Hi Ive been reading all these 558 threads with interest and kept out of them, I have thought very carefully about posting anything as Im not in the know with regard 558 but I have to say something now, firstly all I can say to the TVOC guys is keep up the good work and well done for getting this far I take my hat off to you all. 🙂

Bruggen 130, I am amazed at your post, I know its your opion and you are entitled to your say.
I have a simple answer, we (the 12 of us) chose back in 1987 to by a Lightning and preserve it for future generations, I cant begin to tell you all just how hard it was to obtain and get it flown to Brunty in the first place.
I must stress on the selfish side primarly we did it for us, we all loved the Lightnings we were watching being cut up and carted off on the backs of lorries to the smelter and so we brought one and over the last 20 years we have all made many many sacrifies in our domestic and profesional lives to keep both (904 arrived in 93) of them servicable for ‘just’ that 10 second (not 20 second) squirt down Bruntys runway.

I must stress though that its first and formost ‘our’ hobby and we get an enormous kick out of keeping them safely alive come rain or shine and seeing all the people who turn up year after year to our open days and go away with big beaming smiles(and ringing ears 😉 ).

Its makes all the personal cost and effort worth while belive me.

We are all dedicated to keeping them both live and are also dedicated to rebuilding the QRA hanger which will be unique in museum terms, where else will you see two servicable Lightnings in an original QRA hanger ?

I am sorry you feel this way about our hobby

One final comment, when we approached Dave Walton in 1988 about bringing a servicbale Lightning to Brunty he gave us all of his support and continues to do so to this day.
What you have to remember is this sparked something within him (I cannot stress enough how much David has done for us and others over the years, he really is a truly generous and generally nice bloke)
After 728 arrived he then got interested in this ‘hobby’ and hay presto manages to buy 558, the Victor, the Bucc and the Comet, all icons, and look where we are now, 558 is soooooo close.

So all this 20 second stuff up the runway has been I would say pretty important.

Apologies for getting off the thread and on my soap box, I shall say no more 😉

Your opinion has been noted.
Regards Phil.

Aren’t they in for a treat?

As Churchill said, Oooh Yes.:D
phil.

True, but progress was very fast back then. Some aircraft went from drawing board to production in less than a year. And even then the F-86 had the benefit of all that newly acquired post war know-how that made it’s way to the States – a serious advantage over anything designed during the war.

I do know what your saying but the time lines are about the same, So North American had all the Data but Bell didn’t. When Bell took one look at the F-86 in early 47 they must have thought why bother.
Regards Phil.

To be fair, the Bell X-1 is from the previous generation, Ministry specification E.24/43 (1942) I believe. 😀

First flight X1 19 Jan 46, F-86 1 oct 47. I think the Disign for the Sabre started in 44, Two years is not great deal of differance in my book, one went on to be built in the hundreds, the other went to a museum to claim at best a dodgy place in history
phil.

I don’t believe he was ever asked to join the space program.
No university degree.
I belive the scene in the book (and film) The Right Stuff is closer to the truth. He was respectful of the early astronauts.

I think thats the book I read it in, Bwt way since when did any American film
have more than 30% truth in it:D
Phil

To be honest this is something I have thought for some time. Was the first unofficial supersonic flight British, American or German?

My money would be on the F-86 Sabre for that Honour.:D
Regards Phil.

Super Phil, thanks – first time I’ve seen it! Is this the sighting head and computer in one unit?

Could I be greedy and ask if you have any more?

Thanks,

Iain.

Hi Iain.
I just put SABS Bombsight in to GOOGLE and this came up.
Regards Phil.

What is the best aircraft that has been produced but from a small, militarily insignificant country?

Typhoon, UK, 😀