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Anyone shed light on this.
1 Attachment(s)
Going through my late father's photographs I found this. He he was a TV reporter for the BBC in the early 1960s and I think the photo was taken somewhere in North East England. Who was the woman? What was she doing to merit a TV interview? I guess flying or flying in the aircraft in the background. The aircraft. A Lightning? I would love it if anyone can shed any light on this. Thanks in advance. |
Isn't that Diana Barnato Walker?
Got her book somewhere. |
Women's Speed Record Flight - 1262mph - on 26 August 1963, Squadron Leader Ken Goodwin and I pose for the cameras. And behind is the Lightning which I flew - XM996, a Mark T4.
Photo caption from her book, 'Spreading my Wings' 1994. |
On 26 August 1963 she flew an English Electric Lightning T4 to Mach 1.6 (1,262 mph) after convincing the Air Minister to let her fly it with Squadron Leader Ken Goodwin as her check pilot, and so became the first British woman to break the sound barrier. She also established by this flight a world air speed record for women.[6]
I suspect you are right. here is a direct extract from Wiki |
Odd choice of footwear. |
And wearing a pair of flatties as well.....was she excused boots...?
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Should be stilettos you mean? :-)
Maybe changed after the flight? The pics in her book do not show her feet but she was wearing a tie! |
Could well have been later on..
"You've got an interview with the BBC; get a flying suit on." |
Thanks so much for that. II'l write it on the back of the photo. Much apprrciated! |
I thought that a few WRAF officers had joined the ten ton club before then.
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Wasn't the flight from RAF Middleton St. George?
Which fits in with the NE England question. |
Fareastdriver
I thought that a few WRAF officers had joined the ten ton club before then http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...n-TonFlyer.jpg |
Well, was it John Smith or Ken Goodwin who was with her?
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Hmmmmm Ascend ----- 2 different women at 2 different times mate.
Thus ---- 2 different pilots. |
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The difference between Oakes and Barnato is that the latter was a qualified pilot and was performing an aircrew role during the flight. Oakes was evidently a passenger, given some hands-on time.
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Where is she now (at 83years old)?
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?? Jean Oakes would be 90. Diana Barnato died in 2008.
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May I ask why the quoted speeds were only around Mach 1.6? Was it then a rumour that the Lightning was capable of Mach 2? :)
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If my memory is correct, the small pointed fin Lightnings were limited to M1.7 for reasons of supersonic directional stability, big fin versions good for M2.0
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