Delighted to share the latest in the Lightning Legends series, an interview with Andy 'The Boss' Williams! (Please forgive the wind noise, it is RAF Binbrook after all!)
My first operational senior boss (on 5 Squadron until closure) and the best I had through many years of service by a country mile. Good to see you looking so well Sir.
The affection for the aircraft really shone through & I would love to hear more stories from Andy too. He must have been great to have had as a boss as a JP on your 1st fighter squadron!
Andy should you read this, love your genuine enthusiasm for the job and the Lightning, that aircraft has always been one of my favourites. I remember as a young sprog in1977 flying over Binbrook on my way to Norwich in an Air Anglia F27 working military radar, all of a sudden a Lightning came vertically out of the low level cloud below us, a fabulous sight!
Many yrs.ago I and a friend on a motorbike were first on the scene of a Lightning crash at Hutton Cranswick and sadly the pilot was still in the cockpit but sadly did not get out.The aircraft was starting to burn and we could not get near it but I remember seeing a missile under the front fuselage which I assumed was live and at that point fire crews and RAF police arrived from Leconfield and proceeded to putout the fire with foam and gave us a good bollocking for being too close and asked us if we had stolen any souvenirs.We had Lightenings by day every 20 mins or so and Javelins by night over our house as we lived on the flight path for Leconfield.
the cameraman needs a wind screen on the camera :)) shame about the noise but great interview. So wind noise forgiven :))) I joined the RAF as an airframe fitter and always wanted a posting to Lightings sadly not to be :...( I did get a jolly in a Harrier once so not bad! However I worked on MANY conld war era aircraft and now fly myself hopefully a Spitfire one day at Biggin!
PS to below I think we also had Hawker Hunters as the Black Diamonds RAF display team so it was quite busy watching these practising over the Yorkshire airspace (away from the Lightnings ) Happy days when we had lots of aircraft and lots of stations.Armymyself but a similar situation
I was Andy’s and 5 Sqn’s last Lightning SEngO. I didn’t have a better boss in over 30 years as a Royal Air Force engineer officer.
Thanks Ken for those kind words. Thanks too for organising the 'red fin' for our Sqn Reunion in '86...!
My first operational senior boss (on 5 Squadron until closure) and the best I had through many years of service by a country mile. Good to see you looking so well Sir.
The affection for the aircraft really shone through & I would love to hear more stories from Andy too. He must have been great to have had as a boss as a JP on your 1st fighter squadron!
Andy should you read this, love your genuine enthusiasm for the job and the Lightning, that aircraft has always been one of my favourites. I remember as a young sprog in1977 flying over Binbrook on my way to Norwich in an Air Anglia F27 working military radar, all of a sudden a Lightning came vertically out of the low level cloud below us, a fabulous sight!
I’d love to hear more of Andy’s stories.
What a class aircraft the English Electric Lightning was. It’s speed and manoeuvrability would still give the modern jets a run for their money.
Happy times working for The Boss on 5 Sqn during the final days of the Lightning wonderfull Boss nice to hear his stories.
Thanks George.
Amazing british jet, with a very humble pilot, lovely to see 😊
All these Lightning pilots have giddy smiles and a sparkle in their eyes, its beautiful to see!
Thank you for sharing. Again such enthusiasm and love for the lightning and Binbrook
What a lovely guy. No hiding that smile
I love to hear the incredible stories from you guys.
Many yrs.ago I and a friend on a motorbike were first on the scene of a Lightning crash at Hutton Cranswick and sadly the pilot was still in the cockpit but sadly did not get out.The aircraft was starting to burn and we could not get near it but I remember seeing a missile under the front fuselage which I assumed was live and at that point fire crews and RAF police arrived from Leconfield and proceeded to putout the fire with foam and gave us a good bollocking for being too close and asked us if we had stolen any souvenirs.We had Lightenings by day every 20 mins or so and Javelins by night over our house as we lived on the flight path for Leconfield.
What a wonderful story from a wonderful man! 😊👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
what a lovely guy, loved his enthusiasm and stories 🙂👍
Good to see you Andy again.
Remembering the days at Radio 301 (RAF Wattisham)...!
Lovely to hear your tales of your experiences on the Lightning’s…I was with you guys in Air Ops 5sqn ‘83 -‘87 …a great tour🙂
the cameraman needs a wind screen on the camera :)) shame about the noise but great interview. So wind noise forgiven :))) I joined the RAF as an airframe fitter and always wanted a posting to Lightings sadly not to be :...( I did get a jolly in a Harrier once so not bad! However I worked on MANY conld war era aircraft and now fly myself hopefully a Spitfire one day at Biggin!
Wonderful, thank you for posting.
Wonderful man and stories...
You really feel like his Exitement about the Lightning. After all this Years, he seem to be still so Excited about the LIghtning.
Awesome interview
Fascinating stuff.
PS to below I think we also had Hawker Hunters as the Black Diamonds RAF display team so it was quite busy watching these practising over the Yorkshire airspace (away from the Lightnings ) Happy days when we had lots of aircraft and lots of stations.Armymyself but a similar situation
can you please ask him if hes willing to sign books / prints for enthusiasts ?
Wind noise- just wrap some foam found the mic. it's not hard if you are going to interview legends! Otherwise wonderful!