Ok fellow forumites hands up all of you who have drooled over “static” English Electric Lightnings in museum’s, at airshows or the odd gate guard? and wished you could travel back to the 60’s and 70’s and change places with the men who used to thunder down the runway, stand the aircraft on it’s tail and go ballistic to 50’000ft.
how many of you have harboured dreams of actually having a run in a “live” lightning?
Imagine being sat at the end of the runway in this truely iconic aircraft ready for a high speed taxy run, throttles at 100%, brakes off then full reheat for 5-6 seconds!!!
The atmosphere is electric, the sound ear splitting and the acceleration brutal. It really is an experience you will never ever forget (I won’t).
since the sad loss of Dave Stock and XS451 right now the only place in the whole world where you can personally experience the awesome power of the last all british fighter aircraft is Cranfield (yes right here in the UK).
yesterday (12/12/09) Russell Carpenter’s gorgeous T5 XS458 performed two terrific high speed runs and an absolutely awesome static reheat display.
Russell and his team keep her in beautiful condition and along with pilot dennis Brooks keep this wonderful aircraft not only in the public eye but available to anyone willing to take the bull by the horns and do something that very few people in the world have done.
XS458 is now resting over the winter for routine maintenance etc and will be running again in April 2010.
anyone wishing to experience the thrill of a lifetime in the best aircraft ever built should contact Russell and get their name on the list for next year.
Thank you Russell and the whole team for doing what you do and all the best for 2010.
By: bocar - 27th December 2009 at 12:09
xs 458 finale 12th dec 2009
i would like to personally thank everyone who has come up to cranfield in 2009 and supported my lightning with out all you dedicated people i would not be able to have successful high speed run days. 458 is now in bed untill april 2010 when im hoping to start high speed runs again but this will be subject to ongoing maintence, avpin supply,and finance
458 finale on 12th dec was a day of high drama, noise, a awsome display of power with everyone high on adrenaline
unfortunately after one touch of the button start we lost the no 1 reheat on first run with lost of foward inertial chute failed to deploy, but after a ear spliiting stactic reheat with no 1 reheat back to full health now she was ready for the second run in the twilight where dennis gave us all a truly awsome display of power with two magnificent reheats and a good chute i will look forward to seeing you all again in 2010
happy new year best regards russell carpenter
By: ollieholmes - 24th December 2009 at 21:30
I hope to make it over sometime this year.
By: XL569 - 24th December 2009 at 03:38
There’s something about the lightning at sunset….
Happy Christmas to the team on 458 and looking forward to next year.
Blimey that looks a bit tasty, wish mine had come out like that. I’ll have to post a few of my shots when i get the chance.
By: mike currill - 19th December 2009 at 13:04
That’s the spirit Naisho966, if santa doesn’t come up trumps save your pennies and contact Russell for a run next year 😀
I can promise you it really is a chance in a lifetime experience and well worth the money.
Only beaten by actually being airborne in one. You can keep your roller coasters my friend give me a fast jet any day:D
By: handy1andy - 19th December 2009 at 12:23
XS458
XS458 taxis out at cranfield
By: HuwJHopkins - 17th December 2009 at 14:27
There’s something about the lightning at sunset….
Happy Christmas to the team on 458 and looking forward to next year.
Blimey Darren, thats absolutely stunning!!!
Would just like to echo everyones words so far, what a brilliant opportunity the 458 team offer to us lot. Here’s to their 2010 events. I’ll have to go yet again because unfortunately my memory card corrupted all of the shots with the ‘BBQ’ lit! Well, like I really need an excuse to go again:p
Cheers, Huw:)
By: darrenharbar - 17th December 2009 at 13:50
There’s something about the lightning at sunset….
Happy Christmas to the team on 458 and looking forward to next year.
By: Chox - 17th December 2009 at 13:05
Fans of 458 might care to note that I’ve written an account of a passenger ride in that very aircraft in my recent Lightning book published by Ian Allan. Also includes some pictures of 458 in various guises over the years – plus a whole book on the Lightning!
…and no I’m not on commission, just thought some of you might be interested!;)
By: handy1andy - 16th December 2009 at 23:07
loud
http://forum.keypublishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179743&stc=1&d=1261004252[IMG]
this is what you are missing.
By: Nashio966 - 15th December 2009 at 19:25
how much would i be looking at? do you know? pm me if you would rather 🙂
Cheers
Ben
By: lighty - 15th December 2009 at 19:19
you know you want too!
That’s the spirit Naisho966, if santa doesn’t come up trumps save your pennies and contact Russell for a run next year 😀
I can promise you it really is a chance in a lifetime experience and well worth the money.
By: Nashio966 - 15th December 2009 at 17:21
is this a chance to sit in the passengers seat for a run next year?
if so….
“Dear Father Christmas, please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please….!”
:diablo:
By: Newforest - 15th December 2009 at 15:33
And I was expecting a compliment for LHR, fat chance I know!:D
By: XM172 - 15th December 2009 at 14:26
Totally Agree
Totally agree!
‘Bin there, done that’ and it WAS truely awesome as you say.
Help keep this living, breathing TBird alive and support Russell and his team next year.
Well Lightning buffs, its certainly worth the money for the unique experience so go for it…. next …Thunder City and/or Stennis.
Fly Safe, Happy Christmas.
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December 13, 2009 at 6:51 pm