The plane enthusiasts thread

[gbb]

Friday, id guess headed into Mildenhall, we saw a B52, no chance to get the camera out but a few minutes later..a C5 Galaxy at about the same heading / altitude...

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Lightning XR724

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0ejr2rrzo

 

[DaveReading]

Lightning XR724

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0ejr2rrzo

Good for Grace!

But I hope that the photo of her working under the wing with her long, uncontained hair isn't for real.

I've still got my hairnet somewhere from when I was an apprentice.

 

[DaveReading]

There's a great account of the somewhat troubled history (post-RAF) of that particular Lightning here:

https://www.lightningassociation.co.uk/xr724

I've never managed to get my head around the idea of a painted Lightning.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I remember 'XN728', when it was at the side of At, just south of Newark-on-Trent
(there's a few of my photos, here)

https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivor.php?id=65


There's also Castle Motors, at Liskeard (Cornwall) with 'XS 936' on the forecourt
https://www.castlemotors.com/used-ariel-atom-liskeard-cornwall-7930902

 

[Jameshow]

Lightning XR724

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0ejr2rrzo

Retired in 1991 surprised it was so late!

Bet it could give a typhoon a run for it's money until the tanks ran dry!🤣🤣🤣

 

[BrumJim]

Lightning XR724

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0ejr2rrzo

Lovely.

Rumour has it that my Grandfather was Squadron Leader at Binbrook. But well before the Lightnings were there. Might have been Mosquitos in those days.

 

[DRM]

Retired in 1991 surprised it was so late!

Bet it could give a typhoon a run for it's money until the tanks ran dry!🤣🤣🤣

XR749 was supposed to be the fastest Lightning that the R.A.F had, it holds the record for intercepting an American U2 at 88,000 feet, the only aircraft capable of such a feat, and was also capable of intercepting, and overtaking Concorde!

View: https://youtu.be/8DdUwIhI-ZA?si=1AH1qar-cexq9RlC

Also lets hope young Grace doesn't do what R.A.F aircraft technician, Taffy Holden did in 1966 in XM135, & accidentally get airborne in it!
oh to have been a fly on the wall when he got marched into the C.O's office

View: https://youtu.be/MzlnMRwnzdw?si=J58E2ZhJ0-PSt2TK

 

[Bristolian]

There's also Castle Motors, at Liskeard (Cornwall) with 'XS 936' on the forecourt
https://www.castlemotors.com/used-ariel-atom-liskeard-cornwall-7930902

I remember XS936 at Castle motors. I spent a very pleasant half-hour photographing it once whilst on my way to a photo shoot in Penzance. The manager at the garage was really good and even offered to move some of the cars for me, which I declined. Here are a couple taken with a Nikon D300 and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. According to the EXIF data these were shot on the 12th June 2012 ... how time flies

 

[figbat]

I remember XS936 at Castle motors. I spent a very pleasant half-hour photographing it once whilst on my way to a photo shoot in Penzance. The manager at the garage was really good and even offered to move some of the cars for me, which I declined. Here are a couple taken with a Nikon D300 and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. According to the EXIF data these were shot on the 12th June 2012 ... how time flies

View attachment 809541

View attachment 809542

Nice lens!

 

[Bristolian]

Nice lens!

Yeah, it was one of my favourites back then. It went along with all my pro gear when I sold the business in 2016.

 

[gbb]

Local papers announced the Red Arrows were passing right over Peterborough today although I had no idea what time.

I happened to be out at the car around midday...oh yes, right over the top of the houses, a formation of 5, then 4 behind (i think)
Always brings a smile...

 

[Ratchet Cat]

I am off to a small airfield later to watch the planes, look around the museum and sample the wares in the cafe.
I like to take my airband radio with me.
There’s always interesting small planes and helicopters there.