Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

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GeeRam
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Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by GeeRam »

Anyone on here attend the Last, Last Lightning Show at Binbrook in Aug 1987 and know the serial number of the F.6 that was in one of the hangars that was set up for having you photo taken in the cockpit?
I took my young cousin that day, and we queued up in the rain so he could have his photo taken in the cockpit and now in his 40’s he’s recently bought some Lightning books, and has asked me if I know which Lightning it was, and err.....I have no idea, as not being a ‘spotter’ I never bothered to write the number down.... :shushing_face: :slight_frown:
Anyone know?

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Wrexham Mackem
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by Wrexham Mackem »

I’ve got the checklist that was sold on the day. Not sure whether it details which airframe is where, I’ll check in a couple of hours when I can dig it out.

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Wrexham Mackem
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by Wrexham Mackem »

Here you go, quick camera phone shots of an ancient manuscript.

Not a great deal of use unless you can find some identifying mark in the photograph.

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Big Eric
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by Big Eric »

Scramble's report doesn't say which aircraft was used as a photo-mount either :- https://www.scramble.nl/database/show-r ... brook-1987

GeeRam
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by GeeRam »

Well, that at least narrows it down to 7 possibles, from that hangar list, as I'm pretty sure it was an F.6 and it was all dark sea grey colour......if only I knew which hangar it was, although there are 3 x dark grey F.6's in Hangar 2 and 2 of them in Hangar 4, from what I can see with a quick scan through late 86-88 photos....so that's not going to help much.
I do have a vague feeling it wasn't one of the Sqn hangars though, so I'm inclined to think it was either LESF in Hangar 1 or Hangar 3 where the Chippies were....?
But it was 33 years ago, and the memory plays tricks on your mind :thinking:

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capercaillie
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by capercaillie »

Big Eric wrote:
Tue 27 Oct 2020, 6:06 pm
Scramble's report doesn't say which aircraft was used as a photo-mount either :- https://www.scramble.nl/database/show-r ... brook-1987
And they also list AQ and AR the 87 display pair as F6s! :poop: :rolling_eyes: :thinking:
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Big Eric
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by Big Eric »

capercaillie wrote:
Wed 28 Oct 2020, 11:09 am
Big Eric wrote:
Tue 27 Oct 2020, 6:06 pm
Scramble's report doesn't say which aircraft was used as a photo-mount either :- https://www.scramble.nl/database/show-r ... brook-1987
And they also list AQ and AR the 87 display pair as F6s! :poop: :rolling_eyes: :thinking:
Oh dear, that's not quite right!!! :rofl:

GeeRam
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by GeeRam »

My gut feeling, after a bit of digging is that it was XR759 BJ in Hangar No.3

I have a vague recollection of the Chippie's in the back of the hangar, and '759 is the only one of those listed that was dark sea grey.
I also have a vague recollection Hangar 3 was the middle of the 3 front hangar's at Binbrook which again, fits in with a very vague recollection of location on the day, the aircraft was tucked rear in by the north end hangar door and I'm sure there was the other hangars to the rear of when I was standing in the queue with my young cousin.

I have found a photo on the web of XS925 (now at RAFM Hendon) taken on the day in the LESF Hangar No.1 and clearly from the photo it wasn't that one, so hence me coming to the conclusion it was most likely '759.
Interestingly, '759 has survived as a cockpit section.

RAF4EVER
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by RAF4EVER »

capercaillie wrote:
Wed 28 Oct 2020, 11:09 am
Big Eric wrote:
Tue 27 Oct 2020, 6:06 pm
Scramble's report doesn't say which aircraft was used as a photo-mount either :- https://www.scramble.nl/database/show-r ... brook-1987
And they also list AQ and AR the 87 display pair as F6s! :poop: :rolling_eyes: :thinking:
The Scramble report is only as good as the reports sent in.

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BDL
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by BDL »

I just remember getting wet, very wet!

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effects
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by effects »

Wet, but what a photo op, with that high speed pass also not often you see a shack with vapour!
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CJS
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by CJS »

I just want to know who 'The Swamp Donkey Crew' were? :lol:
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DerekF
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Re: Last Last Lightning Show Binbrook 1987 info needed

Post by DerekF »

A memorable airshow for so many reasons. Not least the 11-ship Lightning launch and the weather. Nowadays I suspect the whole lot would have been cancelled.

Oh and that high-speed pass.
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