'The Lightning Boys'

[Simpo Two]

As Lightnings seem to be popular here I thought I'd post a link to this book:

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Lightning-Boys-English-Electr...

Haven't read it but it gets very good reviews.

[magpie215]

no no we cannot have a Lightning thread without pics



As an aside I worked alongside Lightning pilot (George Aird) who banged out in the tractor picture when he was flying HS748s out of Blackpool :-)

[Druid]

Yeh, more pics!

[Simpo Two]

'Dead Bug!'

[heisthegaffer]

I've read the lightning boys, very good it is. Read it too quickly though and I hope there is more to come!

[martin mrt]

I have read it too, and I'll agree with the above poster, fantastic read and I hope there is more to come.

[perdu]

Looks like another good book to keep up on my shelf after a few readings.


Now

A question

I have seen references to a bulge on the spines on some Lightnings but have not actually seen any of the threads in modelling sites that whitter on about these things.

But the spine behind the canopy of this F6 in the picture seems a bit "Bulgey" to me. Is this one of the aircraft that gets mentioned when the topic arises?



And does anyone know what it is all about, certainly doesn't look like the usual smooth rising spine on any Lightnings I ever modelled.

[DamienB]

Yes, the first two panels behind the canopy do have a very slight bulge. The kit inside doesn't need them to - I always assumed it was an aerodynamic tweak.

[DamienB]

Looking back through some very old Lightning pics, XA847 (P.1B) flew with several different canopy styles and the definitive canopy style and the bulgey spine panels appear at the same time.

[perdu]

Cheers Damien, funny how they don't show up on the other pictures I have seen so far.

There'd be a very subtle bit of modelling to get that bulge down "proper like" in 1/72 scale

Nice pictures, OK to blag them for my model archive?

[pstruck]

Simpo Two said:

As Lightnings seem to be popular here I thought I'd post a link to this book:

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Lightning-Boys-English-Electr...

Haven't read it but it gets very good reviews.

Added to Amazon 'wish list'. Got to be worth a go.

[DamienB]

perdu said:

Cheers Damien, funny how they don't show up on the other pictures I have seen so far.

There'd be a very subtle bit of modelling to get that bulge down "proper like" in 1/72 scale

Nice pictures, OK to blag them for my model archive?

Sure. I'm pretty sure the bulge is on every single seater - it's so subtle it doesn't show up easily in photos, particularly with a matt or satin paint finish to hide the highlights that reveal its existence.

[perdu]

DamienB said:

Sure. I'm pretty sure the bulge is on every single seater - it's so subtle it doesn't show up easily in photos, particularly with a matt or satin paint finish to hide the highlights that reveal its existence.

Thanks

I wonder if it was as a result of the area ruling that was used on the Ts, maybe found beneficial in the single seaters too. I remember reading that BAC/EE were able to use the huge body of information on area rule garnered by Hawker Siddely for the two seater Hunters when they to "two seated" the Lightning.


(I wonder where I remember that from? Might have been Profile Pubs on the two seater Hunters...)

or viceversa

[Ginetta G15 Girl]

perdu said:

I wonder if it was as a result of the area ruling that was used on the Ts.

I think that's very possible.

perdu said:

I remember reading that BAC/EE were able to use the huge body of information on area rule garnered by Hawker Siddely for the two seater Hunters when they to "two seated" the Lightning.

Indeed. The T5 had almost exactly the same performance as the F3, despite being a 'Tub'. Its heavier weight did mean that it was a bit thirstier on the AVTUR though.



PS: I read 'The Lightning Boys' last year. I would recommend it, although some of the'incidents' in there are pretty hairy!

[SVX]

My copy arrived today!

[5705]

I must get this. My neighbour (Mike Hobson) passed away late last year and he was a Lightning pilot. He always said it was an entertaining ride.

[Druid]

5705 said:

He always said it was an entertaining ride.

This handsome young man looks suitably entertained!

[Vieste]

[XG332]

Good thread

[aeropilot]

Druid said:

5705 said:

He always said it was an entertaining ride.

This handsome young man looks suitably entertained!

And the famous '452 as well