LPG Twilight reheat run

[RLN]

Nice one, Cluny

[Hihonyr8811]

Vids here
Sorry about the poor quality , my camera doesn't like dark conditions plus i had to photoshop [well the video equivalent] it to near death so you can see anything


Thank you Andy and the rest of the LPG for yet another fantastic day

As I said on it, amazing

If you think yours is bad (which it isn't ) wait till you see mine lol













Then I worked out the settings on my camera

[Code monkey]

A superb 'display' from the LPG guys today - many, many thanks.

Fully support your decision re: future runs and I hope to see living lightnings for many more years to come. Well done to all involved in keeping these beautifull aircraft alive for us to enjoy.

Best wishes for 2010 and beyond,

Dave

ps: Hi Paul, Aggy et al, sorry i didn't get to say hello today.

[RLN]

All my photos were blurred except these - even had some of the Guppy flight deck

[320psi]

Hi all, just got in from the pub and the drive back

There was a great group atmosphere round the long table at the Shires, all red faced, smiling, laughing and talking about the days events, we are as much in awe of these beast as everyone, thats why we brought 'em' in the first place

Firstly sorry to all who came for me not having much time to chat, RLN it was good to meet you, sorry if I missed anyone else.
You got me I see talking to Mark Rumble on the ladder

My 'oppo' of 21 years, Jim, who I usually share all the preping and running issues with wasnt able to be there, he wasnt at all well, so all responsiblity sat squarely on my shoulders, and when she wouldnt go due to cold acc batteries everyone looked at me, made a quick decision, 'go get the 28v 'ground set' its was a tense few minutes I can tell you, all the crowds eyes on us, it could have been other things more serious, but didnt she go eh, blimmey took me back as well, and racing up after her to check brakes and collect the chute, wow what a sight she was sitting there shimmering, both engines ticking over, lights on, John with a big daft smile on his face, wonderfull
I waved him off and we followed her back, makes all the stress and hard work worth while

All that work and blood loss last year on 728 has certainly payed off, but theres more to do, it dont stop there

Thanks Cluny and Helen for you pics, super

Lovely to see so many smiling faces there must be some great pics and videos out there.

And the weather held, very little wind, no rain, no snow, just perfect

I do hope you all thought our minutes silence for Dave Stock was a good move, Im sure he would have like what we did today

Its with great pleasure that I can tell you we now have the cash in the 'pot' to get those doors on, just waiting the stuff from Leuchars, and as soon as its 'lands' at Brunty, the call will be made to the doors contrators, so I would guess they might well be on site in the next month, be nice to have them on for Xmas, but, well we shall see, we have waited long enough.

Back cladding next, 'just' another £3000, easy

Im still buzzing, what a day

[Xplumberlives]

Well done Andy and team!

[Coastergirl]

Fantastic day!

I have been to some great displays, wonderful airshows etc - but I have to say, the sight of an English Electric Lightning, streaming down the runway at 120mph with both burners alight, is unparalleled for sheer 'wow' factor. The whole airfield vibrates and shakes while the aircraft is storming along, you can feel it in your chest, through your feet (even when you have got Garry's wellies on, lol!) and when you realise how close you are standing to what is actually occurring, it is mindblowing!

Garry took a video with our camcorder, but it will take a while to edit/upload but in the meantime here is my paltry effort, using my little and ancient Canon Point and Shoot; the footage is grainy and dark, and the detail is almost non-existant (esp in the darker, second run) but you can tell what it is, and what is happening. Look out for the grin on Andy's face at about 2:15 minutes in

Here's the linkydoo if you want to watch it in a larger screen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76xcLr77dDo and here is the clip embedded here:



(it says it is still processing so quality may improve eventually, lol, don't hold your breath eh? ha ha)

And here are some photos from today

The inside of the Q-shed, with the sides including windows - it looks incredible!


The Q-shed:


Some of us exploring the Cold War Jets collection... L - R: Gregg (Bubbles), Martyn (RLN), Paul (Cluny) and Garry (Checkflaps)...


The Q-shed as seen from the CWJ, with 728 being brought out in advance of the run...


Cluny.... that tuft of grey hair is in fact the label from his cap - took me ages to realise that though!


Ready to go!


An empty runway, waiting for its aircraft...


Andy retrieving the mince pies from the 600-degree jet pipe hehehehe... they were yummy!


As you can see, a fab day! It was lovely to see all of you again, and brilliant that we were able to catch up, albeit briefly, with the folks from the VTSC AGM; sorry we didn't get more chance to chat.

Thank you Andy for letting us 'in'; it is, as always, a complete pleasure.

Love CG x

[Pujgnie]

Congratulations to Andy and the LPG team. Well done

Sounds like you all had a great time... and wonderful news regarding the rear doors

[Spitfire]

Andy - daft question ............

Why does the top afterburner when lit look like a neat 'blowtorch' flame .. and the bottom one look much bigger but 'ragged' and sort of ... welll.. all over the place??

Is it a trick of the filming or is there some technical but stupidly easy explanation

[320psi]

Andy - daft question ............

Why does the top afterburner when lit look like a neat 'blowtorch' flame .. and the bottom one look much bigger but 'ragged' and sort of ... welll.. all over the place??

Is it a trick of the filming or is there some technical but stupidly easy explanation

Spitfire, not a daft question at all, a very reasonable one

Its the No2 engine RFCU (reheat fuel control unit) which is on the engine and to fix it we need to pull the engine, and get the engine overhauled (ummmmm) cost 15 - 25k

We have been working on the No2 reheat for about 5 years on and off, pipe pulls to get at things to test them and check them, we have been though the reheat system over and over again, and each time we try a fix its another wing full of fuel to test out the 'fix' or not (£1000).
We are getting there though, as 5 years ago we had no reheat on the No2 engine at all, as this probelm isnt just one thing, Lightnings arent like that, most snags have a least 3-4 things that are playing you up, and its a matter of working though the system, canceling out the bugs, but, as we are only weekend 'fixers' and other things take our time up, sometimes the system gets another fault in mid 'fix', if you see what I mean
It can be very very very anoying

We have now decided to leave this issue, its not a problem, just the fuel pressure is weaker on the No2 burner, basiclly its works and its works safely, we are even closer, as last time out it was tending to time out and cancel its self, today John cancled the burners, so we are getting there
This imperfect burner pattern happened many times even in RAF service, they were very rarely perfect.

I can almost be sure next time out she will do something different, LIGHTNINGS ! Im afraid

The old saying is very apt, 'theres aircraft and then theres Lightnings'



GC and Gary, thanks for the pics, but that one of me with the mince pies, ummmmmm, oh dear me !

They were lovely, done to a 'turn' really warm with a nice hint of avtur, see what 700 degrees C jet pipe can do, mind you its not a cheap way to warm mince pies up, but good fun, been doing that for years after a cold winters day antidet run

[Pujgnie]

Ok another dumbo Q from moi... as per usual

Why are there little or no re-heat rings on the older aircraft. Typhoon and Tornado show them off pretty well on afterburn take offs - or is it to do with atmospherics ?

[320psi]

Ok another dumbo Q from moi... as per usual

Why are there little or no re-heat rings on the older aircraft. Typhoon and Tornado show them off pretty well on afterburn take offs - or is it to do with atmospherics ?

Ummmm, Ive found over the years is does depend on 'atmospherics' as you say and light conditions, last time out, 3 weeks agao when we antidet ran her and did another check, the rings and diamonds were 'dancing' nicely


Some cameras dont pick them up either

[Thumper]

Wonderful videos and photos, thank you everyone for posting them up so quickly Helen I love your commentary, I was waiting for the camera to be violently beaten

I missed a really great day out by all accounts so I cannot wait for next year.

Well done to everyone at the LPG for a lovely tribute to Dave, he obviously sorted the weather out for you and was smiling from above

[RLN]

Wonderful videos and photos, thank you everyone for posting them up so quickly Helen I love your commentary, I was waiting for the camera to be violently beaten

I missed a really great day out by all accounts so I cannot wait for next year.

Well done to everyone at the LPG for a lovely tribute to Dave, he obviously sorted the weather out for you and was smiling from above

Nicely put, Helen. I'm sure you are right - the minute's silence was quite poignant.

[MadNaddy]

Well Done Andy & Co. Another fantastic day.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their Vids and pics

[Mags]

Enjoyed the vids n pics

Hope to get along to one next year!

LOL - at the "oven" for the mince pies

[320psi]

Film of the yesterdays run's from 'our' man with the camera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88481JKJ9sM

[Mayfly]

pleased it all went well & a good time was had by all!

[Dan4th]

Just Beautiful!

And that goes for Cluny, Hony, CG and CF, Too!

Danf.

[Mackrick]

Andy and LPG well done to all... lovely photos and videos thanks everyone for sharing them...

[320psi]

Another nice film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlUH9lhc ... r_embedded

[Mayfly]

Oooo nice vid - thanks for the link Andy

[Dan4th]

Somehow, the word "Superb" just
doesn't seem adequate......

Danf.

[Jigsaw]

[RLN]

You're right Danforth, it isn't. There seemed to be something in the air yesterday; whether it was the relief at the 3rd time lucky start or something else, I don't know. There seemed to be an atmosphere in the air that I haven't felt at Brunty before, and when both burners behaved themselves it was quite a moment.

I want one