I like you’re thinking Les but according to this link http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/new/ontask/flashback/seventies/index.htm the Lightning in the static at the 1973 BoB show at Cottesmore was a 5 Sqn machine XR768. This is a tuffy. 🙂

Sound logic, but RAFG Lightnings didn’t first start getting painted o/a dark green until well into 1972 IIRC, which kind of discounts it being Leconfield in 1971 at least.

Damn that Firebird, you are of course correct! That should make the time then 1976 between April and the end of July and the F6 XS937.

No, sorry excuse my tired eye’s XR724 was ‘K’ as well 08/72 – 03/76 so it’s back to the drawing board.

Good work there by Firebird me thinks.

I’m going to stick my neck out on that line up photo though and say it’s taken at the 1971 Leconfield airshow! My reasons? MU for the Lightning and so that would explain the prescence of the RAFG ‘T’ bird also I reckon the 11 Sqn F6 is XS934 ‘K’ which flew into Leconfield on 19/07/71 for an overhaul. The Leconfield airshow was usually held on the last but one weekend in July so it all kind of fit’s. Anybody got a list for that show?

Nice pics, glad someone has posted some pics of Woburn!! didnt see you but i was the one lobbing flour bags out of a chipmunk 😀

Ah, so that was you in the Stuka’munk. I believe congratulations are in order as you won did you not?

For some of my efforts see : http://www.caledonianchipmunks.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=369

Was your mount WB711 or WD310?

I must say I also enjoyed the Moth Rally at Woburn as well. 50 interpid aviators made it in, more flew over and decided against it. The landings were to say the least interesting! Hours of fun for us not having to make them, pull up a chair, get out the popcorn, crack open a beer and enjoy – better than any airshow. 😀

Brilliant news, well done everyone whos had a part in saving her and putting her back were she belongs. 🙂 😎

For those of you who are thinking of the rail option the following extra trains will be loco hauled and will feature proper rolling stock and more seats! The traction for those that are interested will be Cotswold Class 47’s top ‘n’ tail. 🙂 Full diagram included for any cranks! 😀

0915 5G92 Norwich Crown Point – Norwich Station ( Empties ) arr 09.33 ??
0950 1G92 Norwich – Lowestoft ( Actual train, you can ride on this! ) arr 10.27
1040 5G91 Lowestoft – Norwich ( Empty stock movement, no rides 🙁 ) arr 11.17
11.57 1G94 Norwich – Lowestoft ( Actual train again, again you can ride ) arr 12.34
15.58 1G93 Lowestoft – Norwich ( Actual train, for the early leavers ) arr 16.35
16.50 5G96 Norwich – Lowestoft ( Empty stock returning to Norwich, no rides ) arr 17.27
18.00 1G95 Lowestoft – Norwich ( Actual train, ride home having enjoyed your day ) arr 18.37
18.55 5G95 Norwich – Norwich Crown Point ( Empty stock returns to yard ) arr 19.13 ??

All this is subject to the usual railway shambles but this is the plan, but don’t kick me if it’s wrong. 😮

Yes I think spares are a major issue even ‘if’ the CAA could be convinced. When I was at Thunder City the engineers working on 693 told me they didn’t have enough parts to get all 4 up at the same time and so 773 would be robbed when needed. It’s great that they seem to have solved this problem but I don’t think you’ll see 4 in the air very often. As for a candidate I think you are looking at XS458 really, yes there is XR724 and possible an ex Saudi airframe or even XS903 but I think the 2 seat option of 458 would be more attractive especially as it’s been kept as a runner since the mid 90’s. I remember that they found alot more wrong with XS452 than they were expecting after it’s stint at Cranfield and 458 has a decade outside on top of that. Chances of a Lightning flying in this country again? Zero in my opinion. I’ve been lucky enough to chat to a couple of the people who sit on the commitee that make the decisions about these things and safety is there number one concern, they just don’t consider the design safe. Yes they do fly in SA but with alot of restrictions all of which would be impossible or very,very restricting in this country.