LTF Lightning F6 at Binbrook

The shot of that Lightning taking off looks like its Jon Fynes in one of the last pair of F.3s that were on 5 Squadron in 87.

Indeed, it’s definitely a F.3, so undoubtedly Jon Fynes giving one of the last ever solo displays, and trying to emulate the great Pete Chapman by the looks of it…:D
Got to be one of the last ever solo’s as both F.3 were delivered to airfields for BDR on 30th Sept ’87 after the end of the display season.

Had a gander through some Lightning books and can see photos’ of XR773, XS923 and XR726 all with LTF ‘DF’ codes during the last few years of LTF operations in 1985-87, and all with the forward belly fuel tank in place instead of the 2 x Aden’s.

A quick check reveals:-

XR726 DF/LTF – Jul 86 to Mar 87.
XS923 DF/LTF – Feb 86 to Jun 86.
XR773 DF/LTF – May 85 to Jan 86

The Lightning F.6s that were assigned to the LTF also included XS936 from memory and they were usually coded F, and later DF.

The shot of that Lightning taking off looks like its Jon Fynes in one of the last pair of F.3s that were on 5 Squadron in 87.

Cheers

Tim

I was at Binbrook 79 – 85.

LTF had one F6 which, if I remember correctly, was used as a target aircraft for trainee pilots to practice their interception skills, hence the larger tank to give more airborne time.

As mentioned above, the particular aircraft they had changed as they were put into servicing.

It was a fairly straightforward job ( as much as anything was straightforward on a Lightning) to replace a “gun” tank with the fuel – only tank

Here’s am image of XR773 taken on a memorable day at Binbrook in September 1987

for a bigger image click here http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1079808/

It may even have been the solo aircraft that did this fantastic take off – over our heads beside the runway !!!

for a bigger image click here http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1079728/

I think I can add some more detail to the ventral tank in question. Originally none of the 600 gal tanks had gun packs. These were modded at a later date and the F2a’s retained the older style as they already had Aden’s fitted in the nose. In 1977 XR752 did a spectacular wheels-up landing damaging the forward two portions of the ventral tank. New parts were ordered and when the forward section was unpacked it was found that it was unmodded. This caused alot of consternation in ASF (I was there at the time) and telephone traffic. The eventual conclusion was that not one single spare tank had been modded to accept Adens. I was posted shortly after that so I assume 752 was sent back to 5 sqn with a ‘proper’ forward tank, and the unmodded one was left to collect a rather large layer of dust in ASF until such times as LTF was issued with an F6.

Thanks for clearing that up lads!

If it is XR773 your looking for then I have a few pics of that Aircraft, will dig them out.
Phil.

Hi Peter, the chaps above have got it right, our 728 was also on on the LTF, the last F6 to be extact to serve with them.

Cheers

My question is, what was the aircrafts serial number and does it still exist today? It was interesting to note that it had had the gun bay outfitted with an extra fuel tank!

Peter, while there was usually at least one F.6 on the LTF, there was more than one F.6 used, as the a/c were changed at regular intervals as they went through servicing etc.

I have a vague recallection that XR773 (now with Thunder City in SA) was one of these LTF F.6’s at some point.

Peter,

Not sure about the tail code of the aircraft you are refering to but as t your interesting point about fuel, the F.6 ventral fuel tank is made in three seperate peices and the forward section was a fuel tank fitted out with two 30mm Aden cannon (obviously in seperate compartments!).

This could be changed out for a forward section that was all fuel tank to allow greater range on a sortie but at the loss of cannon.

Will have a dig in my books later to see if I can find the bird you are talking about.

Regards,

John.