Spitfire and Lightning?

I did post a reference to the one here on Pprune Military.
Several ‘Lightning mates’ have traded info (and insults!)
mmitch.

Had a Lightning encountered an Indonesian Mustang ‘for real’ it would have been a 74 Sqn F.6, so also no guns (no belly pack at that time).

I know it’s all a bit ‘what if’ but wouldn’t the nose cannon armed Lighting F.1A, F.2/F.2A have been the more likely aggressors, I would think the Indonesian Confrontation was jsut a bit too early for the F.6 operationally anyway?

… there was a suggestion that a small tin shed did get blown away during one of the Lightning’s ‘disengagement’ manoeuvres…:eek:

I hope that was credited as a confirmed kill? 😀

The Lightning in the picture is an F.3, so no guns. Had a Lightning encountered an Indonesian Mustang ‘for real’ it would have been a 74 Sqn F.6, so also no guns (no belly pack at that time).

I can’t lay my hands on the story just now, but I’ve seen pictures in a magazine of the trials underway, right next to the flightline at Binbrook (presumably for ease of observation). IIRC none of the based aircraft were damaged, but there was a suggestion that a small tin shed did get blown away during one of the Lightning’s ‘disengagement’ manoeuvres…:eek:

I think I remember reading that the Lightning would have trouble getting a lock-on to the Spitfire with it’s Firestreak/Red Top – did that mark of Lightning have guns??

The conclusion was that the Spitfire could not engage the Lightning, but that the Lightning had great trouble engaging the Spitfire – but could ‘disengage at will’.

IIRC the best tactic for the Lightning was to approach from behind and below, then initiate a reheated climb right in front of the Spitfire to blast him with its jet wash.

Ken

D’oh … too slow 😎

Was this the occasion of the Lightning being tested against the nearest thing that the RAF could get to a P51, in case things hotted up with Indonesia?

Regards Duggy