Discussion
I had an interesting day last Saturday when I went to Bruntingthorpe where I had a lovely time wandering around and chatting to the engineers and pilots.
There are various cold war aeroplanes there, sadly the majority are not airworthy but this band of dedicated volounteers spend their spare time in a sysyphean task. They explained how they had obtained various aeroplanes and spares, refurbishing them, stripping and re-painting, changing engines and generally making good with a view to making them as close to flying condition as possible. The culmination of all this effort is full-on take off runs
including re-heat for those that can. It strikes me that aborting the run and stopping the aircraft before the ranway end could be frought with danger and indeed there was an incident last year when a Handley Page Victor briefly became airborne, some very brown trousers resulted in a full enquiry,luckily not an inquest.
I had a great time as the chaps encouraged me to sit in the cockpits of the Hunter, the Victor and the Guppy and I even managed to sweet-talk to sit in the Lightning. Quite something for me as the Lightnings were at Wattisham, my last posting in the RAF so evoking many memories.
Chatting to the Lightning pilot we got on to the subject of the British Aircraft industry and some of the decisions made by the politicians. He was of the firm view that Stafford-Cripps should be dis-interrred and hung again as a traitor much in the fashion of Cromwell. I had alway thought that Healey was responsible but he laid much on S-C re-callling how he was responsible for giving the Russians our secrets of the jet engine. The result was that in the Korean war we had the Rolls Royce designed engine fighting on both sides and resulting in many losses of "our" aircraft and crew. Apparently daylight operations of the B29 were curtailed due to the efficiency of the Rolls engined Russian fighters in bringing them down.
Nothing changes does it as we have the news today that the Harrier fleet is to be axed leaving us with two carriers and no fast jet aircraft to fly from them.
There are various cold war aeroplanes there, sadly the majority are not airworthy but this band of dedicated volounteers spend their spare time in a sysyphean task. They explained how they had obtained various aeroplanes and spares, refurbishing them, stripping and re-painting, changing engines and generally making good with a view to making them as close to flying condition as possible. The culmination of all this effort is full-on take off runs
including re-heat for those that can. It strikes me that aborting the run and stopping the aircraft before the ranway end could be frought with danger and indeed there was an incident last year when a Handley Page Victor briefly became airborne, some very brown trousers resulted in a full enquiry,luckily not an inquest.
I had a great time as the chaps encouraged me to sit in the cockpits of the Hunter, the Victor and the Guppy and I even managed to sweet-talk to sit in the Lightning. Quite something for me as the Lightnings were at Wattisham, my last posting in the RAF so evoking many memories.
Chatting to the Lightning pilot we got on to the subject of the British Aircraft industry and some of the decisions made by the politicians. He was of the firm view that Stafford-Cripps should be dis-interrred and hung again as a traitor much in the fashion of Cromwell. I had alway thought that Healey was responsible but he laid much on S-C re-callling how he was responsible for giving the Russians our secrets of the jet engine. The result was that in the Korean war we had the Rolls Royce designed engine fighting on both sides and resulting in many losses of "our" aircraft and crew. Apparently daylight operations of the B29 were curtailed due to the efficiency of the Rolls engined Russian fighters in bringing them down.
Nothing changes does it as we have the news today that the Harrier fleet is to be axed leaving us with two carriers and no fast jet aircraft to fly from them.
Well, it was indeed cold - so cold that the ice on the runway prevented the taxi run from taking place. However given peeps had turned up they tugged out XS904 to run up the engines individually.
The best part of the day was seeing people experience the feeling of the engine run for the first time.
Thanks to all who keep these running and make these opportunities possible.
The best part of the day was seeing people experience the feeling of the engine run for the first time.
Thanks to all who keep these running and make these opportunities possible.
M-J-B said:
How close (mechanically) is that Lightning to actual flight?
If, like the slight mishap last year of the Victor at Brunters, the Lightning went airborne for a second of two during a run, is it capable of sustained flight and perhaps a circuit back to land?
Would have thought so but I know for a fact that if something went wrong on a taxi run they'd rather raise the u/c and ditch it on the grass than risk flying it.If, like the slight mishap last year of the Victor at Brunters, the Lightning went airborne for a second of two during a run, is it capable of sustained flight and perhaps a circuit back to land?
spitfire-ian said:
M-J-B said:
How close (mechanically) is that Lightning to actual flight?
If, like the slight mishap last year of the Victor at Brunters, the Lightning went airborne for a second of two during a run, is it capable of sustained flight and perhaps a circuit back to land?
Would have thought so but I know for a fact that if something went wrong on a taxi run they'd rather raise the u/c and ditch it on the grass than risk flying it.If, like the slight mishap last year of the Victor at Brunters, the Lightning went airborne for a second of two during a run, is it capable of sustained flight and perhaps a circuit back to land?
Ledaig said:
Well, it was indeed cold - so cold that the ice on the runway prevented the taxi run from taking place. However given peeps had turned up they tugged out XS904 to run up the engines individually.
They should've jacked the front up a bit and use the engines to clear the runway of ice!M-J-B said:
spitfire-ian said:
M-J-B said:
How close (mechanically) is that Lightning to actual flight?
If, like the slight mishap last year of the Victor at Brunters, the Lightning went airborne for a second of two during a run, is it capable of sustained flight and perhaps a circuit back to land?
Would have thought so but I know for a fact that if something went wrong on a taxi run they'd rather raise the u/c and ditch it on the grass than risk flying it.If, like the slight mishap last year of the Victor at Brunters, the Lightning went airborne for a second of two during a run, is it capable of sustained flight and perhaps a circuit back to land?
It's possible that either '728 or '904 could do a circuit.....but over the 20+ years of keeping them 'live' just too many non flight worthy parts have been fitted to each a/c that given the Frightenings reputation, would likely mean it wouldn't make even a circuit..... and as I said, with no bang seats......
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 29th November 22:16
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