Ligthning XS458

Dragon Rapide is G-AKRP from Sywell operated by Fordair.

Sorry everyone. Drove past Cranfield on the way home tonight, and realised I hadn’t posted the photo’s I took on Monday. So, here’s the only shot I could get of XS458. As you can see, she has all her covers on, even if the large tarpaulin and row of tyres is a slight departure from the old RAF days. 😉

Lets see if this ‘posting multiple pictures’ thing works.

Next picture is the Lansen. Looking a wee bit tatty, I thought, although she was some distance away. How I’d love to see this one take to the air again. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Swedes and their aircraft industry. How on earth can a nice quiet neutral country like Sweden, with no natural enemies, manage to develop a lineage from the Tunnen, the Lansen, the Draken, the Viggen, and finally the Gripen? And all done by their own efforts. The Gripen particularly amuses me – while us, the Italians, the Spaniards and the Germans have spent twenty years and countless Pounds and Euros faffing about developing an aeroplane whose original design was to counter a threat which no longer exists, the Swedes designed something lighter, cheaper (and then some!), and better, and put it into service a decade ago. Gotta love ’em, ain’t ya? 😀

Sorry, I digress…

Third photo is a Dragon Rapide, which was sitting there. I was quite surprised to see this, I didn’t think any flew out of EGTC. Learning Slowly, is this one of yours, couldn’t see the reg, but her colours looked a bit like those on G-AKIF…?

according to this site
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivorspics3.html
ownership of XS458 has changed.

The Lansen looked pretty good yesterday, although it was only a fleeting glimpse. I’ll try and get a photo on Monday evening. Meanwhile, this is a photo I took of the Lansen at the PFA rally in June 2002.

Steve, what condition is the Lansen to be found in now?
As for 458, she is indeed, well looked after, shame she could not be moved to Brunty, she could get a real good run out on the runway, or maybe a three ship taxi run……….food for thought and what a sound!!!!
Sorry just dreaming!!

Not a waste… most weekends Tonys team are working on her come rain or snow ! A real labour of love Id say… well done chaps.

The Lightning is still visible from the roundabout. She’s about 150 yards away, starboard side on towards the gate, but this evening was covered by a tarpaulin and tyres. From the same spot you get a very good view of the port side of the Lansen though, also about 150 yards away, and uncovered. Didn’t have my camera with me, but will try to remember it on Monday.

I would like to know about any dates for taxying also, as I’m sure others would. Seems it was beautifully painted up and now sits there doing nothing – what a waste!:(

Something planned for August 7th so I have heard, third hand. LPG is now 11th July at Bruntingthorpe.

Last time I spoke to Mr Hulls he was totally disinterested about telling anyone about the aircrafts movements and even more so if they had a camera with them. He COULD make some money by organising a photo shoot during a taxy run but thats his loss (and perogative) ‘spose.

No idea about whether the aeroplane has set dates for taxiing, but a mate of mine works for one of the FTO’s there so I’ll ask.

As for photos, I was able to get a couple of half decent shots of XS458 from the crash gate on the roundabout near the new business park last year, but the light (and my camera batteries!) were fading fast. I’ll head home via Cranfield this evening and see whether the aeroplane’s still in the same place.