Lightnings at RAF Coltishall in 1974

Request for pics,stories and info

Hello All,

What a splendid set of pics … as the current civi owner of XM172 and XS420 (and closely assosiated with XM173 too), im wondering if you good folks out there have any more pics, stories and info on the life & times of the OCU at Colt at that time as im trying to gathering info for the future.

Cheers all.

Not many of these shots about (and not a great pose I grant you), but one of a F3 (718 I think) making a pass with reheat selected and and`gear down at Waterbeach, Burma Star Assn display circa 1973,74?

I cannot remember whether it was Pete Chapman or “Oscar” Wild flying it, but was an impressive display, especially when lined up on `finals`looking for all the world as though he is going to land the thing on a 4,000ft? runway! And no he didn`t! Great pass though

I remember this one flying in from Leuchars as one of a pair. The other one diverted to Wattisham with hydraulic problems, ( not wishing to block the runway with slippery fluid just before an airshow!.)

Incidentally, 1973 was the first year that the security of the aircraft in the static display was an issue. The IRA were the terrorist threat then and it meant that you were no longer able to wander round the aircraft at close quarters. Great for taking photos though.

Ah yes, the year of the pick axe handle wielding squaddies….

Not 1974 but some more photos of Lightnings of 226 OCU when they were 145 (R) Squadron. These photos are from 1969.

Was lucky to see, and still vividly recall one of Pete Chapman’s last display’s at a Sept 74 BoB open day in the white tailed ‘696 and it was spectacular, especially his end of display Spitfire style ‘short finals’ IIRC…..
Don’t think I ever saw better in the subsequent 13 years of Lightning solo’s.

Yes he was good , but I seem to remember around Sept 1971 BoB Colt, Flt Lt Peter “Oscar” Wilde displaying the aircraft in great style. I seem to remember him overshooting rwy 04 with full reheat and climb into a tight right hand circuit and land at the end of his display. Never seen it done since. Really good.

Funnily enough the previous year at Coltishall there was an aerobatic display pilot from the station for that years BoB but he didn`t perform at Colt but did at all the other venues. Quite why I don`t know. In fact there were no Lightnings to be seen displaying at all at Coltishall. Rumour had it the public were fed up with watching Lightnings! Hard to believe.

Sorry to butt in but we use to spend family holidays in Norfolk in the 70’s. 1974 I spent a happy afternoon (don’t think the rest of the family were too happy) at the end of the runway at Coltishall and saw Jaguars and Spit and Hurricane. I wrote to the base after the holiday to see if I could get a closer look the following year.

They replied inviting me to the base in 1975. That year it was just me mum and dad so we went to Coltishall and they let me sit in a Jaguar whilst it was in the hanger. Ah what memories.

If there were any Lightnings there i didn’t notice as I was more interested in Jags then.

Picture taken by my dad 1974. I believe the markings are from Lossimouth.
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Mark12, Interesting shot of the flightline at Colt, presumably the ORP on runway 22, before the “Big 16 ” got airborne for their display. Note the F1A with the Union Flag on the tail. I think this aircraft was the mount of Flt Lt Bob Lightfoot who was the station`s aerobatic display pilot . It was at this time that the aircraft had just come back from Toronto to appear in the Canadian National Exposition. Literally flying the flag!

More details on this from www.mhas.org.uk/memories/RobertLightfoot

This was a private visit, mid-week. The Spitfire and the Hurricane were away from the hangar. I think on this occasion I was driven out there.

Mark

Mark12, Interesting shot of the flightline at Colt, presumably the ORP on runway 22, before the “Big 16 ” got airborne for their display. Note the F1A with the Union Flag on the tail. I think this aircraft was the mount of Flt Lt Bob Lightfoot who was the station`s aerobatic display pilot . It was at this time that the aircraft had just come back from Toronto to appear in the Canadian National Exposition. Literally flying the flag!

More details on this from www.mhas.org.uk/memories/RobertLightfoot

Nice unusual shot of the Lightning using a braking ‘chute there Mark12, not sure if I have seen a pic of one deploying one before now (bad memory possibly), if I have certainly not from that angle.
Thanks for sharing

Ah! Thank you. Just a 50mm standard lens. It must have been quite close as I was only there to photograph the BBMF.

Mark

Nice unusual shot of the Lightning using a braking ‘chute there Mark12, not sure if I have seen a pic of one deploying one before now (bad memory possibly), if I have certainly not from that angle.
Thanks for sharing

I took these in 1970. The Lightnings didn’t seem very important then?

Such is the way of aviation history. 🙂

Mark

Being picky….
That’s not a Colt based Lightning, from the photo and the date, that’s clearly a 11 Sqn machine in the static park at Colt’s ’73 Battle of Britain airshow.

I remember this one flying in from Leuchars as one of a pair. The other one diverted to Wattisham with hydraulic problems, ( not wishing to block the runway with slippery fluid just before an airshow!.)

Incidentally, 1973 was the first year that the security of the aircraft in the static display was an issue. The IRA were the terrorist threat then and it meant that you were no longer able to wander round the aircraft at close quarters. Great for taking photos though.

Whilst talking Colt (my local) and photo’s would still love to see a photo of a lightning taking off at dusk with both re heats burning ? anybody got one to share ????
Keith ????

The photos were taken before 1971

regards Peter

Which photos are you refering to….?? :confused: :confused:

The photos were taken before 1971

regards Peter

Very nice. ‘696 being the solo display jet (first F3 -previoulsy F1/F1As had been used) for 1974 ,flown by FLT LT Chapman who went on to win the solo jet trophy at the IAT, Greenham Common.

Was lucky to see, and still vividly recall one of Pete Chapman’s last display’s at a Sept 74 BoB open day in the white tailed ‘696 and it was spectacular, especially his end of display Spitfire style ‘short finals’ IIRC…..:eek:
Don’t think I ever saw better in the subsequent 13 years of Lightning solo’s.:)

Very nice. ‘696 being the solo display jet (first F3 -previoulsy F1/F1As had been used) for 1974 ,flown by FLT LT Chapman who went on to win the solo jet trophy at the IAT, Greenham Common.
This machine was the spare..

As you’ve asked so nicely……..

Interesting 92 sqn T.4 behind it, I didn’t realise they recieved the olive colour of the single seaters.

Being picky….;)
That’s not a Colt based Lightning, from the photo and the date, that’s clearly a 11 Sqn machine in the static park at Colt’s ’73 Battle of Britain airshow.

😮