English Electric – Lightning XS458

Following on from Darrens post earlier in the month, I too was fortunate enough to be invited down to Cranfield to see XS458 bought out to play.

She was scheduled to do a high speed run and reheat run in the morning, and a second high speed run in the afternoon. After a little persuasion, and a little greasing of the palm, a second reheat run was carried out in the afternoon as well.

Yours truly had the honour of picking out the name for the first pax seat on the high speed runs, and managed to pluck out Wamjets name, I don’t think his grin has subsided yet, well it certainly hadn’t when I dropped him off at home 😉

Had a great day, was good meeting new faces, and I’d certainly recommend it if you get the opportunity.

Thanks to Russ and the crew for a great time!

Cold end.

Hot end.

The face says it all…….

The beam even made it through the canopy.

Back Taxi

Turning at the threshold

Hot shot ignition of reheat

Reheat

Chute deployed

The office

Lightning Sqns.

Taxi in after afternoons high speed run.

Turn for positioning for second reheat run.

No 2 engine in reheat, approx £150 in a couple of seconds.

Positioning for final shots of the day

Dennis, the pilot

Thanks for looking.