Exotic Lightnings?

I’m ahead of you on that one – Adrian has already said to me that there’s definitely a problem finding any images that haven’t been seen before! Have to agree, but you never know… somewhere out there, buried in a loft…

Well one can always hope!

Perhaps said archives of A M Balch might be worth looking into. ALBERT Ross who posts here has an extensive collection of photographs. Perhaps it might be worth PM ing him and he might even know A M Balch.

Just a thought.

Regards,

kev35

Ah, sorry, misunderstood you! Yes, I see what you mean, the dates don’t tally. The fancy markings on the T5’s must have been applied at Coltishall rather than MSG then – but only for a few months?

Still not sure on this one. The RAF left MSG in April 1964 but I understood that the first production T.5’s were not delivered until April 1965 by which time the OCU was at Coltishall.

Peter

The T5’s only started to arrive at MSG shortly before they moved to Coltishall. The few photographs I’ve seen suggest that only a few of them actually received the dayglow orange bands, as the fancy markings were all removed shortly after arrival at Coltishall and later deliveries only got the later paint scheme. I noted one book reference which suggests that some of the T5’s might have had gloss red bands but I’ve seen no evidence to support this – think it’s an urban myth. I have received one photo which shows that at least one T5 managed to retain the dayglow bands after transfer to 5 Sqn.

Fascinating period and it’s a shame that so few photographs survive from the Lightning’s most colourful period.

I recall T.4’s at MSG, but not T.5’s

Peter

I have a b&w neg with the side view and cockpit canopy open, from Akrotiri Stn flt. of XS452. Do you already have that one? also have six others of XS452 dated from 1968-1981, at other places. As for the T5s from Middleton St.George, do you know any of the ID numbers before I look through more. Hope to do some scanning of negs over the weekend

XS452 Pink Tail

You could try Ian Black’s excellent book Lightning by Airlife. There is a picture of it being towed in having burst a tyre on Landing at Binbrook. Also during the period i think Aviation News had a shot of it taken on the Ramp at Akrotiri. rgds

True, I guess I should have added that I meant shots that haven’t already been seen in print quite a few times! So far I think the ASF Lightning has appeared in just three photos – the OCU machines about the same. I’m convinced there must be more pictures out there – somewhere!:)

Chox,

Richard L Wards book, Lightning Squadrons of the Royal Air Force has both pictures you are looking for, the copyright for both pictures is quoted as A.M. Balch Archives.

HTH.

John.