Great pictures.

In those days, certainly up to the mid 60`s ,the BBC and ITV would transmit live pictures of the display from Biggin Hill on the Saturday ( only a one day display ,of course) to go out on their sports programmes. It is hard to believe that BBC and ITV would go head to head for such an event nowadays.
I also seem to remember that there were CND protestors, on one occasion, who had cut the tv cables and messed up BBC`s Grandstand coverage!

The answer to my question regarding Viscount N501TL is that the photo was taken at Sumburgh, Shetland.circa 1978
The slightly unusual feature is that the aircraft has slipper tanks fitted.Although strangely enough, other folks photos of the aircraft taken at its detached base at Aberdeen, Dyce have the tanks off.I cannot imagine there was a problem with range from Aberdeen- Sumburgh.
If my memory serves me right this aircraft had a bath fitted on board when operating out in the Middle East. Although there was no sign of it when I flew out of there. Seats were needed for the oilmen!
Note the public road next to the aircraft!

Incidentally, those 700 Darts had a slightly different engine note from the 800 series in that, when the aircraft was shut down on the apron, the props would windmill if the wind was strong enough, (which at Sumburgh was quite frequently).
Having worked there on the ground, part time, in my younger days I vividly recall being asked to help on start up and hold the blades still. Unfortunately, the engine wouldn`t start unless the propeller was stationary. The procedure for start was that I would hold the prop still and when I received a nod from the aircrew then that would be the time that they would start the engine and be prepared to let go.

I have never seen my hand move away so fast I can tell you when the blade moved!
Interesting times!

Not many of these shots about (and not a great pose I grant you), but one of a F3 (718 I think) making a pass with reheat selected and and`gear down at Waterbeach, Burma Star Assn display circa 1973,74?

I cannot remember whether it was Pete Chapman or “Oscar” Wild flying it, but was an impressive display, especially when lined up on `finals`looking for all the world as though he is going to land the thing on a 4,000ft? runway! And no he didn`t! Great pass though

I will look out for that.

On another point of interest, and I know money is an issue here, but what is the likelihood of one of the Lightnings you have being “repainted” if that is the right word to use back to bare metal. Some of the squadron markings used in the 60`s were quite flamboyant (Firebirds etc) even though some of the squadron markings wouldn`t be appropiate to the mark of Lightning you have there, maybe. Anyway, the Lightning looks better “natural” .

I would think bit of a crowd puller too. Just a thought.

Was lucky to see, and still vividly recall one of Pete Chapman’s last display’s at a Sept 74 BoB open day in the white tailed ‘696 and it was spectacular, especially his end of display Spitfire style ‘short finals’ IIRC…..
Don’t think I ever saw better in the subsequent 13 years of Lightning solo’s.

Yes he was good , but I seem to remember around Sept 1971 BoB Colt, Flt Lt Peter “Oscar” Wilde displaying the aircraft in great style. I seem to remember him overshooting rwy 04 with full reheat and climb into a tight right hand circuit and land at the end of his display. Never seen it done since. Really good.

Funnily enough the previous year at Coltishall there was an aerobatic display pilot from the station for that years BoB but he didn`t perform at Colt but did at all the other venues. Quite why I don`t know. In fact there were no Lightnings to be seen displaying at all at Coltishall. Rumour had it the public were fed up with watching Lightnings! Hard to believe.

Being picky….
That’s not a Colt based Lightning, from the photo and the date, that’s clearly a 11 Sqn machine in the static park at Colt’s ’73 Battle of Britain airshow.

I remember this one flying in from Leuchars as one of a pair. The other one diverted to Wattisham with hydraulic problems, ( not wishing to block the runway with slippery fluid just before an airshow!.)

Incidentally, 1973 was the first year that the security of the aircraft in the static display was an issue. The IRA were the terrorist threat then and it meant that you were no longer able to wander round the aircraft at close quarters. Great for taking photos though.