Ascoteer Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 18 hours ago, bentwaters81tfw said: Recently read Lightning Boys. If the had an engine fire in No2, they would dump the tank They must have had explosive bolts in the early days then. The tank on our T5 was held on by a pair of hooks and a pair of threaded fasteners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 23 minutes ago, Ascoteer said: They must have had explosive bolts in the early days then. The tank on our T5 was held on by a pair of hooks and a pair of threaded fasteners. Perhaps they made the student pilot go back and unhook them in the event of a fire whilst airborne. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberra kid Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 You could always build this John 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 LOL - John, I was asking about Lightnings without belly tanks. Not belly tanks without Lightnings! David 10 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiral Puff Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 38 minutes ago, David Womby said: LOL - John, I was asking about Lightnings without belly tanks. Not belly tanks without Lightnings! David But at least it gives you something to do with one of the original Airfix Lightnings ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 That is epic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 (edited) No explosive bolts just a cable to dump the tank on the F3 T5 the F6 tank was in three non jettisonable sections. Edited December 19, 2016 by tweeky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs2man Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 On 17/12/2016 at 10:01 PM, David Womby said: Brilliant, John! Thanks so much. I hadn't seen the ones of XP701 before but the middle one is the one I remember from somewhere. Looks like she's with the LTF. She's an F1A and I presume she's XM183 given the code on her fin? BTW - Bradford - that brings back happy memories. I went to Bradford Grammar School for a couple of years many, many decades ago. David Hi David When were you at Bradford Grammar ? I was there from 72-79 . Wonder if our paths ever crossed John Green Nantwich , Cheshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 On 17/12/2016 at 10:38 PM, Dave Fleming said: The small tank ones could do this, IIRC it wasn't uncommon after maintenance for a short test flight. in five years service on the Lightning I've seen is happen on two or three occasions both on operational sqn's too. we onc3e sent our Tbird up with out a ventral. So not that common. In fact after major maintenance the Mk3 and T5 air test schedule was split in to two test flights part A was handling and systems checks inc inverted flight and part B was high speed run the reason for the split airtest was fuel. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 10 hours ago, rs2man said: Hi David When were you at Bradford Grammar ? I was there from 72-79 . Wonder if our paths ever crossed John Green Nantwich , Cheshire I pre-date you John and was only there a couple of years - 1966-1968. There may have been some teachers that we both knew, I'll PM you. David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) On 18/12/2016 at 8:10 AM, Scarlet said: When I was at Binbrook (83-87) F3's/T5's without belly tanks were used for low level air to air combat training. They used Covenham Resevoir near Louth as their war zone and would be airborne for about 10 minutes! when I was at Binbrook (80-85) F3 were used for 1v1 air combat they started up, taxied, took off carried out the sortie, landed taxied back in. they pilot the did a "crewed in" OTR then when serviced out again to do the same all over again. You'd hardly get chance to get a brew. Wheels roll to wheels stop was 15 mins 10 min OTR then back up for 15 mins. So glad we only had 3 F3s. It was impressive watching them rolling round the sky trying to get an advantage. Edited December 20, 2016 by tweeky 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagRigger Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 What was the saying ? 'The Lightnings are based at Binbrook, to defend Binbrook, which is where the Lightnings are based' 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 I shan't keep posting it here but just wanted to let you all know I've started on this using an old 1/72 Airfix F1A. Belly tank cut out and plastic tube used to fill the gap. The upper piece of tube is just for support but, ironically, it looks a bit like two Avon compartments! It looks pretty good in this pic but once the fuselage halves are joined there will need to be a lot of PSR on this. David 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share Posted January 24, 2017 Just found a pic of another without a tank. This time an F2. It's from a fantastic site of pics taken by spotters at Gutersloh over the years. Here: http://sg-etuo.de/ David 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 On 17/12/2016 at 11:45 PM, Wez said: "Mate of mine was an ex-Lightning liney, he said the F.3's had enough fuel to scramble and then get back into the circuit, when used for Battle Flight they had to be met by a Victor orbiting off of Grimsby to fuel up or return to base" F3's were never on QRA ( only called battle flight in Germany) only F6's did QRA. Yes they met up with a tanker but that tanker was in the middle of the north sea not off Grimsby. I've seen on a few Q scrambles off and they were a good 5 hours minimum. I think you've taken your mate out of context. F3 used to practice 1v 1 air to air combat over Binbrook and yes they weren't up long but you haver great fun sat watching them doing their stuff with a brew in your hand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, tweeky said: F3's were never on QRA ( only called battle flight in Germany) only F6's did QRA. Yes they met up with a tanker but that tanker was in the middle of the north sea not off Grimsby. I've seen on a few Q scrambles off and they were a good 5 hours minimum. I think you've taken your mate out of context. F3 used to practice 1v 1 air to air combat over Binbrook and yes they weren't up long but you haver great fun sat watching them doing their stuff with a brew in your hand. Only repeating what he said but then, he could've been exaggerating for effect - that sort of thing never happens in a crewroom does it? Edited January 24, 2017 by Wez 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Superb shot of the F.2. Out of curiosity, why did the F.1s fly mock combat without the belly tanks? Must have severely effected sortie time, was the performance gain worth it? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Having read this thread through (again), I know the ultimate fate of at least one of my Airfix 48ths. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 (edited) Wow- Lightnings without belly tanks! Let's see- Reheat on, release brakes, take off, reheat off, circle the field, look at the fuel state remaining, land immediately...does that about describe it? Seriously, what a magnificent beast! I regret I never heard or saw one fly, but maybe the T5 that is being restored here in the Colonies will be at an airshow in the not so distant future. Mike I found the link to the website of the T5 being restored to flight in Mississippi; sure do hope they can get her finished and back into the air soon. My friend, the late Group Captain Hans Neubroch, has this very same T5 in his logbook. BTW, if you do a search for his name, you will find details of a very interesting and varied RAF flying career. I wish I had saved all of his anecdotes- from pathfinder Mossies to Lightnings. He was kind enough to send me the pages from his logbook that showed all of his Lightning flights- plan to build an F6 and T5 that he flew, as a tribute to an amazing airman and true gentleman and class act. (Sorry for the sentimentality and possibly off-topic post!) http://www.lightning422supporters.co.uk/ Edited January 25, 2017 by 72modeler added link and details 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 18 hours ago, David Womby said: Just found a pic of another without a tank. This time an F2. My Lord, that's beautiful. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goon Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 On 1/25/2017 at 6:54 AM, Rob G said: My Lord, that's beautiful. Isn't it just?! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 On 1/25/2017 at 03:32, 72modeler said: Seriously, what a magnificent beast! I regret I never heard or saw one fly, but maybe the T5 that is being restored here in the Colonies will be at an airshow in the not so distant future. Mike Mike one of the few advantages of old age is recalling seeing airshows with four Lightnings trolling around the sky in formation etc. See my avatar pic taken by me a long time ago at Leuchars or Prestick - I cant recall which now John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 7 minutes ago, JohnT said: Mike one of the few advantages of old age is recalling seeing airshows with four Lightnings trolling around the sky in formation etc. See my avatar pic taken by me a long time ago at Leuchars or Prestick - I cant recall which now John Tell me about it, John! I still recall watching a Vulcan BMk 2 beating up Bergstrom AB, TX at an airshow back in the late 70's or early 80's...incredible that something that big could be thrown around like a fighter! Next to an SR-71, the noisiest and most amazing weenie cooker ever! Mike 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Only the F6 (would imagine the F2a too) needed reheat for take off at Binbrook. The 3s and 5's could do it dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted January 28, 2017 Share Posted January 28, 2017 I'm sure I remember it being said by a Lightning pilot: "With the larger belly tank of the F6 /F2A, we could carry out intercepts beyond the airfield boundary. With AAR, we could so so outside Lincolnshire". 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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