Lightning XR724 (2007 thread)

Oops, forgot to get the begging bowl out..

Aircraft restoration isnt cheap, we need help from any quarter to buy bits, fuel, Nitrogen etc etc 

We have the obligatory GoFundMe fund to give you the opportunity to donate wildly towards the preservation of the only complete Lightning at its former operating base: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/an-aircraft-shelter-for-lightning-XR724

And while we are on, here’s a few things we need:

Red top or Firestreak missile in any condition

Aircraft Nose Jack,

Wing Jacking point adaptors

HEIU

Canopy Access panel, (Ours has “disappeared”)…

Any other Lightning bits are always considered – electrical especially.

Update for April 2024:

Things are progressing well now the shelter is established although the Binbrook weather isnt kind to us at all!

The shelter now has lighting from a solar powered installation, a fabulous improvement over past “facilities”.  We have almost finshed developing a Teabar for crew and visitors alike.

724 has been fighting us all the way, we have had numerous electrical issues, hardly surprising given she has been outside for 30 years. Undervoltage relays, fuel transfer cocks, fuel gauging amplifiers and a long list of other issues have all been overcome.

Hydraulics leaks are also showing their hand, first Airbrake swivel joints have been overheauled and now Flap swivel joints are needing attention.

Paintwork is progressing well, Steve, Graham and others have the airframe 30% in primer and 50% ready to prime, the remaining 20% will be be prepared shortly.  The aim is have the top coat applied by the end of summer when the temperature is on our side for painting.

Engines have been looked over, regularly spun and so far so good, are in good condition.  No1 reheat pipe has been replaced due to a small crack and seized nozzle control ring gear.  All is now installed and in good condition.

Volunteers from RAF Coningsby have helped us in many many ways including the tyre bay assisting us in assembling new wheels and James, who with assistance from our team completed a repair to the Port tailplane and has other skin repairs on his list in the future – Thanks James!

So, 2024 is shaping up to be an eventful year for 724 after too long in the doldrums..

Open days soon!

Cheers,

Brilliant job guys.. will make working on her in bad weather more inviting and help preserve her long term

From our facebook page:

We are thrilled to announce that today West Lindsey DC granted Planning approval for a shelter to house XR724 in its current location!

For the first time since she flew home in 1992, she will have a roof over her head of her own with no threat of eviction!

We would like to thank those that responded to the planning application, including those close to home that objected.

We would like to thank  those who have dug deep and chipped in to make this dream a reality! Its all of our Christmases come true!!

Construction will begin soonest – we are keen!!!!

We still need to kit out the shelter and would welcome any donations to support her new support building. Feel free to add to our GoFundMe appeal: https://www.gofundme.com/f/an-aircraft-shelter-for-lightning-xr724

and for all those interested, follow our progress here : https://www.facebook.com/100063629138026/posts/pfbid02ggueDa9w6KC3KjRP7…

I thought we ought to update you all on 724’s progress of late.

Hydraulics ran and tested in early 22, all good with only minor snags (1 unimportant accumulator leak).

Fuel LP and HP tested Jan 22 – no faults.

Starter failsafes checked out on both engines Jan 22.

Refitting No1 reheat pipe and Radar bullet in Feb then the fun starts..

Big news will be announced in the next 2 weeks.. it will be shouted out loud too!

Cheers

Jon

Fantastic news well done, and please keep us updated.

Brilliant news , well done to all concerned

As a member of her maintenance team i thought id offer an update on her care, condition and our plans.

As you will undoubtedly be aware, 724’s tenure at BK hasnt been easy to maintain.

Hangarage and shelter is at a premium and its simply been impossible to get. 

Since 2016 we have rebuilt the group to a regular 15-20 attendees each month.

This month for example we tested the final of her 3 hydraulic systems with a hyd rig and all tested 100%. See the report on our Facebook blog: https://www.facebook.com/XR724

The plan is to get her no1 engine running later this year and the proceed to no2 immediately afterwards.

There is other BIG news shortly to follow, but we will update you all very soon on FB.

There is a big light at the end of the tunnel for 724

Thanks

Nearly a year on. Any updates?

After reading through the thread I too would be grateful to read any updates.

I take it that not much has changed ?

I only as as my wife’s cousin moved from Catterick to Binbrook earlier this year, and drove to the airfield the other day.
He was asking me about the lightning there, which was still covered up.
I’ve read the story about it, and it seems to have had a series of problems over the years, merely trying to exist
at the airfield. After all of the effort in getting it there, I hope it has a good future.

Nothing left of Raf Binbrooks once mighty ramp!

Yes it is – visit the Wattisham museum website and book yourself on one of the monthly open days!

Would love to see a lightning at the Wattisham museum. Not sure that the airfield is up to taxiing as it is still operational, but the hunter & phantom seem to be getting good care & covered storage.

Is the Wattisham museum open to the public?

RAF Binbrook Heritage Centre site preserved for posterity

A two-acre site on the former RAF Binbrook airfield has passed into private ownership, thus ensuring its continued existence as a memorial to bomber crews lost during the dark days of WWII.

Opened in 1940, during its history RAF Binbrook saw many operational types flying from its airfield on top of the Lincolnshire Wolds and was for a time the home of 460 (RAAF) Squadron under the command of the legendary Wing Commander Hughie Edwards VC. Operating Lancaster bombers over enemy-occupied Europe, 460 Squadron suffered typically heavy losses and site custodian Ray Whiteley has long made it his goal to turn the RAF Binbrook Heritage Centre into a lasting memorial to the lost aircrew. To this end, he has built the 460 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Identification Square Memorial and the Hughie Edwards VC Memorial and has carried out extensive tree planting to form the Bomber Command Memorial Park. Trees have been chosen for their sustainability and wildlife friendliness and have been planted in ‘Fairey Battle’, ‘Wellington’ and ‘Lancaster’ Avenues with each tree representing a crew member of those particular aircraft types who failed to return. The land, formerly the site of RAF Binbrook’s air traffic control tower and fire section until their demolition after the station closed in 1989, has also for some years been the home of the Lightning Association’s English Electric Lightning F6 XR724, a preserved example of the iconic Cold War fighter in full engine-running condition. Another Lightning, T5 XS457, also stored at the site in component parts, is awaiting reassembly. There is additionally a small museum housing numerous aircraft artefacts, some of which have been found by Ray during exploration of the site, and a display of photos of former RAF Binbrook aircraft and personnel. A number of commemorative benches are placed amongst the trees and Ray reports a steady stream of UK and overseas visitors who come to visit the place from where their relatives flew operational missions.

Until recently, however, the land was owned by the company Winchester Marine who, whilst generously allowing Ray and the Lightning Association to occupy and develop the site, were unable to offer long-term security of tenure. The transfer was recently concluded and Ray and Charles Ross are now very happy in the knowledge that the memorial to the brave bomber crews and RAF Binbrook’s association with the famous Lightning fighter are preserved forever. As the Memorial Park develops, it will become a haven for wildlife and a place of tranquillity and solitude for those who wish to remember missing relatives and friends or somewhere to simply enjoy the ‘dark skies’ policy and the wonderful views and sunsets that can be experienced over the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For further information on the RAF Binbrook Heritage Centre, please visit website www.binbrook.demon.co.uk or contact Ray Whiteley – Project Coordinator on [email]lincair@binbrook.demon.co.uk[/email], 01472 398739 or 07580 884536

Her future is only secure if she has a roof over her head.

Also from their website – seems they’ve now purchased a couple of acres of land round the jet – so making her future a lot more secure. Good news…

Latest Update

Another couple of volunteer engineering days have been set up to progress XR724. For details check out the LA website

Would love to see a lightning at the Wattisham museum. Not sure that the airfield is up to taxiing as it is still operational, but the hunter & phantom seem to be getting good care & covered storage.