I remember seeing one fly over Biggin Hill at little more than tree-top height, in the mid sixties. The cups literally jumped out of the saucers in the refreshment tent.
As a kid, I remember going to Farnborough on military only days with my Dad who was regular Army, and standing at the edge of the runway as a Lightning came down at 20ft with afterburners on - the sound curdled your insides - fantastic.
Anyone remember the fantastic pic of one about to crash?
Last I heard the top speed of these beasts was still Classified, somewhere between v and f fast. But if you want to speak of high speed low level it has to be the Blackburn Buccaneer.
As the Buccaneers left RAF service they did a final fly past over the factory at Brough that built them. Two did a REAL low pass and I watched hundreds of Yorkshiremen duck.
There was also one at GECs front gate at South Side (or somewhere not been there since 2001) in Edinburgh. Impressive. I understand it is still the only plane you could point straight up and it will still accelerate whilst going vertical.
13 comments:
What is this jet?
It's an English Electric Lightning.
I remember seeing one fly over Biggin Hill at little more than tree-top height, in the mid sixties. The cups literally jumped out of the saucers in the refreshment tent.
It was an impressive machine and still inspires.
Not much range but goes like stink.
English Electric made bloody good railway locomotives too. WTF has happened to the YoooKay ???
There's one parked up at Rochester Airport in Kent. Not exactly pristine but pretty imposing nonetheless.
Is there?
I'll actually leave Sussex and go to the dark side that is Kent and have a look.
Thanks.
As a kid, I remember going to Farnborough on military only days with my Dad who was regular Army, and standing at the edge of the runway as a Lightning came down at 20ft with afterburners on - the sound curdled your insides - fantastic.
Anyone remember the fantastic pic of one about to crash?
http://www.strangedangers.com/content/item/7392.html
Ain't this interweb thingy grand, dig up a memory - there it is, complete with tractor!
BTW Theo - the site is a hundred times faster now, thanks.
Jeremy Clarkson has one on his front lawn. Serious
@ Anon 22:29
Well, take rations, weapons and water. Here's the detail:
http://www.rochesterairport.flyer.co.uk/Index.htm
Last I heard the top speed of these beasts was still Classified, somewhere between v and f fast. But if you want to speak of high speed low level it has to be the Blackburn Buccaneer.
As the Buccaneers left RAF service they did a final fly past over the factory at Brough that built them. Two did a REAL low pass and I watched hundreds of Yorkshiremen duck.
There was also one at GECs front gate at South Side (or somewhere not been there since 2001) in Edinburgh. Impressive. I understand it is still the only plane you could point straight up and it will still accelerate whilst going vertical.
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