Lightning XR770 Waddington

Yes she is now split into four and it only took us two weekends. She will indeed be under cover at her new home and will be safe and well looked after. New beginnings and a new start for her where she will be loved and appreciated. Circus 6, she was going to be put back on her plynth when we had time to come and do it and at a time convenient to the Sqn, her being in the way, according to OC5 was never an issue as she could have been moved by us at any time all it took was a phone call. Unfortunately comms between the Sqn and ourselves was virtually non existent unless we initiated. Hence we had no idea that the tyres were down and off the rims. Walk round kits are available but unfortunately no one in the ‘modern’ air force knows how to use them!! Our only wish is that the Sqn had thought the whole thing through before they initially asked for her and we could have saved any bad feeling etc. We live and learn.

Be interesting to see where she goes, I mean what museum has the facilities and doesn’t already have a Lightning?

I think you’ve dipped out matey, they’ll have it stripped by now and probably on its way.

How long will it take to move dismantle and move her I would like to see the aircraft before it goes

The machine was for sale in the last few months which indicated to many that the future would not be at Waddington. For her to be preserved in future she dearly needs to go undercover – I hope that can be done.

I’m afraid it was in the way, where it sat, making the movement of larger ac between hangars 3&4, more challenging. Like I said, there wasn’t a lot of support for it as turnover of personnel occurred, many don’t know the background. I’m appalled that folk were trying to sell bits off it! The bit that gripped me the most was when we had to trim the flap to be legal on the trip to Waddo.
You’ve got to admit it looks better than it did on arrival, and the paint has stayed shiney.
Also, the guys moving it for the Airshow over the years and putting punters in it didn’t get any pleasure or reward from the experience and I think that also may have contributed to the bad feeling from involvement with XR770.
The WO (who was my boss), told me in no uncertain terms that we wouldn’t be moving it, period, even though I offered to help.
It was a nice sight for nostalgic old fools like me, I saw it everyday from arrival to my departure from the RAF last year.
The only defense I can offer for not having done anything to maintain it, not that it needed much, was that there is simply no will to take the risk, all the techies are too busy working on frontline aircraft, and no knowledge outside of the techie sphere.
I hope to see XR770 in the future.

Hi all, was Lightninglady now Lightning XR770

Where’s it going David? It was appreciated by some at 5 Sqn, but sadly we were in the minority…

The information/rumour on this thread is absolutely incorrect and don’t know where it came from! The reason we have rehomed XR770 is that she was being neglected by the Sqn and that parts of her had been offered for sale to a separate group by a Sqn member!!!! We also want to concentrate our efforts now on moving XS416 and getting her back to running order. The main wheel issue had no bearing on us moving XR770 whatsoever and she was still safe to move onto her plynth which we would have done had she been staying. There had been no issue of her being in the way etc etc. we were disappointed that the whole experience from start to finish with 5Sqn had been a negative one especially as it was them that asked for the A/C in the first place. She is now going to a fantastic home where she will be loved and looked after and viewed by the public daily! We will announce her final destination once she is safely loaded and on her way!

Its sold and going to a good new home where it will be appreciated!

Where’s it going David? It was appreciated by some at 5 Sqn, but sadly we were in the minority…

I was still high as a kite after The Vulcan and we were watching the Meteor 🙂 wonderful afternoon, I went to see her at Grainthorpe. What happened to the other aircraft?

Its sold and going to a good new home where it will be appreciated!

I chatted to the owner a few years back at the show. Hes a super guy. It was on a 7 year loan, lets hope it goes to a good home.

It was originally on a ten year loan Sadsack, I helped strip it at Grainthorpe, and rebuild it at Waddo. Things changed when it was noted that a main leg was cracked and our WO wouldn’t sanction our guys moving it back into its plinth. It was in the way where it sat, compromising safety and sighting from Hangar 3 to the helipad. Sadly, no one was willing to write up a risk assessment so it had to go, or be moved by Dave and Linda. Has it sold, or just moving?

I chatted to the owner a few years back at the show. Hes a super guy. It was on a 7 year loan, lets hope it goes to a good home.

It’s been for sale for a while -guess the deal had been done!

XR770 is leaving Waddington. I witnessed it coming apart yesterday, the nose removed, as I took the images. If only knew how to upload them from my phone…

Lightninglady99,
It is quite easy, go to the Historic forum and click on new thread tab and post away!

Hi Peter
I really have no idea how to start a thread as I have never used these forums before. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards
Lesley:o

Thankyou, ive enjoyed every minute of working on her and my friends are all jealous of what i have done 🙂

Run away now, while you still have your sanity.. 😉

Many thanks for the updates about this aircraft, lightninglady99, which I’ve found most interesting – please keep us updated !

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Really enjoyed reading this thread on XR.770

God bless ya, LightningLady99 & everyone involved in your fantastic project

Personally, I’m glad you’ve been straight to the point & called a spade a spade
& if the “two-pac” makes it “look” plastic :rolleyes: in some eyes, then tough…at least she’s preserved & will cope better with the weather/elements

Grimsby-council’s loss is your (& our) wonderful-gain

Looking forward to hearing more POSTINGS from your ‘tribe’ again in future-times

‘Best-Wishes’; ‘H.C’

Leslie and team, she looks stunning and a big THANK YOU for all your efforts in bringing her back to excellent static condition. I posted a thread about XR770 on this forum ages ago now and I feared I Would read one day that she had been cutup. Happily the opposite has happened and she can enjy her new paint and display location.

XR770

Congratulations to all that have made this one possible, Its nice to see another Lightning restored and having some TLC. I cannot wait to see XS897 on the line at Coningsby alongside the Tiffies!

My fathers photos have been posted on here earlier via 320psi. I should point out that Dad did spend almost 20 years photographing the former residents of Binbrook right until the very end:D.

Tim Senior
Archive Manager – Aerospace Publishing