Lightning XM173

[shrek5959]

Hi all after a boring day at Warton ( nothing flying ) 3 of us took a ride to see this beauty a few mile away at Newton with Scales
Thanks for looking , as always C+C welcome

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IMG_8490 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8495 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8501 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8504 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8508 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8516 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8517 by shrek5959, on Flickr
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IMG_8524 by shrek5959, on Flickr

Thanks for looking
Shrekster

[STCAAMEkid]

Shrek - lovely pictures you've posted here ; I don't think I've seen such a pristine static F1 kept outside; I hope its well waxoyled. What a credit to the owner - the paint job looks spot on too .
Thanks for sharing the fruits of your diversion from Warton.
Phil

[newt400]

Good to see the old girl in such good condition. First flew her in December 1970 on the Lightning OCU at Colt. Have her in my logbook as a MK1A

[Stu]

Looks great

[HS-TRA]

You caught this just in time Shrek, I passed it on the way to Blackpool on Sunday and
it was on the back of a low-loader. I knew it was for sale having read it in a magazine
earlier this year.
It's not been too good at Warton of late has it.

[chrisward123]

Do you know were the Wessex has gone.

Christiasn

[ScorpioUnbound]

Still a purposeful looking bird despite being a couple of generations out-of-date.
Great shots.
John

[mozzer]

Hi all,

XM173 is currently sat in a disused yard on the A46, just off J18 M4. Will post a pic when I get back home.

Gary

[Stan]

That's a well looked after bird. Hope it's new home is as kind.

[mozzer]

Hi all,

Here is a pic from this morning in the disused yard on the A46, just off J18 of the M4 (search for Frenchpiece Wood in google maps).


IMG_0900 by Gary J Morris, on Flickr

Regards.

[Maisie]

I assume that the tail won't be going back on

[richyrara]

Still there today - can't miss it from the road. You have to look from the locked gates though.

[Geoffdedwyddwch]

15th October and its still there - still with the wings and fin missing but in excellent condition and also on its own legs.

The lorry park where it is closed some weeks ago so what is going to happen to XM173 I have no idea UNLESS the owner of a certain MOT centre in Melksham, where a red Hawker Hunter is at present displayed, has bought it to display once the Hunter has gone (believe Hunter is F6 - previous Hunter displayed was a T7). Don't know that he has but if I go that way I may call in and ask.

I worked on XM173 in 1964/5 whilst an SAC in the photographic section at RAF Wattisham - nice to see it again but a shame to see it cut about and just sitting there.

Geoff.

[Steve23]

XM173 was moved by lorry away from Old Sodbury on Friday 8th February. Have no idea where it's gone but would very much like to find out.

[richyrara]

XM173 was moved by lorry away from Old Sodbury on Friday 8th February. Have no idea where it's gone but would very much like to find out.

Can't remember where I read it, but I thought I saw something about it going to the Dyson factory in Malmesbury?

[markhodson]

XM173 was moved by lorry away from Old Sodbury on Friday 8th February. Have no idea where it's gone but would very much like to find out.

I read on Severnside Aviation it was being unloaded at Kemble on the 8th

[Geoffdedwyddwch]

Lighting XM173 has been purchased by Dyson (vacuums) and has now been taken from the parking area on the A46 to their headquarters at Malmesbury in Wiltshire.
It will be put back together and placed in a "Flying Position" on a plinth within the headquarters complex.
I have spoken to a customer service rep from Dysons who has told me all this.
It will take some time to built and fit her to the plinth as she had to withstand 30mph winds.
I gather the spit in the fin will be repaired and the wings replaced.
I have asked permission to go there when everything is complete to take photos of her next door to a Harrier that is already there.
Dyson will contact me on completion.

Geoff Parselle - worked on XM173 at RAF Wattisham in 1964/65 - RAF photographer

[Steve23]

I'd heard Dyson had requested planning permission for a Lightning. Great to hear she's going to a good home. I look forward to seeing the photos.

Thanks for posting replies.