Lightning Preservation Group Day August 3rd 08

[will1988a]

Saw this beast on Sunday for the first time. It is one hell of an experience to stand a few feet away while it reheats, the noise is incredible. Its disgusting that the Lightning isnt allowed to fly

[junkers290]

The fastest and the greatest interceptor ever made, and it has to stay on the deck. What a travesty!

[stubbostubbs]

Is there not a Lightning pilot out there who`s coming to the end of his reign as a flyer and doesnt give a fk about losing his licence, who is willing to shove the levers fully forward. take off and say so what you wankers, I was gonna retire anyway!! I WOULD, but sadly, Ive only got my HGV1 !!! MY, WHAT A VIDEO THAT WOULD BE. You`d never buy a pint again !

[wks1978]

@stubbostubbs Problem is he'd probably end up in prison if he did that.

[stubbostubbs]

@stubbostubbs Well he can always claim altsheimers. Or, say he is a muslim and claim he`s being harrassed!

[sexualrenegade]

I dig how all the car alarms go off after that light up! haha!

[Barryat11]

Maybe the day will come when a Lightning flies from a British runway again.

It was years ahead of its time in the 60's & is a British military legend

[excarman]

I applaude england for preserveing such a magnficent aircraft and still be able to fly it. I would've loved to have flown it if I was a military pilot. But I'm just an aviation buff in th U.S that just appreaciates beautiful airplanes

[bigchiefmingingbolok]

@excarman ,there is one being restored to flight in the US by the Anglo-American Lightning organisation, i became a member 5 years ago and send donations when possible, hopefully the powers that be in the US will allow her to fly again, because i doubt that a lightning will ever fly in this country again

[excarman]

@bigchiefmingingbolok why is the U.S not allowing your organization to fly this magnificent aircraft to fly I would've loved to have gone up for a flight in it

[bigchiefmingingbolok]

@excarman, it cannot fly here in the UK, the Civil aviation authority(CAA) or Campaign against aviation as i like to call it, deem the lightning too dangerous to be flown by civilians, hopefully US authorities will be more understanding.

[ToonandBBfan]

@bigchiefmingingbolok

No aircraft deserved its name more than the Lightning

Its disgraceful that Britain cannot have the privilege of seeing this fine airplane fly again.

I assume the little Hitlers at the CAA think the Lightning has a little too much accelaration for a civilian to fly?

If thats the case would they allow an Ex-RAF pilot to fly her?

I'd love to see a Lightning outclimb the Eurofighter

[junkers290]

@ToonandBBfan Maybe that's why they won't let her fly. They would probably be embarrassed to see that the Lightning can out perform all modern fighter aircraft in sheer acceleration and top speed.

[postie2003]

CAA = Campaign Against Aviation.

[postie2003]

I loved the story about the BA Concorde trials over the North Sea in the 80's. They offered it as a target to NATO aircraft. Everyone had a pop including F-15s, F-16s, F-14s, Mirages and F-104s. Only the Lightning managed to overtake Concorde from behind. Was, and always will be a stupendously fast aircraft by any standards. Also could do brakes off to 36,000 ft in under 3 minutes! Such a shame to see something so keen to fly being restricted to taxi runs. This country sucks.

[Caracalla23]

Ifr I remember correctly James May had to travel to South Africa to take off in this magnificent example of British engineering. Frankly. how fucking prepostereous. Its almost as if we're ashamed of what we've achieved. I have little doubt that Stephensons Rocket would be banned today because of health and safety concerns or concerns over noise. If this aircraft was taking off 50 yards from my house I'd go and watch it and regard it as a privilege to do so and fuck the noise.

[matoy77]

Awww, it's pregnant. :D

[excarman]

@matoy77 the bulge is probably for extra fuel but I'll agree with you it does look like it's pregnant.

[dartmoordog]

Is there any way you can see this majnificent aircraft flly ?

[NickL1989]

where is this aircraft kept?

[320psi]

@NickL1989

Bruntingthorpe Leic

The CWJ's collection have an open day coming up on the 30th May, one of our Lightnings, XS904 will be run once for the crowd around lunch time and ake sure you come see you newly finished QRA Shed with both Lightnings inside

Cheers from us all in the LPG

[reav3rtm]

1:72 plastic model in exact same camouflage sitting on my desk :)

[Factnotfictionpeople]

@reav3rtm Saddo! LOL

[johndeerejack1]

the reason is because of the electrics and im not sure what about it it is but thats what it is

[Calvertfilm]

Great to see XS904 again. I've sat in this aircraft a few years ago when XR728 did the run that day. Fantastic planes. Lightning is the greatest.

[jakem1900]

lol what a aircraft the Lightning was wish i could of seen it in display

[Heathen66]

Coolest interceptor of all time! Go Lightning!!!!

[golchak]

porque esta magnifica aeronave não pode mais voar? eu sou do Brasil e não entendo essas coisas tolas que os ingleses adotam.. esta linda aeronave quer voar, e mesmo que não esteje operacional, não quer dizer que não esteja em condições de vôo. prazer cortado ao meio certo? triste ver como os ingleses tratam suas magnificas aeronaves.

[1975buddha]

OMG why won't they let her fly, that's what she's built for :o(

[320psi]

Hi, theres alot to 'why' Ligtnings arent able to fly in the uk, and it isnt just down to the CAA, belive I know,

Come and see us run them at Bruntingthorpe, its the best your gonna get.

I couldnt possibly go into the details here as to the 'why and were fors'

Cheers

320psi (LPG)

[TheBantlingboy]

Have the CAA ever given a reason why the lightnings will never fly in this Country?

I think planes with iconic status are like important buildings and should be preserved and used as planes and not just static museum pieces

[320psi]

Hi, Ive sent you a message explaining all the ins and outs, its not just down to the CAA, theres alot more to it than that

Look in your message box

Cheers

[fremlinskent]

Can't you post the link here so we can all know?

[Wanobi99]

It's about time one of these pilots just nails it and keeps going! Screw the rules! Long live Great Britain!

[Wanobi99]

What a travesty to preserve such a magnificent aircraft and not allow her to fly because some little jumped up little twat in the CAA says so. This nation used to be great, sadly we have now accepted our fate at the hands of facist dictators.

[xoio]

Actually more like bleeting Liberal Apologisers , & the namby pampy PC Brigade, have fucked this country up .... But it all started in the 60's, when the Governments then, mostly Labour, managed to wreck the UK Aircraft Industry!

[TheophilusPWildbeest]

Don't you just love aircraft that set off car alarms.

[lewdoom]

how bitter sweet is that, shame they wont allow her to fly here in the uk, would draw massive crowds.