and not the RAF?

Here are a couple of mine from Bruntingthorpe...

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/o...psyocus5fi.jpg

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps19631f44.jpg

Have a strong recollection of us taking Lightnings apart at 60MU RAF Leconfield - circa 1968.

XR758
 

XR758 survived to fly again joining 23 Sqn at Leuchars in June '71

I bet someone from 103MU, circa 71 would be able to confirm the dismantling of a Lightning or two. Or perhaps my memory is wrong. Now, Gentlemen, where's this Wednesday's fix of photographs of this, most finest of British fighter aircraft ??????

Here's a nice painting I found on line;

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

I really envy those who can say they have sat there in respect to the painting.

Smudge :ok:

Great thread. The Lightning was the RAF aircraft to me. Summed up a time and an attitude now long gone. I nearly said sadly but I suppose if you weren't around in those days then you won't know.

A friend of mine flew the jet in all it's incarnations and I once asked him which was his favourite mark to fly from a pilot's point of view. Without hesitation he said the Mk 1A which in his opinion was the finest handling of the lot. I rather thought he would have said F3 but there you go.

Actually I think most of us would say the Mk2a. Top guns and two Firestreaks or four guns! Great range and handling!:ok:

Did the two ever fly in four gun fit? I have a hazy memory of it having the option of two bottom nose cannon, not the ventral pack ones, as well as the top nose cannon. Only ever worked on threes and sixes.

I was too young to fly the earlier marks, but a ventral-less 3 (or 5) was pretty awesome...

Tried to feel sorry for T5 passengers in what was the ultimate fairground ride, but was having too much fun to worry!

Yes "thing" I did. The IWI decided it would be a good idea to fire them all in the range at Leewarden! Took a fourship up there including myself and we lined up abreast and pulled the trigger! very exciting especially as the aircraft shook so much that my MRG button disintegrated and I came home with no master instruments!! Not sure we did it again!;)

Guys it's WIWOL Reunion next Thursday! Come along and meet old friends! Starts at midday but pitch up any time. Details on Eds site!

See you there😀😀😀😀😀

Will miss it this year - otherwise engaged - will miss the noise and the banter though!

Next year defo!

Giddy with excitement.

Less than 24 hrs and counting.

See y'all tomorrow.

T

I'll be with you in spirit tomorrow, guys. Enjoy! I'll be there next year.:ok:

Gentlemen, it's Wednesday, I hope you all have a great time tomorrow, but, with 40 minutes to go, where's my Lightning picture fix of the week. Stop teasing, post the pictures please.

Smudge :ok:

Just for you, Smudge... :ok:

All images copyright - Mike Freer

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._AN0675727.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._AN2279871.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._AN1410280.jpg

-RP

Ooer, cracking photos. Is that a Spit tail in the first pic?