XS458 25th April High Speed Runs

Totally recommend going to see XS458 in action, A lightning never disappoints when your hear those engines fire up.

Thanks for posting those clips – they’re a very nice memento of the day . You really have to be there to experience the ‘avpin start-up’ ; it’s certainly quite hair-raising…great stuff !:cool:

458

if anybody is interested i have put a couple of video clips of the day on youtube and can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1GYqwTPTTI

and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lu_wF4nDW0

sorry for picture quality for some reason it lost the quality in the transfer to youtube i am still learning and will sort it out one day

Nice report and pics thanks for sharing, will definately have to get up to Cranfield sometime and see the Lightning.

Having ‘lurked’ at these forums for a long time, this is my first posting here…..and hopefully it’s in the name of a ‘good cause’.

I went along to see XS458’s taxy-runs at Cranfield last Saturday and had what will probably be one of my most enjoyable and interesting aviation ‘days out’ of 2009. What a fantastic aircraft XS458 is, and a real monument to the enthusiasm and sheer hard work of Russell and his team.

The opportunity to get up very close to the action is something to be savoured – I can’t match the superb pics already posted in this thread, so here are a couple of snaps which I hope give a flavour of the day…

I wasn’t one of the lucky people going along for the ride – but for me the highlight of the day was at the very end ; an opportunity to sit in the cockpit while former Lightning pilot Dennis Brooks patiently answered all the questions I could think of ( which he did with great charm and courtesy, even though he must have heard them a thousand times before…)

…and a good memory to take away….

I’d never met Russell or any of the XS458 team before, but I was immediately made to feel at home. A day out with true aviation enthusiasts, a real live Lightning, even a great lunch laid on at a nearby pub ( ‘corporate sponsors of XS458’ ) – what more could you want ?

Such experiences are rare – go on, treat yourself ! 🙂

high speed runs 23rd may

just to remind you 458 will be enjoying the sunshine again this saturday with a couple of sprints down cranfields runway and two stactic reheats to excercise her muscles if you would like join 458 and us for this saturday please email me from www.lightningt5.com russell

ref 23/05/09 458 will again be taking some exercise and and showing her muscles and doing what she does best entertaining you all and to add to what graham has said here there will also be a extended long taxi past cranfields tower plus there is a 50/50 chance of a second stactic reheat make you day with this unique opportunity to see this iconic aeroplane up and close regards russell

XS458 high speed run May23rd 2009

hi folks
for the people who do not know,and may well be interested,XS 458 will be having another outing on 23 rd May, this will consist of two fast taxi runs and a static reheat, this is invitation only and a great chance to get up close and personal with the aircraft and crew, ideal photo opportunity,with access to all of this cold war warrior, including the cockpit, the day also includes a buffet, for full details please contact bocar via his pm box
a truly wonderful experience not to be missed for cold war jet fans, or indeed any other aircraft enthusiasts

pictures

well what can i say darren spuerb photos again, indeed some lovely pictures of a fab day, big well done to all concerned, and what a wonderfull bunch of friendly people turned up, so looking forward to the may run now, with a bit of luck the weather will be better still

When I get a moment, I will upload some video inc the static reheat.

PS Some nice pics. Darren, do you mind if I save a copy of the oic with reheat visible in both engines?

PM me and I will send a copy to you.

I can’t match the quality of the photos on here but a couple of my snaps offer a different view.

High jump!

When I get a moment, I will upload some video inc the static reheat.

PS Some nice pics. Darren, do you mind if I save a copy of the oic with reheat visible in both engines?

I too would like to add my thanks to Russell and his team for a great day and the opportunity to get up close and personal with XS458.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the day to everyone!

There are lots more photo’s of this lovely lady in the Airshow Photos section:

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=90310

Geoff

A great day as always, and XS458 was stunning as always!

last saturday was 458 first high speed runs of 2009 and she gave everyone ground and photographers a great day and doing what she does best performing and looking great my ground crew did a superb in preparing her for this saturday and yours truly had the second high speed run all i can say its awesome and the feeling of experiencing all that power, i think the first word i said after dennis let the brakes go then reheat selected was WOW what ever was next is a blur its such a kick in the back last time for me was oct 2007 i drove back to london high on t5 adrenaline russell

Russell, I’d like to voice my thanks for an excellent day on Saturday.

The hospitality shown by you and your dedicated team was marvellous.

To anyone reading this forum who wants to get up close and personal to a living, fire breathing Cold War Warrior ~ I would urge you to watch out for similar Lightning taxi run days this summer.

I’m going back that’s for sure !

fast taxi run

if anybody would like to see XS458 on a run
she is on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsWy2NlGyVQ
good day was had by all
thanks Russell and the T5 team

Russell, many thanks to you and the team for a very enjoyable day today. It was great to see XS458 in action in a relaxed setting. Denis very kindly answered lots of my questions (as did John and Graham) and obviously enjoys “playing” with an old acquaintance.

Please thank everyone for making the day and if you ever fancy swapping a ride for a trip in the Harvard…..:D

458 cranfield lightning

458 on saturday was was washed, cleaned, and polished, ready for this saturdays high speed runs if you would like to see 458 first high runs in 2009 you can still join us as there are still a few places left send me a message for details russell

spring clean

hi russell was passing today and snapped a couple off while you were busy spring cleaning, must say you all worked hard but it was worth it she is gleaming well done to all and looking forward to the high speed run on the 25th april