Lightning T.5 - XS420

[Hydealfred]

Hello All

I and my friend Mike Potten have recently taken leave of our senses and have acquired Lightning T.5, XS420, from Neil Airey of Lakes Lightnings.

The T.5 is located at Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) at Farnborough and it is our intention to leave her at the museum. The aircraft is the museums gate guardian and is in fairly good condition throughout although we have some work to do in the cockpit and on the wings.

It is our intention to restore the cockpit over time and we have acquired most of the panels and gauges etc.

We are in the process of setting up a website for XS420 to detail the aircrafts history and also to show restoration work etc. If anyone has any photographs of XS420 in service, or of its time after retirement at Binbrook, then please can they contact me at the following e-mail address – hydealfred@sky.com

We would like to use any photographs received on the website so if you do send any over please can you indicate you are happy for them to be used. You will of course be credited on the website for any photographs used.

We hope to see some of you at FAST in the future, so if we are there working on the T.5, please make yourself known.

Regards

Richard Hall

[RLN]

Well done. Wish you every success with the restoration.

[Mayfly]

I think gate guards in general get a raw deal - so a little TLC will go along way I'm sure.

[Jigsaw]

Great stuff The very best of luck with it

[Lucas1860]

Not jealous or owt, great stuff.

Jim.

[MOD]

Richard -

I am now searching my Binbrook slides from '80 - '88.

Great news.

ibw

[Jigsaw]

Richard -

I am now searching my Binbrook slides from '80 - '88.

Great news.

ibw

I saw this coming If anyone can provide decent shots, Ian can (no pressure mate)

[Hydealfred]

Thanks all - and of course no pressure on Ian

[Dan4th]

Thanks all - and of course no pressure on Ian

Why Not?????????

He does his Best Work under Pressure!!!

Danf.

[MOD]

Sorry Richard but of the Lightning scans I have done so far, the nearest I can find is T5 XS419..

I will keep searching for a box of unscanned slides - somewhere in the loft (I hope)..


Ian

[Gaz]

ooooh, nice project you've landed yourself with there!!

Looking forward to lots of piccies!!

[Hydealfred]

XS420 yesterday - 21 July 2012 - after a bit of a clean.

[Jigsaw]

She is looking pretty good from that pic mate

[Dan4th]

Agreed!

The all-silver really suits the aircraft well!

Looking forward to MORE photos.....

We are insatiable on here

Danf.

[Gaz]

Lovely!!

More please

[MOD]

Richard: I received these shots from Terry Senior via Andy Bonsell courtesy of someone else at the LPG who saw your request for photos here on Iconic - if you follow me?

The important bit is that these are all courtesy of that legendary Lightning snapper Terry Senior.

Feb 1978 Binbrook XS420 with the LTF.


Aug 79.


Nov 79


Aug 81


BTW I know I have shots of XS420 as I was stood next to TS on at least one of these photos!

PS please let me know if the originals arrived in your inbox safely.

Ian

[Jigsaw]

Bravo

[Hydealfred]

Hi All

Been away for a while working on the XS420 website which is in preparation amongst lots of other things aviation related !

Many thanks to Ian for the shots which will be used as they are superb. Very envious that Ian saw XS420 actually in service.

A bit of an update for XS - We have sourced alot of the cockpit instrumentation (problem being a T.5 is that you need two of most things!!) but have as yet not opened the canopy. Our first priority is to carry out some work to where the wings were cut for transportation. We will need to do some re-skinning to the effected areas. Hopefully we have found someone who may be able to help with this.

If anyone knows where there maybe some T.5 cockpit ladders we would very much like to hear from you.

All the best to you all for now.

Richard.

[Hydealfred]

A few shots from FAST after a day trying to get water out of the port wing - Six drills later and still the water is happily where it was when we started !!! These Lightnings are certainly made of very hard materials

[Dan4th]

Thank You, Richard!

Water-logged or not, she is a fine
looking aircraft

Time for some expensive drill bits!

Danf.

[Hydealfred]

Thank You, Richard!

Water-logged or not, she is a fine
looking aircraft

Time for some expensive drill bits!

Danf.

Thanks Dan - they were expensive drill bits but they are now somewhat blunt

[Jigsaw]

Great pics. Thanks for the update and good luck with the drilling

[Ray C]

I love Lightnings.... But there is something special about the twin seaters, (menacing perhaps) or lends
better to the airframe shape ? My next box to tick, sit in a Lightning oh yes.

[Hydealfred]

I love Lightnings.... But there is something special about the twin seaters, (menacing perhaps) or lends
better to the airframe shape ? My next box to tick, sit in a Lightning oh yes.

When we have the cockpit restored Ray - I will give you a shout

[Hydealfred]

XS420 - on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m9vjl