Lightning photos

[Saracenman]

x_x

pot/kettle!

[320psi]

Right this evenings offering is one that you couldnt keep out of any Lightnings photos thread, the Last Last Lightning show at Binbrook in August 87.

The practice day 24hrs earlier was perfect, warm sunny and some exellent flying,

But as the moning dawned it rained and rained and rained and rained and then rained some more, I have never been so wet, but boy was it worth it

The 9 ship display was beyond belief, all did a steam take off, they lined up in threes and one after the other they went, breaking into the vertical, then turning right and one after the other coming in low across the center line, vapour streaming of the wings.

Then came the solos with 'Chris Fynes' in the seat, I was speachless



These two shots show the conditions perfectly





Jake Jarron 11sdq last boss, aircraft (not his last BA though that was XS903) XR725 now sats in Charles Ross's garden, in Binbrook village



XS919 BB as she should look she is now rotting in a kids play park near me in the Notts area









Our very own 728, waiting John Spencer to lead the 9 ship



Static line up



The famous 'sliver' lightning XP693 came in from Warton











'Fynesie' comes though low and fast



Got some more but Photo bucket is playing up, will try later

[Saracenman]

what a bloody shame we can't go back in time eh?

[Xplumberlives]

Andy

What a week that was, as you say, thankfully the day before was perfect!

Keep 'em coming please!

Dave

[Mackrick]

SM

Look in the background.... I was there ZA141

[Saracenman]

yeah i saw poor old 141

[Jigsaw]

what a bloody shame we can't go back in time eh?

You would not believe (ok you would) the times I have thought that mate

[Dan4th]

what a bloody shame we can't go back in time eh?

You would not believe (ok you would) the times I have thought that mate

Where's Doctor Who when you need him?????????

D.

[Wedgy]

Hi all,

Now then, these shots that follow over the next week or so are all from an ex Crash gate '3er' friend of mine, Terry Senior, who spent many more hours up there an most, his photos are superb and this is just a small proportion of the collection that he has allowed me to host


Enjoy, I have been

CG3 where it all started, from the inside



XS452, BT on the ramp, now flying in S Africa



Our very own 904









Our 728 in another life and in a different livery







And 728 again, in an even eariler life







AA XR770, now live again at Waddo





XS903 before becoming the black finned BA, now at Elvington, flown there by Jake Jarron in May 88, he was 11sdq last commanding officer at Binbrook and this was 'his' aircraft





904 again in an earlier life



Another blown tyre





And a blown tyre and a cross wind dont make for a good landing











Thats it for tonight,

[Saracenman]

that must be so strange 320 - looking at those pictures of your two - taken at a time when you had no idea they would end up BELONGING to you!

weird

sm

[Spitfire]

that must be so strange 320 - looking at those pictures of your two - taken at a time when you had no idea they would end up BELONGING to you!

weird

sm

Yeah I was thinking the same thing - must be weird.

[Dan4th]

Andy:::::

I was just thinking (...yeah, I know. It's a
curse...) Is there out there somewhere a
book that lists all Lightnings ever made that
includes service history, ultimate fate and
a photo or two? Lord knows there are enough
anoraks out there who'd just HAVE to buy such
a thing. Might bring-in some CASH!!!

Danf.

[Mackrick]

keep em coming Andy....

[Mayfly]

excellent photos thank you

[Wedgy]

Andy:::::

I was just thinking (...yeah, I know. It's a
curse...) Is there out there somewhere a
book that lists all Lightnings ever made that
includes service history, ultimate fate and
a photo or two? Lord knows there are enough
anoraks out there who'd just HAVE to buy such
a thing. Might bring-in some CASH!!!

Danf.

Hi all, thanks for the comments

Dan4th , yep theres a few of them out there, some new ones some old, all simular

Few more for you all

728 again





XS458 the last of the 'Cranfield six' shes still there and regually taxied





Arh thats better, as I know her





One of the many Binbrook decoys, just out the paint shop, from paint trials..



Typical Binbrook weather



A very famous F1a XM173



And our 728 again





T5 XV328, the last but one T5 built and one of the Cranfield six, but sadly chopped and 'smelted' in 1998, her cockpit is at Brunty with Nev Martin



Lovely

[Spitfire]

I know its a shame to see them on pylons but the Cornish claim to fame is XS936 at Castle Motors near Liskeard.



XS936 first took to the air on 31st May 1967 and was delivered initially to 60 MU. Entering service with 23 Squadron, she also served with the 11 and 5 Squadrons and the LTF, finishing her active career with 5 Squadron. Bought by Roy Flood when put up for disposal, he had her mounted here on the forecourt at Castle Motors. The adjacent A38 road even has a 'Low flying aircraft' sign just before you reach the turnoff for the garage... for the helicopter charter operation there, sadly not for the Lightning! She is stripped out (no engines for instance) and wears a decidedly non-authentic paint scheme but makes a hell of an impression regardless. She has been well looked after and regularly cleaned and painted over the years but recent photos have shown corrosion taking hold, with rust streaks on the missiles, various spots on the underside and along the spine.

Castle Air the helicopter charter company behind Castle Motors provides helicopters all over the country for film work - famously they were the choppers used for Anneka Rice's Treasure Hunt

[Wedgy]

Great pics 320 (damn, I just keep repeating myself!! )

Spitfire, thanks for that too. Ive seen that image many a time on the internet - but never knew where/when/how

[320psi]

Thanks for the pic Spitfire, I was there when they stuck her up there year ago.

Nice to see

[Dan4th]

Well, I STILL think there's a great big heavy
expensive book in there somewhere!

Some of those shots just bring everything
alive for the viewer!

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Well, I STILL think there's a great big heavy
expensive book in there somewhere!

Some of those shots just bring everything
alive for the viewer!

Danf.

Quite agree Murkin Leader, but the photos would have to be accompanied by Andy's wonderful matter of fact explanations! Can you just imagine how much fun he could have with the chapter about starting the engines!

[Dan4th]

Or cleaning the Doghair out of the intakes!

D.

[Xplumberlives]

Do you think we could order copies numbered one and two?

[Dan4th]

Only if they're signed by the author in our presence!

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Good point, come on ANDY start writing that weighty tome, Danforth will even sail over to collect his first edition!

[320psi]

Oh chaps, you dont know what you ask of me.

Im no 'novelest' just a grease monkey who likes to spread positive news about my passion of 22 years

Im glad you get something from these posts, thats good, but writing books aint for me, Im a 'doer' in the physical sence

Buy a squadron print next time your at Brunty from our stall and I along with my fellow LPGers will sign it for you

There are loads of books out there that do just what you want regarding all things lightning

Stuart Scotts 2 volumes (third yet to come soon) are the definative must have Lightning story, Vol 1 covering all the early stuff with all the early lightning histories and some superb piccies, vol 2 (which Im reading at the mo along with Jimmy dells life story 'tanish 6') is the history from the mid sixties to the end in 88, again covering all the details of aircraft built, lost, saved and scrapped with some outstanding photos in it

For instance Vol 2 has a total of 93 pages of indivdual lightning histories, (Vol 1 has 82 pages covering the same but for the earlier aircraft) its a very very very comprehensive read, the ultimate lightning book

Vol 3 which Sturat is compiling at the mo will cover all that has happended in the last 20 years, we will feature alot in this book.
These books are 1 and half inch thick and some 700 pages each and he has spent most of his adult life on the reserching of them and getting printed and sold to cover his costs, in fact his photo collection of thousands is up for sale.


If you go to our home page http://www.lightnings.org.uk/
Vol 2 is on sale along with Vol 1 somewhere.

They are the books that give you it all, I kid you not

If you dont mind I will stick to giving you my stories here and 'spannering'

Just keep asking me questions and I will do my best to answer them