Lightning T5 Jet XS458. Afterburner Show & High Speed Taxi. Cranfield Airfield.

This is the finest example of a Lightning T5 jet in Britain, its owned by Russell Carpenter who totally loves the EE Lightning,its based at Cranfield Airfield. I had a great day attending a high speed taxi run & reheat event. The team maintaining the jet are a great bunch of aviation fans, full of vitality and a touch of the Dunkirk spirit, its amazing how they keep this iconic piece of aviation history in running condition.

http://www.lightningt5.com/

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• T5
• lightning
• jet
• cranfield
• airfield
• airport
• english
• electric
• xs458
• two
• seater
• cold
• war
• high
• speed
• taxi
• run
• afterburner
• reheat
• show
• event
• military
• raf
• airshow
• display
• thunder
• runs
• cafe
• pacific
• russell
• carpenter
• milton
• keynes

[edj66]

I'm damn sure that would fly if allowed!

[Wonkabar007]

@edj66 Yes it is fully flight ready, a proper pilot has to do the taxi run. The CAA won't allow Lightnings to actually fly in the UK, because it says they are too technically complicated for folks to maintain.

[gtvdtm]

Who ever that irresponsible fool is at 4:35, he wants stringing up!!!. obviously zero clue of eflux or temps, or any regard for the rest of the crew....idiot!

[Wonkabar007]

@gtvdtm What is "Eflux" ? is it stuff that come out the engine.

[LordFlasheart575]

I thought the avon 301's of the lightning produced around 17000lb of thrust each?

Also, any idea how much the guy paid for his son to have a ride in the cockpit?

[Wonkabar007]

I think 17000lb is with both engines in afterburner.

The ride cost around £600.

[edj66]

@Wonkabar007 Such a shame. Perhaps if the money could be found, the military could run one as part of an historic flight! Dreams...they're wonderful.

[deeka24]

@gtvdtm so with the co giving the all clear to go into reheat and looked arround to make sure all was safe and clear to do so, who was at fault may i ask, i did seek permition to film from that position, and if i was in any danger who was responsible ? would it be the man in charge ? as i said before i would be quite happy to discuss the full facts about this incident, anytime you wish, now stop slating me without the full facts, hindsight is a wonderfull thing,

[deeka24]

@gtvdtm i am that idiot at 4;35 and was told i was safe there, so stop making asumptions and asuming people are fools or idiots, and if you would like to meet up so you can point out the errors of my ways, i would be more than happy to accomidate you,in the mean time i would suggest you get a hold on the facts before making comments

[emilyabbie]

Built in England, not allowed to fly in England, ONLY in England......

[mcwolfus]

@gtvdtm Agreed. It wasnt a great idea of his. I stood behind a Vampire once, during a start up, and it was a great experience, but hazardous.

[gtvdtm]

@mcwolfus not like that he wasnt. I know this airframe and CO personally. He quite rightly booted this ground crew member off of the team when he saw this. all crew are briefed what not to do before every run, including not standing directly behind eflux zones. there's no room for stupidity like that around these machines. the chap was lucky not to lose his sight..

[mcwolfus]

@gtvdtm steady on old chap, he was under orders from the CO to record the event.  lol

[jimdreferee]

A triumph of thrust over aerodynamics !

[bgibb101]

@edj66 - sounds like bollocks to me. They should allow her to fly at airshows at least. A pity Richard Branson didn't get his hands on a Concorde - he would have kept at least one airworthy.