guys, no worries, I’m glad she still stirs some interest…I think Andy will agree though that, although Never say never (after all there is a lightning that was 50 times worse returning from the brink:rolleyes:) but I dont think we will see 724 return to a runner for a long while, if at all. Sorry to be a doom merchant, but there just isn’t the infrastructure or man power left at Binners to mount the full scale effort required to pull her engines, pipes, de-fuel her and pull her to pieces for the work required anymore. Additionally all the available active Lightning expertise required to do it, is fully tied up with Brunty, Cranfield, Stennis USA and Gatwick these days. I kid you not, between these 4 groups that’s it for the uk!! (we are all close, afterall there are not many of us). So whilst we all wish we had the time to spend a week or 2 a month giving 724 full attention, it really isn’t possible. The best 724 is going to get right now, is what Andy and co are planning, which is a cursery check over, wax oil, corrosion treatment, good covers and a pat on the back/watchfull eye, and maybe electrical power to drive out some moisture.

Dont worry she has a watchful eye on her all the time……but she needs a good permanent experienced crew..simple as that.

Hello Russel, Milton and all!

Milton – nice pics, glad to see your ATG is on it’s way in, I remember the hassle we had with changing XS458’s back in the day. It caused literally Blood, Sweat, but not many tears! Really good to see the progress on your project – Say hello to Dave and Rod for me!

Haha… on the subject of bare aluminium Lightning – a sure-fire way to get it rottttting away! I like the old Army saying – if it moves, grease it; if it doesn’t, paint it! Like Milton said, if such aircraft had the privelage of either a hangar or a constant cleaning, oiling programme then it would be possible, but at great cost. But when the guys only have one day a week to keep her runnig and operating (outside, with only sheets protecting it from the elements), keeping on top of a bare aircraft would mean having to sacrafice time spent on other duties to keep it running.

Russ, I’m liking this idea of the Super BBQ!

Been a while since I’ve been in touch, hope to hear back from some familiar people soon. Little news from my end: I’m getting married in less than 3 weeks!!! it’s crazy how quick it’s come around.

Glad to be back posting on here, Scott Bouchard

Hey scott,Russ, sorry for the late reply, I only just noticed it! great to hear from you, its been ages since we have seen you.Sounds like all is good, getting married too eh (nutter!!) :D. thanks, ATGB went in without any fuss at all for us, no blood, not even a scratch!:eek: peachy! yes… project is well into its final stages now, she’s fuelled to the brim and champing at the bit! engineering mainly all done. Just lots of quiet wiring and engine dressing over winter, so it will be busy early next year. had a few minor hick ups recently in the programme, port wheel brake walking joint sprang a nice hyd leak everywhere, v inconvenient, so had to bleed the system again! then last week with fuel contents gauging going haywire on the port wing, (getting dab at sorting gauging problems out, real poo set up on the Lightning!!) had to defuel 2800lbs of avtur from port wing sat morning to get at the problem, but it was all sorted by midday on saturday and fuelled back up by 1pm! anyone would think we were going flying or somit:p

nice pics!. Tub’s looking spic and span as usual boys. still waiting on that go faster stripe tho!.Need to speak to you russ, will give you a buzz in the next couple of days.

c u soon….regards to Colin, john, andrew, from the saudi machine crew…Ma’ Alsalam (peace out):D:D