19 years ago today

Andy, youre most welcome for the pat on the back, its well deserved. In ’88 I was 14 and thought all Id see in the future would be static lifeless Lightnings or chopped up cockpits, teams like yours have proved that classic Ladies can be kept alive safely.

As for 1 outta 2 aint bad I was originally under the impression that a return to flight was the aim of the LPG, hence wings clipped and still stretch her legs just a bit of a brain f@rt on my part, sorry for that.

Thanks for explaing the Radar “Boot” and well Im amazed that such a system was used in such a super fast aircraft, as if the pilots didnt have enough to do keeping themselves alive, no wonder the Frightning Drivers were Top Notch Pilots.

Bex

Hi Bex, no worries, its just been my ‘hobby’ for 20 years, I was only 20 in 88 when the LPG was formed by a few die hard ‘crash gate 3er’s’ so Ive kind of grown up with it.

We have never been in the ‘game’ of a return to flight for either of our two aircraft, the aim was to preserve an airframe, the engine running and fast taxying came along the way, this will ultimately end one day soon and we will retire them both to the QRA hanger and stand back and say, ‘that was fun’ 😀
It was and is always going to be a Saturday aftenoon hobby for all of us.

Yes the Lightning pilots were always the cream of the crop.
The lightning cockpit has a very high work load, even when its stationary with one engine running 😀

Cheers

Bex, many thanks for pat on the back.

Actually its wasnt to tear jerking, the aim of the LPG from day one was to preserve a Lightning, which when she arrived all those years ago was the major objective achived, it was a relief that she didnt end up like the others, upside down, like a dead insect being ripped apart.

The rest is as they say ‘history’ 😀

What do you mean 1 otta 2 aint bad ?

The ‘Rubber thingy’ as you so techincally put it is the radar ‘boot’, the pilot would unclip it, fold it down and then be able to pear down to view the radar screen, not the easiest of things to do, mind you what am I saying nothing on a Lightning is easy 😀

Cheers and hope to see you in July

Andy, youre most welcome for the pat on the back, its well deserved. In ’88 I was 14 and thought all Id see in the future would be static lifeless Lightnings or chopped up cockpits, teams like yours have proved that classic Ladies can be kept alive safely.

As for 1 outta 2 aint bad I was originally under the impression that a return to flight was the aim of the LPG, hence wings clipped and still stretch her legs just a bit of a brain f@rt on my part, sorry for that.

Thanks for explaing the Radar “Boot” and well Im amazed that such a system was used in such a super fast aircraft, as if the pilots didnt have enough to do keeping themselves alive, no wonder the Frightning Drivers were Top Notch Pilots.

Bex

Andy what can I say? Other than bl00dy well done to your team past & present for all your hard work. It must have been heartbreaking to see her land knowing she’d have her wings clipped. Atleast she can still stretch her legs, 1 outta 2 aint bad 😀 Oh, in the photo of the cockpit, theres a “Rubber thingy” bent upwards on the starbard side level with the gunsight. Bex

Bex, many thanks for pat on the back.

Actually its wasnt to tear jerking, the aim of the LPG from day one was to preserve a Lightning, which when she arrived all those years ago was the major objective achived, it was a relief that she didnt end up like the others, upside down, like a dead insect being ripped apart.

The rest is as they say ‘history’ 😀

What do you mean 1 otta 2 aint bad ?

The ‘Rubber thingy’ as you so techincally put it is the radar ‘boot’, the pilot would unclip it, fold it down and then be able to pear down to view the radar screen, not the easiest of things to do, mind you what am I saying nothing on a Lightning is easy 😀

Cheers and hope to see you in July

Andy what can I say? Other than bl00dy well done to your team past & present for all your hard work. It must have been heartbreaking to see her land knowing she’d have her wings clipped. Atleast she can still stretch her legs, 1 outta 2 aint bad 😀 Oh, in the photo of the cockpit, theres a “Rubber thingy” bent upwards on the starbard side level with the gunsight. Bex

Wonder where the QRA Metro went… great photos and I have to say that you guys do a brilliant job…. well done so far. Here’s to the next 19 years!:cool:

Ive no doubt it went where all the others went 😀

Wonder where the QRA Metro went… great photos and I have to say that you guys do a brilliant job…. well done so far. Here’s to the next 19 years!:cool:

Thanks John, we do ‘try’

I bet it smelt beautifull, sticking your nose in the cockpit and grabbing a nosefull of Lightning.

It can never be said enough that ALL of you, LPG, Bucc boys, Beach restorations and all the other little groups and individuals that make up the collective at Bruntingthorpe do the BEST service to the preservation of these jets that is totally above and beyond the call of duty.

As always keep up the good work and as long as the gates are open we WILL be there.

All the best,

John.