Lightnings

[Mackrick]

Wish your wards still flew Andy then I would still had a chance to take photos like these..

[Saracenman]

whilst i DO recall, as a very young youngster, seeing Lightnings flying somewhere - no idea where i was though - my first 'experience' with a Lightning was on my little trip to Boscombe Down.

seeing 629 (?) 'on a pole' there - i was astonished at the sheer SIZE!

all fuselage too - not like Tornado which is comparatively 'slender' - just one great big lump of fast jet - superb!

sm

[Mayfly]

did I ever mention I went on detatchment to Cyprus with the lighnings ..............

trouble is tho' when there are there you take them for granted

[Pujgnie]

I was with them in Cyprus - 56 Sqn. (In my role of Ploddy Doghandler )

Nice line of them, many leaked fuel and other functional body fluids like sieves ..... ( A common trait ). And yes, you do get to take them for granted - until they are gone, and become part of history.

[Old Rigger]

Whilst in Malta on 203 Sqd Nimrods, I nearly wangled a trip in a visiting sqds aircraft, but as I was getting ready it went U/S and by the time it was fixed it was to late as they were going back to blighty.

Mind you, sat on a SAR night shift and they had a lightning on the engine running pan (now bearing in mind I was only young and had not seen aircraft with reheat at night ) so there I was on our flight line watching the lightning doing its bit when this big sheet of flame shot out of the back and stayed there, my did the fireman and the lightning guys take the mick having phoned to report an aircraft fire

[Saracenman]

last departure or not - THAT'S a Lightning departure!!!!!!!!!

[RLN]

I still want one!

[Saracenman]

RLN - make that bloody commitment, sell the family - GET DOWN TO SA sharpish!

[RLN]

RLN - make that bloody commitment, sell the family - GET DOWN TO SA sharpish!

I'll put them on Ebay tomorrow

[Saracenman]

[RLN]

Stop it

[Saracenman]

best leave it at that RLN - before i do a sex wee

[RLN]

Too late

[Saracenman]

for wiping away the tears of joy mate

[Wedgy]

[Saracenman]

i think I've made this comment to you before but....

i know what you mean re your mates out clubbing - i was the same, but my mad machines were buses, fire engines and armoured vehicles! at fourteen i was taking engines out of Routemasters!

sm

[Dan4th]

Loss for words

Loss for words

Loss for words

Loss for words

Loss for words

I'll think of something..........

D.

[Gully]

A Lightning's lot at Brunty prior to the Q-shed (taken Oct '06)...





Gully

[Saracenman]

blimey - that looks SO dated now doesn't it!

[Saracenman]

320 - just been looking at Airliners.net and this came up....


Boscombe Down 1985

XS422 Of the Empire Test Pilots School coming in to land at Boscombe Down. This aircraft is now registered in the USA as N422XS and is being restored to airworthy condition.

that's nonsense surely 320?

sm

[Mayfly]

haven't read it but this might throw some light on the matter SM


http://www.lightning422supporters.co.uk ... /Jul08.pdf

[Gully]

Have a read of this SM, last updated Dec '08: http://www.lightning422supporters.co.uk/pages/html/welc.htm

Gully

[Saracenman]

thanks guys! Mayfly's link is particularly good - pictures etc.

i had NO idea that this was underway - it would appear that 320 and LPG know all about it and are very much involved!

no timescale on 422's return to flight - but what cracking news!

there you RLN - another holiday destination to consider

big question for our resident expert is - WILL THEY ACTUALLY DO IT???? what say you 320?

sm

[Mayfly]

must admit I didn't know about it either but will look out for them at Waddington this year if they are going to be there

[320psi]

320 - just been looking at Airliners.net and this came up....


Boscombe Down 1985

XS422 Of the Empire Test Pilots School coming in to land at Boscombe Down. This aircraft is now registered in the USA as N422XS and is being restored to airworthy condition.

that's nonsense surely 320?

sm

Hi sm and all, yeh the AALO and 422, ummmmmm, they have been at it for 15 years, basing their spares inventory at Brunty in 3 curtain sided trailors, and going out there to work on her in 2 week blocks twice a year, with no serious money backing and no large spares backup, ie engines, ATGB's, jet pipes, oles, tyres, brakes, chutes, hyd pumps, reheat pumps, oh and the two recent hurricans in that area of the US has decimated the local infrastructure and comunity ......................................... are ou getting my drift

Look at the big list of things they want, very basic items really, for instance a wheel change jack, I mean, if you anit got stuff like that at this stage you anit going nowhere

We know them all very well and get on famously, been out there myself to help out, but its so far away in a land where no one cares about some 'British' cold war unsung hero, look at the shack that has been out there for all these years and is now in a desert bone yard, and thats an aircraft that was well known

Sorry to sound 'not me' but its a 'no goer' from where I stand, and Im 'lighnting' though and though