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**Stuart** · 29-11-2005, 11:42 PM

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the site...I very nearly bought an Eolo a few month's back if its anything like the big Robbe's she'll be as very stable for a micro.

Had a peek at the XH558 site. I was wondering which plane it referred to in your avatar. Look's very impressive and I do hope she fly's soon. There is a Vulcan at Sunderland Air Museum out in the open air, I cannot comment if any work is being done too it, but in the last two visits I've had I can't honestly say much has happened too it, which is a pity.

My parent's live just outside Newark and just off the A1 is a English Electric / BAC Lightning jet, over the years it too has got worse in its condition, which is a real waste. I suspect the owners selling off parts bit by bit.

Are you assisting in any of the re-build ?

**Sao** · 30-11-2005, 08:59 AM

My parent's live just outside Newark and just off the A1 is a English Electric / BAC Lightning jet, over the years it too has got worse in its condition, which is a real waste. I suspect the owners selling off parts bit by bit.

Is that the one thats sat in a field gradualy rotting away?
It is such a shame we dont have any Lightnings going still they were truly fantastic aircraft. They have some in SA where you can actually go and pay to have a flight in a two seater

**Stuart** · 30-11-2005, 10:05 AM

Sao,

Yes, when I first saw it... it was aleast a near 90% externally in reasonable condition. Over the years its lucky to be 50% now...

I did see a programme on discovery channel with the flights of vintage jets in SA. Very impressive, from Mig's to the Lightning.

**XH558** · 30-11-2005, 04:35 PM

There's a lightning near me at Castle Motors near Liskeard - Castle Motors has a helicopter leasing arm called Castle Air which provides helicopters to the TV companies for filming.

Here'a a list of all the survivors - Castle Motors is XS936

SURVIVING LIGHTNINGS

PS - no - unfortunately I'm not involved in XH558's rebuild except that I have made a donation and become a 'friend' - and I plug her existance incessantly to whoever will listen :lol: :lol:

AND there is a raffle at the moment for the 'Vulcan to the sky trust' and the first prize just happens to be a flight for one in a Lightning at Thunder City in Capetown 8O 8O Tickets 1 each.
The prize to include 2 return flights to Capetown from the UK and 2 nights accomodation.
Raffle details HERE
How cool is that after the discussion above 8) 8)

**Stuart** · 30-11-2005, 05:32 PM

Found the one I was talking about on that site..

F.2A XN728 at Balderton, 18th September 2004; Michael Sibley F.2A XN730 at Gatow, 1999; Christoph Westhaus
On the subject of crying shames, the Lightning above is a sorry sight. XN728, one of the few remaining F.2As, and just look at it - abandoned and vandalised. Placed in A1 Commercial Sales Yard to attract customers back in 1983, since the yard's collapse the Lightning has been left to rot. Presumably the receiver thinks it is an asset which is why it hasn't simply been bulldozed away. XN728 was used for BDR for a while and carries a few patches to prove it, and for transport to the yard the wings and tail were simply cut off. Reassembly was carried out using large sheets of metal to hold everything together once more, and they have rusted badly and warped under the stress. The landing gear was considered too weak to support the airframe (which is complete with engines) and accordingly the belly was supported with a framework of girders. Unfortunately at some point someone nicked the radome, and the change in the center of gravity tipped XN728 on her tail; the belly tank wasn't up to this and the girders have cut right through and are now firmly embedded in the belly. The rear fuselage is badly holed and as you can see the entire aircraft is liberally spattered with graffiti. It's a sad end for a proud fighter. Nature is taking its course too, and given a few more years the aircraft will no doubt be hidden by the bushes growing around it! Information current as of 18/09/2004.

**XH558** · 30-11-2005, 05:36 PM

Check out the edit to my last post Stuart :lol: :lol:

**Stuart** · 30-11-2005, 11:31 PM

For a 1 I'll have a go...

**Sao** · 01-12-2005, 12:48 PM

Yup thats deffinatley the one. If i was the owner of that it would not be left in a field to rot away! what a waste of a terrific aircraft

Hmmm only a 1 you say, Hell I'm in for that

Glad you made it over here dave, seems a few Brits have signed up in the last few days

Let the Exodus begin

**Janek** · 01-12-2005, 03:21 PM

I happened to catch a program on Sky the other evening, apparently the only Lightnings still flying are in South Africa (3, I believe), all owned by the same guy, and if you have enough money to spend you can fly in one. . . . . supersonic 8O

Only short flights though, as the fuel consumption is really crap

**Sao** · 01-12-2005, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by Janek

I happened to catch a program on Sky the other evening, apparently the only Lightnings still flying are in South Africa (3, I believe), all owned by the same guy, and if you have enough money to spend you can fly in one. . . . . supersonic 8O

Only short flights though, as the fuel consumption is really crap

Been on a few times the SA guy's they have a few cold war UK jets that you can take flights in. I'd love to be in the Lightning when they do that awesome vertical climb out afterburners on.... The reason we dont have any flying in the uk is the MOD and the governing body for flying stuff decided that Ex miltary jets were too complicated for the public sector to keep flying, but they have no such rules on SA and they dont seem to have much problem keeping them running in good order, infact probably better than when they were with the airforces!

**XH558** · 01-12-2005, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Janek

I happened to catch a program on Sky the other evening, apparently the only Lightnings still flying are in South Africa (3, I believe), all owned by the same guy, and if you have enough money to spend you can fly in one. . . . . supersonic 8O

Only short flights though, as the fuel consumption is really crap

Janek I refer you to my earlier post :lol: :lol:

Here's the link again........... Thunder City

**Janek** · 01-12-2005, 08:18 PM

Ah, I have to READ all the posts in a thread. . . . . never did quite get the hang of that one 8O Sorry :lol:

**XH558** · 01-12-2005, 09:19 PM

Don't worry Janek - easy mistake - and it's not as bad as me having to explain a VERY simple joke to our American cousins on the SPOT - have you seen that :P :roll:

**Disc** · 02-12-2005, 12:42 AM

Hi
I live in Lincoln where the old Vulcans used to fly from RAF Waddington
and the air is a bit quieter without them but they were always a
site when they used to fly.

Now we just get the great big A-wax and Nimrods and some other
things like the Red Arrows tearing up the sky. Who needs to goto
an air show to see the Red Arrows just drive through Lincoln out
towards Hemswell cliff and youll see them tear up the sky.

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