THE LAST LIGHTNING SHOW 1987 WITH A TWIST.
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- čas přidán 15. 02. 2010
- THIS IS PART OF A VHS TAPE GIVEN TO ME A WEEK AFTER THE LAST BINBROOK AIRSHOW IN 1987 BY A YOUNG MAN WHO I MET ON THE BASE FILMING THE SHOW , HE NEVER GAVE ME HIS NAME, JUST ASKED FOR MY DETAILS AND CARRIED ON FILMING,
"THE SHOW IS NOW A PIECE OF AVIATION HISTORY".
IT HAS BEEN A PART OF MY BINBROOK COLLECTION FOR MANY YEARS, AND STORED IN A CABINET, BUT WHY LEAVE IT IN A DARK PLACE
" LET IT RELIVE ITS HERITAGE BACK ON THE SCREEN"
- - - PLEASE NOTE - - - IF THE OWNER OF THE VHS TAPE POSTED TO ME ALL THOSE YEARS AGO WISHES FOR THIS FOOTAGE TO BE REMOVED OR IS UNDER COPYRIGHT PLEASE GET IN TOUCH AND I WILL REMOVE IT I DO NOT WISH TO OFFEND ANYONE BY POSTING IT" IT`S JUST A SHAME TO LOCK IT BACK IN A DARK PLACE AGAIN.
"ENJOY THE LAST LIGHTNING DIAMOND NINE". THIS COMES UNDER THE COPYRIGHT OF JETNOISEFOREVER .
The Lightning is a legend. The plane that intercepted the U2 from above, which was supposed to fly so high it couldn't be intercepted. The plane which intercepted the Concorde from behind, which supposed to be faster. The fighter with a climb rate it took the Americans almost 2 decades to match. Sure it had it's limitations like short range, high maintenance cost, and limited armament, but it was unmatched for its time.
Did this happen?
Well said. M.
My Dad used to take me to the air-shows in the early sixties. I remember the announcement at one of those that a Lightening would be approaching the field from our left, followed by the statement that "He's coming a bit quick". We watched this dot get bigger. There was a complete absence of sound, in fact you could say that the silence was deafening. Then a few seconds of that whisper of tortured air followed by the thunder as it rocketed past, tipped it's nose up and shot for the heavens. Wish I could experience that again.
I was there at 17 years old with my sister and my two nieces. It was raining so much and we didn't have umbrellas, so we ended up wearing discarded plastic bags from soft toys that were on sale. I was so entranced by the aircraft taking off that I missed the ones coming at the crowd line. The first one shocked me so much I almost fell over backwards. All I remember was seeing the two glowing afterburners disappearing into the rainy skies, and then the next one, and the next... It was absolutely amazing. I grew up about 11 miles from Binbrook and saw the Lightnings fly over all the time. It was a shame to see them go.
I was there! I never thought I'd see this on film. Been looking for years, many times, can't believe it was posted 4 years ago. This film does not of course do it justice.
It had been raining on and off. Much debate over the tannoy as to whether they would go or not. Then they all started engines on their hard standing. One at a time until 11 of them, not nine, had engines running, I kid you not, the ground was shaking, never heard/felt the like. Then they individually taxied to the end of the runway for take off. They each took off on burner, banked right and looped around to cross the runway about halfway down, just as the next aircraft was taking off. As they crossed over the guy below, they hit burner and went into the famous alpha climb. It was truly awesome, I have never seen anything as impressive or noisy.
The last part was the best. The formation fliers landed I think, then the MC came on. He said "two aircraft had detached and gone over the north sea and then gone supersonic, they'll be here shortly. Just keep your eyes on the runway from left to right, Red Arrows eat your hearts out!"
Then a silver dart flew past, very low, the moisture in the air was picked up and it seemed to fly in a thousand rainbows. There was no sound at this time. The silver dart went past at a speed you can't imagine and disappeared out to the right, as I lost sight of him the sound arrived. It moved down the runway apparently not connected to anything.
Truly magnificent. I was on leave at the time and was reluctant to go to the last air day at Binbrook but we were visiting the in-laws and they wanted to go. I'm so, so glad I went. Didn't think I'd be impressed. How wrong.....
Sounds (no pun intended) amazing!
John - I was also there, very low cloud and a brilliantly tight formation - I remember the commentator saying something like, "Eat your hearts out Red Arrows".
i was there too and you described it brilliantly. never seen or heard anything like it before and i loved ee lightnings before the show after it they are edged in my brain as my favourite aircraft. i so miss them but not the wet weather.
Me too! A couple of friends were sure there would be no show so went into town. Boy were they miffed when they missed it. Got a picture in the cockpit as well which is on display to this day :-)
me and the wife was there great day apart from heavy rain most of the day i live near the base went in 1988 runways gone most of the hangers gone in my eyes a toral disgrace but we dont get a say all the best
The Lightnings also have Based at Gütersloh in Germany, That's my Homecountry by the way, At that time i was a Little Boy. I also like it to be on British Airshows, My Favorite Airshow in the United Kingdom is the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Greetings from Germany from the German Aircraft Spotter Coleague. It's a Great Pleasure for me to Take a Visit at your Country.
Patrick - When I went to King's school, Sundern, we used to go swimming at Gutersloh {circa 1961]. I also enjoyed going to the IATA meetings at RAF Fairford.
@@curiouslarry6933 my dad was in 92 Sq and I went to Haig school 69/70.
I served at Binbrook twice, and was actually on duty at the fire station on this day. The jets all buzzed the tower (which is right next to the fire station), then went vertical - it was one of the most memorable days of my life, absolutely amazing. Everyone I know that served at Binbrook and worked with Lightnings all agree that there is something special about both - had some unforgettable times there. Thanks for posting this, Andy Trafford.
This and the Vulcan are my two favorite aircraft of all time. Great show!
And Harrier and Buccaneer top of british engineering
Vulcans always gave me a "dredd " feeling when they flew overhead, like some sort of prehensile predatory animal....( I was only 10 )
This gave me goosebumps....didn't want it to end....I lived near RAF Woodford all through my youth and the Lightning was the plane I wanted to see the most at the airshow every year...it was never, never as good after them and the Vulcan went!...thanks for sharing...brilliant!!
Went to the show with my late dad. Getting close to Binbrook we heard on the radio that the gate had been closed due to numbers attending. Felt completely gutted! Anyway turned down a lane and found ourselves at the end of the runway. What a great day we had!
Us too, missed out on this one
Served at RAF Binbrook 83-85 at a fireman. up to 10 "shouts" a day with hydraulic failures and duff chutes! We were adrenelin junkies! Damm I miss it! Miss the lightnings too! Took my lad to Hendon a few years ago and saw one there. Realised I was now old and my life was in a museum! LOL!
you have probably seen the best aircraft of all time in your career in the raf,todays aircraft aren't half as noisy[exciting].
Laurie - I laughed at your mention of becoming a museum 'exhibit' - I know that feeling well. I remember seeing the arming and bombing up of late marque Spitfires and Mosquitoes, and Bristol Brigands {updated Beaufighters], and Lincoln heavy bombers {supposedly improved Lancasters], variously stationed at RAF Changi, Singapore, circa 1950-52. I was a BritBrat during the 'twilight of the British Empire], the Royal Navy still had quite a lot of WWII type ships - all guns and no missiles as of then. I remember being on trains pulled by engines such as Mallard, Sir Nigel Greasley and Flying Scotsman, all now consigned to museum pieces, or converted to cars and razor blades. I once sat in the cockpit of a Spitfire, at RAF Catterick, circa 1953, and in my child mind imagined being a BofB pilot. As for the Binbrook Lightning display on that soggy and overcast day in 1987, I was there, and along with most of that admiring crowd, saw that very tight and low low level [last] Diamond Nine formation they flew - "Eat your hearts out Red Arrows" was a comment made by the guy in the control tower.
Me from 1972 to 1977 bet most of the hydraulic problems were to avoid customs after returning from abroad lol
type raf binbrook theres videos of it think the last video was 2017 but be warned the have desroyed the base its a crime i live near bnbrook and i was at rhe 1987 airshow base closed 1988 but youl no that all the best
J'y étais. Quel show. Du grand art !!! Merci à la RAF.
Just getting 9 lightning's serviceable was a feat in itself !!
This brings back memories. I was a member of the Vintage Aircraft Team and flew to Binbrook Last of the Lightnings as ground support in a Vampire T11 with our chief pilot Stan Hodgkins ex Lightning Jocky and on our wing was Wiz Wilson flying the Venom MK4 he flew Jaguars in Oman. Pissed down with rain but a great day.
Went to the bash that evening and had a right skin full. Thanks for sharing this.
Jus a note to say THANKS for posting this video. My dad took me to this show but at the time I didn't realise the relevance of it as I was 14 . I will never forget the 9 LIghtning takeoff, 270deg turn and vertical pull up over the crowd. I can remember feeling the heat as each one pulled up over our heads. I have told people I remembered the fast passes and being able to only see the nose of the jet as the rest was engulfed in a shock wave due to the conditions. Simply awesome! Many many thanks!
I attended an ATC camp at RAF Binbrook during its final years before it closed. We were treated to solo display as the pilot was carrying out his practice for a future airshow.It can be summed up in one word spectacular!!. We were allowed to climb into a number of aircraft and one cadet was flown in the two seater********* . Thanks to the guy who shot the film and thanks to you for showing it to us that's brought back great memories heady days.
I was there with 1279 ATC squadron from Melton Mowbray, and my Dad! One of the most memorable airshows I ever went to, the ground shook when they took off on full afterburner, and as I recall, they had special permission to go out over the North Sea, go supersonic and do a Mach 1+ fly past. Almost tore every muscle in my neck having to whip my head around so quick 😂.... amazing display, everytime they pulled G there was a huge vapour cloud, I'll never forget it! Thanks for sharing this!
Saw one at St Athan with my now late Dad who did his national service on airframes there. We were close to the runway; the roar of that EE Lightning as the pilot applied re-heat was something you never forget. Cheers Dad, good times indeed.
Thank you so much for this. A special aircraft doing amazing work. 1987 is also one of my favorite years because that is when Guns N Roses released "Appetite For Destruction."
I was there too. It rained continuously all day. We had spent 5 yrs living at Manby. My husband was at Binbrook. We were soaked to the skin! Didn't care. Loved every second of it. Amazing to see it again. It's now August 15th 2017. Greetings from Yorkshire. (RIP Carole)
Lyn Matthews where was this filmed please
Hi Kevin. It was RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire, close to the East coast of England. Hope that helps.
Lyn Matthews Lincolnshire is my home county, Binbrook is just just a very peaceful village now. Thanks for answering
Kevin. You’re welcome. We had friend’s in the village. Opposite the pub ( The Marquis of Granby ). It’s a great county, nice people.
What incredible skill. The finest close formation I've ever seen. My alltime favourite Fighter+ Nothing else like it.
I used to go to RAF St Athen as a kid thru the 70's and 80's and this beast along with the vulcan scared the living crap out of me, but i loved every minute of it. On the edge of the sound barrier and felt like touching distance off the ground, flying over our heads.. Great times.. Time to get one up in the air me thinks!!
What a fantastic display ! And in such awful weather ! We were there to see it and I will never forget it. ( I always thought it was 1988 ,must be getting old. )
I was there that day with my late mother and father, they had retired to Lincoln, the weather was diabolical but we got to see the lightning's for the last time.
I was there too. I drove a friend there as a favour, as he liked aircraft and Lightnings in particular. The memories of that finale with them taking off, looping and then going vertical will never leave me
Wow!!! Wonderful footage! Thank you to the person who donated it and thank you Jetnoiseforever for sharing it! ❤️❤️❤️
I'm another survivor of the display- it was the most amazing aircraft display and in that weather!
Thunder and Lightning!!!!
Lovely lovely surprise coming across this video, thank you for posting - I was an RAF child for 33 years until my Dad retired and have never lost the love of aircraft and have always loved this beauty
Remember the show well. Everybody was moaning about the weather, including me! But looking back it made the show even more spectacular! I've often wondered why the Red Arrows haven't copied that Lightning take off. A fantastic spectacle, a belated WELL DONE to all concerned.
What an amazing video. Was lucky enough to be there that day as a young lad with my family, dad used to work at RAF binbrook for BAE fixing them so he says. We used to drive out from east yorks on days when he knew takeoffs would be happening and park at the side of the road just down from end of runway and watch them takeoff, fantastic memories!! when RAF binbrook closed I used to go watch rallying on there until that ended (sadly), now theres not much left of the great place as in the airfield, very saddening!
Brings back big memories for me I was the last production supervisor at Wharton to be responsible for servicing and preparing for flight the last four lightnings to fly in the U.K.
XR728 XR773 XS904 and last but not least The silver bird XP693
Love this !!!! Got a lot of stills from this show, almost ruined my camera with all the rain, it was worth every rain soaked second, just to say I was there with goosebumps on goosebumps. Thanks for posting this, I couldn't have been more than a few steps away from were this was shot. What fantastic memories, thanks to 5 & 11 squadrons for a great show not forgetting the LTF (but I think they had gone by the time of the show)
When Airshows were Airshows with proper fighters.
I'm from Preston as well and was there on the day this was filmed (on duty at the fire station) - absolutely thrilled to see this video. Come on North End!
So am I. Going down this season '18-'19.
Brilliant video. Thanks for posting. Was at Leuchars one year when 12 Lightnings flew in formation. Four each from 23, 74 and 11 Squadrons I think. After flying in formation each aircraft did what the Lightning does best - beat up the airfield at about 250 feet and on full reheat went straight up. 12 of them one after the other. What a noise. The ground trembled.
I grew up here RAF Binbrook this is my childhood, The centre of my universe, I went back not so long ago and was almost reduced to tears, the only recognisable feature left was the QRA sheds, but the memories live strong ..the alert 5, the icy long cold winters, the wide open spaces and the noise of lightnings departing and coming home, one thing about lightnings nothing was ever done quietly
I was there that day too........I was a Radar/Comms man on XI that year, although I was actually on leave that day and had brought some friends along to see it.
I used to see EE Lightnings do a scramble on a lot of occaisions.Weused to live in Germany and they were based at RAF Gutersloh.Its an awesome jet and in my mind still hasnt been beaten!
I was at Binbrook that day - drizzle type rain and heavily overcast which meant the Diamond 9 formation had to be done at low level for the onlookers to see. Despite not being designed for tight formation flying, the pilots held the aircraft close and with great precision. In the words of the commentator in the control tower, "Eat your hearts out Red Arrows!"
Cant believe it was 35 years ago now. We made it after a long drive in the rain, (losing a windscreen wiper on the way!) but nothing was going to stop us being there. Still my favourite aircraft of all time. 100% raw power.
I was there. What a show and what an aircraft. The Lightning has no equal in my book. Thanks for sharing.
I was there, That 9 was as good as any red arrow display. when i was a lad we use to bike out to Binbrook and watch them test them. there was one in the air every 15 mins day and night, fantastic plane , still holds climb records to this day.
I was there as well, what a show, soaked through, was worth every second. They just about broke every airshow rule, flying over the crowd, flying towards the crowd at low leavel, high speed passes at low leavel over the crowd, that was a big two fingers to the H&S morons hahaha. They gave us just what we wanted except for a supersonic pass but the two singletons came dam close. Still got the "T" shirt and the programme got Ian Black's signature on that as well, last lightning show and one of the last service lightning pilots.
Similar sort of thing . I was standing outside of Raaf Laverton at the end of the display in 1975 . The RAAF Mirages couldn’t land there flew in from Avalon . Eight of them came in across a main 6 lane road to to the main runway at about 20 ft. I got some warning they were coming as a couple of people pointed to them . I clearly so one a few metres from me at less than 30 feet really honking. The noise was unbelievable a deep roar from the compressor stage . Then they were gone went half way along the runway & then vertical. People were on the ground all over the place . Not allowed to do that anymore. I can still see that plane & hear that engine.Now they stay well away from any crowd & definitely would never cross a road at that height. These guys are doing similar things.Thats a really tight formation for any plane!
Thunder of the Gods!!! Must have been unbelieveably loud, with all those in the air at the same time! Great video. Really good stuff. You were lucky to get a hold of this.
My late Mum and I were there...was it so long ago. Very poignant . Great show even with the rain.
I was at this show, seeing them take off one after another against a dramatic rain filled sky, which the vid can't do justice to, was amazing. The roar of those engines rumbelled right through my 11 year old rib cage. Great planes. Cheers for the vid.
beautiful! One of the most Saucy looking aircraft EVER! I remember being on holiday on the East coast when I was a kid and a pair of these did a low, fast pass just offshore! Fell in love there and then! Thanks for posting!
I was also there that Day .. ( although I was 10yrs old ) , spent most of the Day sat in my Dads Car shivering as I was soaked! But I remember loving the Display and thinking it was a hell of a waste replacing these with Tornado MRCA (as they were back then) ADV & IDS...
9 Lightnings, surely the most impressive aircraft used by an aerobatic team ever.
Yes, it was the last Diamond Nine formation made by Lightnings - "Eat your hearts out Red Arrows".
i was at this airshow raf binbrook the base closed 1 year after and they chopped it up its a crime
@Pat Scan hahahaha not even close
@@peteneal5914 Snap, weather was bloody horrible.
I thought it WAS the Sparrows - and then you realise - F**K - those are LIGHTNINGS!!!!
I was here at this display way back in 87.. thanks for posting and refreshing some memory's ... think my clothes have just about dried out. IIRC even the Red Arrows missed the field more than once.
Thank you for posting
i was there and my Barbour coat shrank that how wet it was but the lightnings were fantastic and the roar of the eleven as they blasted off i 've never heard again.....so pleased to see something from that day cheers!
Great filming. A classic British aircraft being put through the paces by IMO excellent airman. Loved that formation flying. Miss the Lightning!
What an awesome show this was held in a Lincolnshire Monsoon. We were soaked through but it didn’t matter, wouldn’t have missed it for the World. Have a photograph of my 8 year old son in a Lightning Cockpit, will never forget it.
I was also there. A rather soggy day, but the thunder of the Lightnings more than made up for it! Not something I'll ever forget - thank you SO much for sharing this!
i was there that day, rained nearly all day!! i lived and still live nearby and the look and sound of lightnings is the sound of my childhood!!! great to see!!
Saw my first Lightning at Farnborough in in 66, I was 10 years old and no question, the plane that impressed me most was the lightning when it rolled down the runway, took off then stood on it's tail and shot straight up vertical both engines burning, a real "Boy's Own " moment.....
After a 3-year apprenticeship at RAF Halton and a year with 23 Squadron (Javelins) I then spent some time with 74 Squadron in Coltishall during 62-63....was great. Very busy but enjoyable in hindsight
Always enjoyed seeing them taking-off together as a squadron
I was there... And the Wx was abysmal but still what a show. Thank you so much for posting this video!!!
I was there too, served on LTF & 5 Sqn. The final APC in Cyprus was great fun. I'll never forget the legendary food fights in the local restaurants. Thanks for posting.
I saw the last Lightning appearance at Leuchars Air Show. It was magnificent. It did a low high speed pass as its final run. It wasn't supersonic but it was blooming close. Everyone felt the pressure wave on their chests.
Ah I was there too, never knew it was going to be their last year flying, I really missed them the next year. There was a pilot offering to take things up in the aircraft for the last flight. The following year they had a Lightning cockpit section that you could go in.
I was there that day too..the weather was hideous..had to park miles away and walk...was soaked to the skin but it was worth it to see the mighty Lightnings go through their paces for the last time, making light of the atrocious conditions, and using it to their advantage with moisture filled air giving the dramatic shock waves from the low and fast passes....will never forget it....
I was there that day as a techy on 5 Squadron hitting the starter systems with the handle of a GS screwdriver trying to get them started in the rain! Beautiful in the air but a sod to service (learned a lot though)!
Awesome Iconic Aircraft !! i still can remember the Lightning flying alongside with a F104 Starfighter over Germany back in the Cold war days ! unforgettable !! !
This makes me tingle! While shooting my doccie, Thunder and Lightnings, I was set to fly in XS451, ZU BEX with Dave Stock, when a piece of the runway tore up at Cape Town International and I was left sitting in full kit, on the tarmac, wanting to cry. I'd flown in the Buccaneer the day before, but never got another chance to fly in a Lightning. That was the year before Dave Stock crashed BEX in Bredasdorp. I wasn't there to see the accident. That bit was lucky for me.
I was on 11Sqn and remember this like it was yesterday. The turnout was amazing and took everyone by surprise. We had people climbing over the fences trying to get in. Great jet and I thoroughly enjoyed my time working on them.
We came up from Surrey......11f ATC Squadron allmthe way from Weybridge! Roads were gridlocked....but my God it was worth it.
I was there that day, cycled in from Grimsby. Was soaked by the time I got there, but that never bothered me as I was there to say goodbye to my favourite aircraft, what a show. 👍
Blimey that brings back memories, I remember standing in the miserable weather that day with my Dad. What an awesome sight and the sound of them all was amazing. Went back to Binbrook many years later on a job and it was like a ghost station, very eerie.
Thanks for this. Great memories of Wattisham - the English Electric Lightning was a truly innovative (and unique) design.
I was on 111 squadron ,1975 just loved the Aden gun ...red top and firestreak !!!
@@1tonyboat I thought Treble One left Wattisham in 1974 and got Phantoms at Coningsby.
@@garethessex i was on 54 squadron Phantoms at Conningsby they asked for some of us to go to Wattisham ,i was on 111 squadron to help disband them then got ready for the phantoms to arrive .
@@1tonyboat What did you think of the F-4 Anthony?
@@garethessex Hi Gareth. I enjoyed working on the Phantom,so many different combinations of weapons (armourer by trade) sparrows,sidewinders,1000lb bombs ,sneb 68mm rockets ,su 23a Gatling gun ,camera pod !!!!O T Rs were fun as well .changing the center line fuel tank and the wing tanks !! removing the rear seat for the nav ins boys ..and the detachments to Sardinia. A totally different aircraft to the Lightening but i still enjoyed it especially when it came to lowering the gun /missile pack out. Just to watch one take off, straight up ,something you never forget....
I was there too. Went with my father, he having served there with 9 Sqn on Avro Lincolns in the early 1950. We both were soaked but it was an utterly sensational display, the memories of which have stayed with me to this day.
I was stood not far from where this film was shot. Thanks for the memory.
beautiful video Jetnoiseforever thankyou for uploading it
I was there and despite the weather it was a great show and a fitting tribute to a great aircraft.
I was there on that day, typical British weather. I stood in the boot of my Ford Cortina to get a better view. It was a great day and made me proud :-)
Thats just one awesome, beautiful piece of aviation history. Something to be proud of
Wow! It supercruised at the end!!
it was such an awful day, never stopped raining, very low, thick cloud and with Binbrook being the highest airfield in the country, it seriously restricted the Lightnings' usual display, though it did add to one or two great effects. I went on my BSA Lightning......and got very wet but it nonetheless a day i wouldn't have missed for the world. I now live close by and it's a very sad, run down place, very depressing, very sad, so many memories....
I was there that day. What a fantastic display despite the p**sing rain. If I remember rightly, there were 11 ships took off.
Hopefully the RAF made sure this show was professionally filmed, although this is nice to see.
Considering nominal capabilities, age, and role, it's more like a USAF century-series fighter like F-104 or the F-102/F-106. While perhaps not the hotrod the lighting was, the F-4 was a more flexible multi-role platform with better range and payload, this is why RAF and RN flew a lot of Phantoms as well. Most of the century-series fighters had relatively short careers (especially in USAF) but the F-104 had some export success and F-106 continued in air national guard throughout the 1980's.
Great video im lucky to have a father who flew these when based at raf binbrook
We were lucky enough to have a 4 ship make the short trip from Binbrook for my passing out parade Dec '86.
I was there. Drove from Hemel Hempstead in a Mini. It was worth it, despite the rain
Blessings on you and the Unknown Videographer! Wonderful history! Thank you both!
i did several tours at binbrook and can honestly say it was an excellent posting.........thanks for the video upload....h6ukvet
was at Binbrock that day don't think I have been as wet in my life miss the lightnings miss dad to he would have loved to see this video
+Glenn Ashton - Been there and felt that. My dad was based at RAF Gutersloh. The sonic booms used to shake our windows in Blankenhagen. As a kid... I took it as the norm. Would irritate the hell out of me now though... getting old and grumpy I suppose :-). My dad is a legend. I know what you feel.
Thanks for sharing great footage but only serves to remind me what I missed! I was due to fly in that day in a mates dad's light aircraft but unfortunately the airfield in Essex was water logged and we couldn't take off and we missed our 11am fly in slot... gutted does not even come close to how i felt !
Plain brilliant - and brilliant plane! :-)
Love this vid! Always have a soft spot for the old EE Lightning, Real tight diamond 9, great sound barrier shots at end. Many thanks for digging this out of your cupboard.
great memories of a fantastic airplane . yes it had its limitations it was never fully developed . in only scraped into service by the skin of its teeth . but it was glorious . I never tired of seeing it . the first occasion Farnborough Airshow 1964 I think it was 74 squadron (may be wrong ) flying lightning's and what a show . thanks for posting . last time I saw a display containing lightning's was 1983 RAF valley . think that plane crashed at south sea its next display
Its vortex vapour which is caused by change in the air pressure around the plane. In this instance its the shock wave that builds up as the aircraft approaches the speed of sound. That is awesome footage.
I always feel so sad when I look back at these amazing airshows. Maybe it's because they remind me of my Dad but then again maybe its because they remind me of just how far our nation has fallen.
As an example, a guy I know runs a furniture import business out of one those hangers that used to house these amazing machines. The ex-Binbrook site is now a very depressing place to visit.
Went to this show so thanks for posting this a reviving the memories.
went to the show ,can't believe it was that long ago,used to drive from pontefract,west yorks,just to watch the practice,great days.
WOW!!! AWESOME FOOTAGE! The diamond of the 9 Lightnings looks like the "Black Arrows" in the 50's. Amazing Highspeed Pass at the end!!! :-)
Fantastic video, Thanks 💪👍👍✈️✈️
I was on the base that day - at a mere age of 15. I got to mess about in the Lightning Simulator as well, good times. The display was awsome although if i remember rightly the cloud level was really low. I also used to visit crash gate three alot. Infact i was only on the old base last sunday looking around and found the guys that have XR724 wheeling her out giving her a good clean, at least theres still one lightning at Binbrook.... cheers
That transonic pass! Very nice!
That rain was worth it for the extra vapour in the damp air. Best Lightning footage I've seen, thank you.
Beautifully controlled transonic pass.
I was on LTF ground crew and supported the lightning air show season back in the days when I was a lad !