Few Photos From Tangmere
Discussion
Not sure if anyone would really be interested in these, but I went to Tangmere with my Grandfather yesterday. He's a retired Captain, having flown Meteors, Vampires, Hunters and Lightnings with the RAF, then Viscounts and 737s with BEA and British Airways.
For my 9th Birthday he took me to Hendon, so 20 years later I thought we'd go to another air museum. Really must get to Bruntingthorpe to see the Lightning runs.
Anyway, here are a few pics, they're more snaps to remember the day than serious studies of the machinery, but I can send across full size 10mp versions should anyone want to fiddle with them in Photoshop or something.
Sea Vixen
As it's winter the outdoor exhibits were partially covered. On some days in the Summer they open them up for you to sit in.
Phantom carrying Sidewinders, I think. In my Grandfather's words - "Sidewinders were bloody useless. But they cost ten times less than the Firestreak, so you could use more of them."
The staff discovered he was a Lightning instructor, so he was put in the simulator straight away. "I can't believe people do this for fun. This was always the most boring part of the job."
Here the museum chap is running through his checklist of what each instrument is. He then says "we don't know what this is, could you help us?" Turns out it was the sights for the radar.
It's a remarkably detailed reconstruction of the cockpit - at the moment all the instruments are computer screens. Over the winter they're working on making the original instruments computer controlled.
Neville Duke's record breaking Hawker Hunter F3.
View down the wing of a Supermarine Swift.
Hunter's engine currently being restored for ground runs.
Spitfire Vb replica.
Meteor F4, specially modified for air speed record.
Spitfire prototype replica.
This is an annotated diagram of the Meteor cockpit.
A familiar seat.
Another Hunter.
![]()
The Lightning really is an impressive machine. So much bigger than the Hunter that it shares a hangar with.
He managed to get halfway up the ladder before someone from the museum came in and told him off.
Cup of tea in the Naafi.
There are a couple of vids, but as they're in HD they're taking a while to upload, will link them when they're up on YouTube.
For my 9th Birthday he took me to Hendon, so 20 years later I thought we'd go to another air museum. Really must get to Bruntingthorpe to see the Lightning runs.
Anyway, here are a few pics, they're more snaps to remember the day than serious studies of the machinery, but I can send across full size 10mp versions should anyone want to fiddle with them in Photoshop or something.
Sea Vixen
As it's winter the outdoor exhibits were partially covered. On some days in the Summer they open them up for you to sit in.
Phantom carrying Sidewinders, I think. In my Grandfather's words - "Sidewinders were bloody useless. But they cost ten times less than the Firestreak, so you could use more of them."
The staff discovered he was a Lightning instructor, so he was put in the simulator straight away. "I can't believe people do this for fun. This was always the most boring part of the job."
Here the museum chap is running through his checklist of what each instrument is. He then says "we don't know what this is, could you help us?" Turns out it was the sights for the radar.
It's a remarkably detailed reconstruction of the cockpit - at the moment all the instruments are computer screens. Over the winter they're working on making the original instruments computer controlled.
Neville Duke's record breaking Hawker Hunter F3.
View down the wing of a Supermarine Swift.
Hunter's engine currently being restored for ground runs.
Spitfire Vb replica.
Meteor F4, specially modified for air speed record.
Spitfire prototype replica.
This is an annotated diagram of the Meteor cockpit.
A familiar seat.
Another Hunter.
The Lightning really is an impressive machine. So much bigger than the Hunter that it shares a hangar with.
He managed to get halfway up the ladder before someone from the museum came in and told him off.
Cup of tea in the Naafi.
There are a couple of vids, but as they're in HD they're taking a while to upload, will link them when they're up on YouTube.
HereBeMonsters said:
He managed to get halfway up the ladder before someone from the museum came in and told him off.
That made me chuckle.I always regret never getting the chance to look round an air show/museum with my grandfather (tail gunner on Lancasters so not quite the level of experience of your grandfather).
Your GranDa was a Lightning Jock!
FORGET 'Top Gun' - HE was the best of the best!
PLEASE give him my thanks and HUGE respect!
If you don't believe me, go read: "The Lightning Boys."
I spent a lot of time 'holding' at Binbrook with the Lightning Jocks as a baby Fighter Controller (before we were allowed to go Aircrew) and those guys were awesome. SUPERB pilots and, unlike the rest of the Fast Jet merchants of the time, they didn't feel the need to tell you HOW good they were, because they were that good!
I remember walking into the bar at Binbrook in 'Blues' and looking up and seeing all the flying boots nailed to the ceiling (from Jocks as had banged out) rapidly followed by being set on fire because I was in 'Blues'.
Holding on LTF and being told that I WAS to go on the Pub Night because I was part of LTF.
Being told that I was authorised for my first Lightning pax ride in the 'Tub' (T5).
Joining the 1000mph club.
Doing Combat with Jim Wild and 'Boots' Boothroyd.
As far as I am concerned, the Lightning Pilots were/are the best Fighter Pilots as ever lived!
<<<< 45 hrs in the Lightning T5
Oh, and don't ask about the 5 Sqn vs, 11 Sqn 'Are You There Morriarty?' in the Mess with shotguns!
FORGET 'Top Gun' - HE was the best of the best!
PLEASE give him my thanks and HUGE respect!
If you don't believe me, go read: "The Lightning Boys."
I spent a lot of time 'holding' at Binbrook with the Lightning Jocks as a baby Fighter Controller (before we were allowed to go Aircrew) and those guys were awesome. SUPERB pilots and, unlike the rest of the Fast Jet merchants of the time, they didn't feel the need to tell you HOW good they were, because they were that good!
I remember walking into the bar at Binbrook in 'Blues' and looking up and seeing all the flying boots nailed to the ceiling (from Jocks as had banged out) rapidly followed by being set on fire because I was in 'Blues'.
Holding on LTF and being told that I WAS to go on the Pub Night because I was part of LTF.
Being told that I was authorised for my first Lightning pax ride in the 'Tub' (T5).
Joining the 1000mph club.
Doing Combat with Jim Wild and 'Boots' Boothroyd.
As far as I am concerned, the Lightning Pilots were/are the best Fighter Pilots as ever lived!
<<<< 45 hrs in the Lightning T5
Oh, and don't ask about the 5 Sqn vs, 11 Sqn 'Are You There Morriarty?' in the Mess with shotguns!
Edited by Ginetta G15 Girl on Wednesday 9th November 00:44
Fab pictures and like GG15 total respect for your Grandad
I spent a week at Wattisham when I was C.I with the cadets back in the seventies and never failed to be in awe of the Lightning, aircaft and pilots. Unbelievably awesome machines.
I must get to that museum, there is a wonderful collection of really important aircraft there.
I spent a week at Wattisham when I was C.I with the cadets back in the seventies and never failed to be in awe of the Lightning, aircaft and pilots. Unbelievably awesome machines.
I must get to that museum, there is a wonderful collection of really important aircraft there.
Cheers guys, he is a very modest man and really has to be forced into giving up any stories. I don't think he's once said "when I was in the RAF..."
Here's a (very long) vid of him in their simulator. I'd probably skip to the landing around 16 mins for an interesting bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stAe4GLZZQQ
Here's a (very long) vid of him in their simulator. I'd probably skip to the landing around 16 mins for an interesting bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stAe4GLZZQQ
perdu said:
Fab pictures and like GG15 total respect for your Grandad
I spent a week at Wattisham when I was C.I with the cadets back in the seventies and never failed to be in awe of the Lightning, aircaft and pilots. Unbelievably awesome machines.
I must get to that museum, there is a wonderful collection of really important aircraft there.
We went to Wattisham in January of this year, where they have a small museum now, and a hangar with a Hunter and the front part of a Lightning.I spent a week at Wattisham when I was C.I with the cadets back in the seventies and never failed to be in awe of the Lightning, aircaft and pilots. Unbelievably awesome machines.
I must get to that museum, there is a wonderful collection of really important aircraft there.
As you have to go by appointment, the chaps running it discovered that he had made an emergency landing there in a Lightning in the late 60s (he ended up in the catch fencing at the end of the runway) they presented him with a mach meter from a Hunter, I think.
I've got a whole bunch of photos of their museum and hangars, if you're interested?
RizzoTheRat said:
I always regret never getting the chance to look round an air show/museum with my grandfather (tail gunner on Lancasters so not quite the level of experience of your grandfather).
Respect to your grandad though. Must be well up in the league of Worst Jobs in History, but someone had to do it.A lot didn't survive.
tight5 said:
get 'em up !
Finally got round to it:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Enjoy!
HereBeMonsters said:
I did!But mixed with a little sadness at the state of the museum exhibits
Very jealous that you got to go though
Thanks for the pictures, we spent a little time at the dispersals with the cadets back then.
Night ops when we were all awakened by the roar of a pair of Avons at reheat, doubled.
amazing
Wonderful memories from there
Thanks for yours
Thanks for that. I really enjoyed the story/pics and video. A big for your Grandad.
So is he going to get FS2004/FSX and buy http://www.fspilotshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=... after his Lightning sim experiance ?
for your Grandad.So is he going to get FS2004/FSX and buy http://www.fspilotshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=... after his Lightning sim experiance ?
John_S4x4 said:
Thanks for that. I really enjoyed the story/pics and video. A big for your Grandad.
So is he going to get FS2004/FSX and buy http://www.fspilotshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=... after his Lightning sim experiance ?
Cheers. Would that Lightning work with FSX? for your Grandad.So is he going to get FS2004/FSX and buy http://www.fspilotshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=... after his Lightning sim experiance ?
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff