The latest escapee from the Partizan 'plane purchase pile is this shabby Lightning. Probably the Airfix kit, it is dustily resplendent in the markings of No.5 Squadron.
I always thought that it was brutally beautiful, and wondered what flying what appears to be two powerful jet engines with some wings attached must have been like. I understand that with the afterburner on, the fuel was used up at an alarming rate. One byproduct of this was pilots being obsessed with watching their fuel gauges!
Bob Cordery I remember (from air shows) not so much the noise but the feel as Lightnings took off. As you say, a pilot sat atop a stack of two jet engines and not enough fuel.
Can never go wrong with a Lightning.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
pete.
I saw one as a static display outside of an airbase in Kuwait, a pretty big bird!
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteI always thought that it was brutally beautiful, and wondered what flying what appears to be two powerful jet engines with some wings attached must have been like. I understand that with the afterburner on, the fuel was used up at an alarming rate. One byproduct of this was pilots being obsessed with watching their fuel gauges!
All the best,
Bob
Pete
ReplyDeleteQuite right!
Don M
ReplyDeleteAside from the RAF, the Kuwaitis and Saudis were the only Lightning operators. They were probably the only ones who could afford the fuel!
Bob Cordery
ReplyDeleteI remember (from air shows) not so much the noise but the feel as Lightnings took off. As you say, a pilot sat atop a stack of two jet engines and not enough fuel.