English Electric Lightning XS904 Nightshoot
‹ Return to Aviation History
English Electric Lightning XS904
At Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire.
Lightnings could fly at twice the speed of sound and apparently could climb up to three times the height of Everest.
My favourite aircraft.. ( had the privilege of a close up view inside the cockpit of one of these at RAF Binbrook way back in the 70’s)
Wow ..love the feel of these Ian – they have it so right there and what a bunch of wonderful people they are.
That 2nd shot semi silhouetted and head-on is just the ‘dogs’ :-))
Good picture, Ian. I like the lights in the hangar. The photo gives a feel of a jet fighter being prepared for a combat flight just before the dawn.
Nice tail emblem in the last shot!
I think I saw one of these at Cosford – there are some some superb examples of engineering around the aricraft world. This has some great exposure control Ian – you also have managed to get one being worked on
Thanks all. These set-ups with the crew were specifically for the benefit of the circle of photographers – the crews froze for a few seconds while we all snapped away at them!
Nice one, Ian!
Cracking image my friends Dad used to fly these in the late 60’s early 70’s. Made an awesome sound when they flew!
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodtherhodie]
Really? You or your friend got any old photos Rod? Can you imagine the power, flying one of these. I have yet to see one at an airshow, but what everyone mentions is the noise!
I have had the pleasure of sitting in the cockpit of the Norwich Lightning, very cramped.
Did they run one up?
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/maycontaintracesofnuts] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/stiemer]
Guys …apart from the Bruntingthorpe ones, there is a T.5 at Cranfield which does taxi runs. Sadly the only place you could still fly in one out at ‘Thunder City’ in SA was closed following the tragic loss of one of their flying T’5’s along with it’s pilot, Dave Stock.
The owner, Mike Beachyhead reluctantly put the whole outfit, 3 x Lightnings, 2 Buccaneers, 2 or 3 Hunters and odds and sods were put up for auction a few weeks back. What the outcome was I have no idea yet.
The only other place that is working towards a flying Lightning is at Stennis in Mississippi, where the old ETPS T.5 XS422 is almost to running stage 🙂
Great angle on the lead shot Ian it makes that ground crew member part of the scene …..in the angle i took he seemed a little lost !
it would have been the cream on top if they could have started one up …..i would have paid more to see that …..perhaps we should have gone around with a silver tray 🙂
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/29288836@N00]
considering how many can be seen up and down the country in gardens , feildsand on wasteland as well as the odd gaurdian its a real shame that so few are running .
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasujoba44] Absolutely. I guess it’s both the availablity of the necessary expertise and preverbial deep pockets that makes it so difficult. I hope the Stennis one does make into the air but if it does, my guess is it will get sold on soon after. Time will tell 🙂
A fabulous set of photos – beautiful aircraft. :~}
Great shots Ian, was it very busy? Kicking myself as I nearly went, I intend to get to the Thunderday at Whitsun, been once before, forgot to take my ear defenders, it was loud!
i did love these planes !
Very nice indeed mate, 2nd one down for me. That shortened tripod worked very well!
I like the dark kind of lonely look to the second photo.
A nice collection of photos taken in difficult lighting conditions. It adds to the imposing effect.
great to see guys clambering all over a machine like that. didn’t know those facts about speed and height, that’s an insane machine!!
.. the tank, was it nitrogen for the tyres?
really like the second shot down btw, how that aircraft is lurking in the shadows.
Another nice series Ian! Always did like the looks of the Lightning.
Special planes, well captured. My fave is probably the front end one. Would make a cool poster for a little boy’s bedroom.
Wonderful shots. I like the middle one in particular
Cracking shot again Ian! I keep missing their night runs!
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarscot] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/harrymeasures] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/24557420@N05] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/amybigkiss] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/bill_fawcett] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/angwickham] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/southseadave] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/27955898@N07] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/jainbow] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/29288836@N00] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasujoba44] Thanks guys! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/highy] Yeah the knackered tripod did all right in the end. Paul has sent me a link for a new one. It will be my fifth in 3 years. I am far too fuckin clumsy with my gear.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/jr55] Yeah it was very good John. Long way for you to go though?
A crackin’ Lightning shot….spent a week many years ago at Binbrook. Still remember the roar of takeoff!!! Some great shots on your stream, both of intact and crashed a/c 🙂