Lightnings JS, AZ, AD final 5 Sqn MPC, Valley '87

[STCAAMEkid]

Hi to everyone,
These recent scans show 5 Sqn on their final missile practice camp at Valley in 1987. Firestreaks were used throughout the detachment. The September weather was changeable all week, with lots of flying, and out of my three visits, one mission abort witnessed when XS922 turned back to the flightline after running up on the threshold but not releasing her brakes.
I hope you enjoy them - all comments and criticism welcome, Phil.

XR728 taxis to RWY 14


XS416 comes into RWY 14 over Valley's famous "rock" by the crash gate


XS928 taxis out for another range slot




XR728 taxis in from RWY 32

[Fmk.6john]

I have a Firestreak nosecone with a note attatched reading, 'With Thanks, 5 SQD MPC, 7-18 Sept 87' I am told it was presented to the mess at Valley.

Cracking shots again of those great days gone by.


John.

[Koen L]

Brilliant! What's on XS928's tail above the 5 squadron markings?

[st24]

Brilliant! What's on XS928's tail above the 5 squadron markings?

I think it's the Lightning ASF (a/c Servicing Flight) zap???

Great images there of fabulous times. Loving the tub on short finals....

[STCAAMEkid]

Brilliant! What's on XS928's tail above the 5 squadron markings?

I think it's the Lightning ASF (a/c Servicing Flight) zap???

Great images there of fabulous times. Loving the tub on short finals....

Koen
St24 is spot on; the zap is a stencilled stylised ASF. XR728 @ Bruntingthorpe has got one on the port side, front fuselage in yellow. There were a load of other unofficial zaps on these birds, some of which were only visible/ legible when you got close to them - I'll post some of these when I get more images scanned.

What's great about the feedback on these shots is that the guy who stencilled AD has contacted me ex ASF Binbrook, and was working at SARTU at Valley when this detachment was on. Thanks for the feedback on the Firestreak nosecone FMk6 - it's these human touches that bring stuff like this back to life.

Cheers for the feedback - Phil

[STCAAMEkid]

Brilliant! What's on XS928's tail above the 5 squadron markings?

I think it's the Lightning ASF (a/c Servicing Flight) zap???

Great images there of fabulous times. Loving the tub on short finals....

Koen
St24 is spot on; the zap is a stencilled stylised ASF. XR728 @ Bruntingthorpe has got one on the port side, front fuselage in yellow. There were a load of other unofficial zaps on these birds, some of which were only visible/ legible when you got close to them - I'll post some of these when I get more images scanned.

What's great about the feedback on these shots is that the guy who stencilled AD has contacted me ex ASF Binbrook, and was working at SARTU at Valley when this detachment was on. Thanks for the feedback on the Firestreak nosecone FMk6 - it's these human touches that bring stuff like this back to life.

Cheers for the feedback - Phil

Painted zaps.....more another time.
XS899 BJ, with Coningsby VAS "Be Flexible" (!) & Phantom A/C Servicing Flight at bottom of fuselage.


XS933 AJ with Esk 726 zap after RDanAF Starfighter squadron exchange when it was BE with 11 Sqn

[Koen L]

Thanks for the info regarding the zaps! If you have any more I'd love to see them of course.

[bobtomlin]

Great post again Phil,
That looks like Ian Hollingworth 'driving' XS933 in your last shot.
Love to see these, so please post more if you have them.
Cheers, Bob.

[STCAAMEkid]

Great post again Phil,
That looks like Ian Hollingworth 'driving' XS933 in your last shot.
Love to see these, so please post more if you have them.
Cheers, Bob.

Hi Bob,

Ian Hollingworth flew with 11 Sqn b4 going onto LTF latterly. I think it's Ian McDonald-Webb, but not 100% certain - the face is clearer in the original tif & jpeg files. This matches the a/c, as XS933 was with 5 Sqn as AJ in May 1986.

Maybe another Frightning man can confirm.
Thanks for looking,
Phil