29 (R) Sqn to loan Lightning XS897 from Lakes Lightnings

29 (R) Sqn RAF will soon be taking the long term loan of Lightning XS897 as a Squadron gate guard at RAF Coningsby.

29 Sqn used to fly F3’s but due to the unavailability of a structurally sound, available one, F6 XS897 has been loaned by Lakes Lightnings to 29 (R) Sqn and will be made up with a Mk 1 belly tank to look a reasonable example of an F3.

I know those purists out there know its an adapted F6 with big belly tank and kinked wings but there you go! There are lots of examples out there of inaccuracies in detail but a Lightning is a Lightning afterall!..

With the Mk 1 belly tank, silver paint scheme and 29 sqn decals, she should look good on the squadron line.

The plan is to tow her around on the line every now and then, when she is not sitting outside the Sqn building. Im sure you agree that a line of Typhoons with a Lightning at the end will look extremely good!

The move from AeroVenture, Doncaster will be carried out by Retro Aviation starting dissasembly on Sunday 31st May 09 and hopefully, roadmoving her south on 2nd June 09.

I would just like to say a BIG THANK YOU from Lakes Lightnings to all at AeroVenture for looking after her in the interim.

Splendid effort all round

Splendid effort all round!!

Glad to see yet more top quality and unusual stuff arriving at RAF Millom. You certainly are busy folks.

Red Top looking at an SR71

Hello folks,

Whilst sitting round the dinner table with Jimmy Dell some two years ago, Jimmy recounted a tale of a Lightning somewhere getting up high and getting a brief lock onto a passing SR71 with a Red Top.

I guess the SR71 was at Mach 3+ and the Red Top does similar so, no chance of a shoot but i bet the 71’s RWR lit up causing a trouser twitch for a second or two.

Can anyone out there add to this or clarify/correct this tale.

I guess Jimmy was in the info loop regarding classified Lightning related ‘stuff’ so i have no doubt it happend.

Hunter GA11 WT711 for sale

Just to flag up that FRADU Hunter GA11 WT711 is still up for sale!

Ive had 2 seriously interested parties touch base with me but havnt heard anything since before Xmas … she is complete bar the ejection seat.

She does have an engine installed…… and is partially split for roadmove right now … £8,000….lakeslightnings@hotmail.co.uk

Happy New Year all … now we can get back to normality..Cheers, Fly Safe.

WOWwwwwwww

WOWwwwwwww …. How good is that!!!

Nice one Russell and his team …. she looks WONDERFUL.

What you guys do, keeping her with a pulse, is truely magnificent….

Happy Xmas to one and all

Harley Light NOT fitted to GA11 WT711

Adding to the quote:

“and of course later in there life they had “Harley Lights ” fitted, but as for a GA.11 , converted in the early 1960s, it is Basicly a F.4 with the Guns removed, ?and that is about it ??”

Just to say that GA11 WT711 is the ONLY GA11 that was never fitted with a Harley Light but retained its solid nose cone throughout for some reason!!

BIG THANKS to all those folks out there showing an interest in WT711 as she is up for sale at the moment …