I'm a big fan of the Lightning, I believe they are not allowed to fly in the UK, I saw a piece on a guy that owns one and all he does is go up and down a runway in it as he is not allowed to fly it, well actually his pilot can't because he can't fly!!!!
No. Its primary role was as part of a nuclear strike capability meant to deter the Soviet Union, and in that respect it was successful. The only time it was used in anger was to crater the runway at Stanley, it it killed or maimed at the same time it was a secondary effect. It is an awesome sight and sound though
I remember once rock climbing in Glen Nevis and looking down on a Buccaneer flying low level through the glen with vapour trails streaming off it's wingtips (Glen Nevis is TIGHT). On another occasion skiing at the Lecht a gaggle of about 6 Buccaneers flew over the crest, the first 5 went over wings level but the last one rolled inverted, crested the ridge and pulled back before rolling vertical again, all at about 100ft (!) over the crest.
We've got a Lancaster bomber parked up out side our workshop its down here for the Bournemouth air show Watched the sea vixen take off for the first time last week after landing last year where the nose wheel didn't lock down ....oops
There's a Vulcan B.2 at Newark Air Museum. Last time I was there (quite a few years ago) visitors were allowed to climb inside: Newark Air Museum Aircraft List We often see a Spitfire in the sky at weekends, I understand it may be owned by Rolls Royce & is kept at East Midlands Airport. I'll try to get some photos next time the Spitfire is up, and post them on here. Sounds like it has a Rolls Royce Merlin engine.
Donkey's years ago I went to RNAS Yeovilton ,Sea Vixen's were just being replaced by the Phantom then and we saw both flying at the same time. A school mate's dad had got permission to visit the museum (which if I remember correctly was just two old hangers then) and he had 2 spare place's in his mini,one of which was taken my me. We turned up at Yeovilton and were given a bunch of key's.The guy waved at the two hanger's and said 'dont forget to turn the light's off and lock up when you've finished'. We three kid's and my mate's dad climbed on,sat in and had the run of the place for most of the day. In those day's it was just the RNAS's collection of old aircraft,I wonder what the chance of doing that now would be..!
Where the Lightening is concerned the CAA wont give it a permit to fly because of its engine arrangement. For some reason I cannot recall one engine on top of another is dangerous whereas side by side isn't
The Vulcan was awesome at Fairford this year ! I was at the end of the runway when it came to a halt to park up. To think they still throw that thing around is quite amazing considering it's age and size. The sound is fantastic
Doesn't make sense that ruling does it?..........I'm just as dangerous with a side by side as with an over under.
Are there still any flying Wellingtons? My primary school was built pretty much on their old WW2 airbase at Harwell (now, or was, AERE Harwell).
On the lightning, I remember years ago talking to an Rolls Royce guy. He was telling me that the Lightning could not fly on one engine, if it lost one it was on borrowed time. Don't know the truth or facts but I was also told only one pilot ever managed to land one on one engine. He crash landed it in a field because he couldn't eject, his seat malfunctioned. It turned out the ejection seat was locked out as the canopy was malfunctioning. As the aircraft came to rest it was jolted and the canopy moved, but didn't come off, the canopy limit switch was released and the ejection seat fired and killed him. The RR guy also said the engine arrangement was an absolute "front bottom" to work on. The only other assumption I can think of for banning it due to engine config was if there was a fluid leak on the top engine, the bottom would also get damaged. The close coupling would also mean a catastrophic engine failure, like turbine or compressor blade failures would probably lead to the other engine getting taken out as well. Another event was the engineering officer who was investigating a fault, think it was something to do with instrumentation and only occurred at higher engine settings, he was on the runway in the cockpit running the engine up and down trying to find this fault, head down watching instruments. Not sure exactly what happened but he was aware of vibration, looked up and found himself hurtling down the runway and heading for a fuel bowser. He just pulled on the stick and took off. To make matters worse the canopy had also been removed to give him room to work. He landed successfully after getting talked down by a pilot after multiple attempts. Can you imagine going back the wife and her asking you about your day!!! It also had a horrifically high landing speed, in RAF circles it was known as the frightening. John
You can't see the Lightning fly in South Africa now either. Thunder City who were operating the Lightnings have ceased flying after a crash at an airshow and the accident investigation found major shortcomings in the maintenance programme of the aircraft. The aircraft were put up for auction but I don't know if they were sold. I believe there is a group in America who are restoring one to flight. Here's a pic of the Vulcan I took a couple of weeks ago:
I believe the rate at which fuel was used on the Lightning was an issue with pilots looking to top up after about 20 mins of flight. "front bottom" , never heard that one before, lol.
That's quite sad. Although they were engines of war made for flattening places, you'd have hoped that there would still be one or two preserved and flying about. They must have made enough of them at the time. But I think you're right. I've never heard of a flying Wellington. It's a bit sad that all the best planes are warplanes, isn't it?
No, but there is a static 1939 Vickers Wellington on display in the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge. You can go right inside. Brooklands Museum
I didn't see it but at the Newcastle co down air show the Vulcan flew in from the valley of donard mountain and banked over Newcastle, my little sis said it was really spectacular........also there are still wellingtons flying in the uk,at our rugby club fun raising days.
When I first started riding bikes I used tobride out to Scampton and sit under the landing lights and watch the Vulcans doing circuits and bumps. I used to se them day in day out. It proves the saying you don't realise how good something is until its gone
