Another for the Parafin Heads!

last one…

And this one’s from 1980….I’ll see if I can find something better

Here’s a couple from the archives… The first is at Alconbury Open Day, 1982

My French is of the long forgotten schoolboy variety, but haven’t they got the ceiling a bit wrong?
By my calculations, 11,000m is about 36,000ft. Surely the Lightning’s ceiling was more like 60,000ft.
Did it vary from mark to mark?

Stumbled across this site today…

http://www.chez.com/stef76/aviation/anglais/lightning.htm

They have a few pictures like this one —

Cheers

Mark

…

Previous pic: ‘go on, just a little bit closer’…

More..

…

Binbrook

and another…

A few more pic’s from Binbrook.

Well, finally got the scanner working and located these… About time I posted some snaps. Binbrook, the Last Lightning Show, very wet!

Alistair

Can’t recall the Ser No of this one, Rolls Royce took the picture as a PR job.

Dave , you didn’t record the serial no of the Lightning in the photo did you ?? , I wonder what her fate was ?? , great photo !!

Hi Lightning

5 Squdron was 706’s last frontline unit before she went to the LTF so it was an easy choice, plus there are two many 11 squdron Lightnings in yorkshire already.

scott c

Wise man, always best to put the senior Sqdn markings on.
( stand by for incoming flack !!!! )

OK I’ll do my best but due to this being so long ago it will be sketchy and not very accurate.

Firstly It is me standing 3rd from the left, just after doing my bit and the No2 Avon was removed from its bay. Might I add that it was a real pain this one and also the fact it was not a 5 Sqdn kite made it even less exciting. This was not a normal activity out on Gun Firing practise in Cyprus, based at RAF Akrotiri on an annual basis.

As you probably know, the Engines on Lightnings are like under and over barrels on a shotgun, the No1 engine being the bottom one and a bit easier to remove. The aircraft is jacked up before anything else happens. So firstly the top hatch has to be removed, then all the engine services ie: fuel pipes, igniter plugs, firewire connections. Various couplings and fixings are then removed.

When all the preparation has been carried out, the Crane is called upon to do its bit and duly arrives at the site. the crane having been attached to the engine, the strain is taken up and the final engine mounting bolts removed. The hardest bit now follows and the crane very slowly begins to lift the engine. Lots of pushing and pulling follows as the engine has to be manhandled to clear itself from the front of the bay as the engine starter is located under the rest of the airframe and not just a straight lift out. When this has been done and the engine clear to lift further till free of the bay, this is where it is hoisted to a few feet above the bay and the only way for me to access the few remaining electrical plugs which of course are always relocked too.

So after cutting or ripping my hands on the wire-locking and unscrewing the plugs, whilst my arm is still in position under the engine and above the engine bay, all is free to hoist clear and eventually lower to an awaiting cradle on the ground, Phew that was hot work.

Do not quote this as gospel as it is so long since I did this job. I’m sure you are all totally amazed by now. And thanks for encouraging me in this venture.

Hi Lightning

Once ive rebuilt my F.3 its going back in its 5 Squdron markings

Great site !! , start reading the BrownBiscuits stories , I haven’t managed to do any work since Monday as I’m too busy laughing at them .
David what about sticking the Lightning engine change photo on the Forum and talking us through how it was done ???? , any anecdotes would be more than welcome here !!

Hi scott c

Unfotunately I don’t have any exciting Lightning pics like you suggested, but if anyone wants to send me some I will put them on my site if suitable ( prefer 5 Sqdn kites though ) as this is a 5 Squadron site.

Hi Guys

Anybody got anymore interesting Lightning pics ,like the F.6 doing a low pass over the barrier and blowing it down. Or any prangs.

Great website David , I’ve just spent the last hour and a half reading the story archives , bloody funny , good photos too .

Website

Hi Alistair

My Website is a click on the WWW button at the bottom of my post.

But I’ll put it here for you.

http://www.davidwevans.co.uk

Cheers