22 August 1987

[Hydealfred]

25 Years ago today it was the Last Lightning Airshow at RAF Binbrook - how time flies

[Jigsaw]

Where have the years gone?

Thanks for sharing those mate

[Hihonyr8811]

so sad, but great pics

I always used to think me and my dad went (not on base I don't mean, just lurking about on the back roads ) but I distinctly remember it being sunny and hot so I reckon it was something to do with Memphis Belle being shot some years later, especially as I would have only been 4 years old in '87. Which makes me sad (wouldn't surprise me if my dad had gone though, but I'll never know )

[Xplumberlives]

What a wonderful time that was, I was there from the Tuesday until the Sunday and boy did it rain on the day of the show!

[Mayfly]

A shame we all don't have foresight - I detached to Binbrook in 1980 for a month and spent 6 weeks in Cyprus with the Lightnings. It's where I flew in a Canberra towing the banner for their air shoots - wish I was into photography then!!

[MOD]

I had a Press pass for this show but I didn't even bother taking my camera out of the bag. KR64 was bloody expensive and didn't work in low light !!! (Who today would use ISO 64 on their DSLR ???)

However Michael Hill of Strike Command invited around a dozen of us back for a 'fine-weather photoshoot' and 5 and 11 Squadrons put on a great show. Every Lightning airframe was lined up in front of the Tower - even those which were being serviced in the Hangars or being stripped for parts recovery. We were even taken over to the 'Decoys' ie derelict hulks that were lined up on the other side of the runway to fool the Russkies that we had far more aircraft than we actually did have when going into the S.A.L.T negotiations, or so we were told at the time.

Thanks for posting those Richard as I never got to see the flightline on that day. I didn't even get out of my car as I had my Pop with me and his Alzheimer's was just about to be diagnosed. I knew something was amiss so I didn't leave him.

I am very glad that we now have a Lightning thread under the Restoration and Preservation Topic .

(I do miss 320psi's updates though )

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[Hydealfred]

Its great to hear all your comments and yes Dave "boy did it rain". I think it was this show that gave me lasting love of the Lightning. Both I and my mate Mike knew we had witnessed something unique and special on the day. I always remember coming back past Waddington after the show with the most threatening sky I think I have ever seen. That's what I like about Lincolnshire big skies especially when there is a thunder and lightning storm