Appears my photos never made it through ‘tinternet’ so here’s another go….

Whoops missed out the id of the second photo – XS417 (now at Newark Air Museum)

Binbrook – The great Lightning sell off

Since we are in nostalgia mode and mourning the passing of the great twin engined rocket ship, here’s a couple of shots taken on the viewing day for the Lightning sell off in 1988. Apologies for the quality but they are scanned direct from the prints.

I have many more taken that day of the individual aircraft, it was quite some sight…
Enjoy (and shed a tear or two)……

Mark Ray

Do you want a Harrier then

Would love one but won’t fit in the garden….Will have to do with fixing up the JP5 cockpit I working on at present.
As for the original observation – My interest is in ‘Wrecks & Relics’ and trying to keep up to date with all the movements etc of these airframes after they have finished their days flying. I have homes for all the departed Sea Harriers (and photos in their new locations), but one is unknown to me – last reported ‘leaving to a fire training school in Devon’ I think the quote was. Just trying to put 2 & 2 together. So do we think its a Sea Harrier in the photo or not ?

Re Saudi lightning

Re former MOD airframes retaining their markings – If you look through the tender documents attached to the sale of these airframes there is usually a clause which refers you to removing said markings unless you apply to the air historical branch for permission to retain them. Fortunately they are not too interested in museum exhibits but as you say take a more active interest when they are destined to fly.

As for the flag – well at the end of the day the museum are complying to a request from BAe, made at the time it was aquired, which they have done and will probably continue to do so. If this offends your personal view of the aircraft then so be it, you can’t please everyone all the time !

If you wish to debate this further then please send me a PM and we can continue ‘off list’

Personally I think the fact that its back in Saudi mks is an achievement in itself rather than the psuedo RAF mks of other ex saudi machines and for the huge majority of visitors to the museum is more than enough.

Regards
Mark ray

Aircraft production at Longbridge

Austin first became involved in aircraft production during the first world war, producing SE5a’s, RE7’s and F2b’s amongst others. Some of these were flown off from a landing ground Austin had built by removing the top off a local Hill. This is now the site of what most people recognise as the Longbridge factory today. At the time it was a 75 acre 4,500 foot diameter circular landing ground.
Austin also dabbled with their own design of aircraft producing the AFB1 with Capt Albert Ball VC in 1917, the AFT3 Osprey in 1918 and the Austin Greyhound. Postwar they produced the Austin Kestrel and Whippet, none of thes designs ammaounting to other than ones or two’s in number.
Prior to the Second World War a new shadow factory was opened down the road from the airfield – locally this is known as East Works, and a Flight shed was also constructed. Early on this produced Fairy battles and Hurricanes, these being flown from the Airfield after being winched up the hill from the back of the Flightshed. Later production of Lancasters and Stirlings were transported by road to the then Elmdon – now Birmingham International airfield for final assembly and flight test.
The whole area under Longbridge is also ridled with tunnels as this was the site of an underground factory producing many types of war material from trucks to jerry cans, most of these still exist on site but are closed off for safety reasons.
Hope this is of interest
Mark

Did any of the WWII German helicopters survive the war? Are any preserved?

There is the bare rolling fuselage frame / rotorhead of a Flettner Kolibri preserved at the Midland Air Museum, this was part of the collection at Cranfield until it was dispersed in the 70’s.
I believe they also now have a BMW801 engine for it as well which came from America.