Which airframe would you choose though John ?
Most of the UK airframes that could be considered are up on FI, including our two.
You would want a T5 really, what am I saying just forget it, it aint gonna happen, a simular set up to the 558 thing would be needed.
There are really very little options left in the UK for a flying Lightning simply becouse all (now four!) of the best are in SA, the obviouse to some are 728 or 904 as they are as close to airworthy as visable becouse they have been untouched since flying into Brunty all that time ago.
This is not really a suitable option becouse fatigue as you say is up on both but I have been watching with keen interest Gatwick Aviations ex Saudi Lightning 53-671/G-27-41/ZF 579.
They have done a fantastic job of bringing a dismantled basket case back to life, they have fitted zero timed engines, new nose gear, many new spares have been fitted, most systems have been re-condtioned and brought back to life……the list goes on, if you did not know any better by looking at their web site you would be forgiven for thinking that they are actually going to fly this bird.
What is most impressive is that the FI for this airframe is just 81.12 out of 105 max, this gives enough FI for a long career on the display circuit.
This s all speculative day dreaming mind and I am sure that there may be one or two others out there that could be possible candidates, what about the two seater at Cranfield?, if the CAA set a limit on the Lightning of subsonic speeds and a max height of 10,000ft then why should it be any different thatn a Hunter/Bucc/558?.
IIRC the Lightning’s display was subsonic and low level so this shouldn’t be a problem, and for sure it was the showstopping event to beat all, Finningly, Binbrook, fresh cut grass, avtur, getting lost in the crowd and then there it is…………low in the distance, a speck…….the crowd grows calm and an uneasy silence falls upon the airfield with just the sound of birds in the background.
There is a whisper amongst the people as the speck grows larger…..larger…….larger, the wings appear and the tail pearces the sky in that unmistakable silhouette that is defined as the peerless English Electric Lightning.
The heart skips, still no sound just the birds and the gentle sound of people jostling for a better view, you don’t notice now that you are rooted to the spot, all feeling and sensation bellow the waist has gone, you just concentrait on getting that beutifull sight picture as it looms closer.
It is not long as the Lightning has turned into the circuit to beat up the airfield and there is that distinct little trail of smoke as the coals are poured on and the burners are lit………it’s comming.
The noise is increasing now…..louder….louder untill all other noise is cancelled out and the ground is resonates to the sound of Avons, banking the Lightning passes at full chat with less than 100ft on the Rad Alt and clouds of condensation spilling off the upper wing surfaces, as it nears the end of the crowd line she pulls up into a vertical climb that sees her dissappear into the cloud with only that unmistakable rumble as your internal organs begin to move back to where they came from.
It’s been 18 long years since that spectacle was last bestowed upon me and I dream of the day it will happen again, all the F14’s-15’s-16’s-18’s will never make up for what should be and that is a flying Lightning in the UK, Lightndattic take note 😉 .
Regards,
John.
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