Lightning XR724 Workday

[Peter]

Andy will probably be best to advise, but wasn't there an upcoming work day on the resident Lightning at Binbrook to get her running again?

[mjr]

Hi peter,

I think you will find it is simply a "recce" exercise to see what is viable, and establish the scale of the job required. I can assure you, it will take a lot more than a fewweekends to make 724 runnable again.

[320psi]

Originally Posted by Peter

Andy will probably be best to advise, but wasn't there an upcoming work day on the resident Lightning at Binbrook to get her running again?

Peter, yeh your right I did mention we were planning a visit and MJR has it spot on we only planned to do a recce
There are no plans to get her running, just a 'look see' and a coat of wax oil
She has stood for so long now, there would be alot of work to do to 'just' fire her up, which equals lots of hours on the road to and from Binbrook.

We do plan to visit her some time soon, when I dont know, but as you can imagine we are stretched to the limit, with the twlight do coming up there's lots to do behind the scenes for only a very small band of us, there's also the never ending painting of the shed prior to the front doors rehanging, the servicing of ground kit and the constant work to keep our two alive, they are our first priority, 728's ailments have taken up all the spring and summer and she aint fixed yet, she has some way to go.

We will get over to her but she's gonna have to wait abit and 'Binners' aint people freindly in the winter

Dont worry

[Peter]

Thanks for the info lads! Look forward to hearing about the Recce to the old girl!

[Nashio966]

peter, i think you will find that the old girl (as she is affectionatly called by those who used to operate her) is XJ729

i really do hope that 724 can be looked after someday to the same degree that 904 and 728 are, she deserves it

Best regards chaps

Ben

[mjr]

guys, no worries, I'm glad she still stirs some interest...I think Andy will agree though that, although Never say never (after all there is a lightning that was 50 times worse returning from the brink) but I dont think we will see 724 return to a runner for a long while, if at all. Sorry to be a doom merchant, but there just isn't the infrastructure or man power left at Binners to mount the full scale effort required to pull her engines, pipes, de-fuel her and pull her to pieces for the work required anymore. Additionally all the available active Lightning expertise required to do it, is fully tied up with Brunty, Cranfield, Stennis USA and Gatwick these days. I kid you not, between these 4 groups that's it for the uk!! (we are all close, afterall there are not many of us). So whilst we all wish we had the time to spend a week or 2 a month giving 724 full attention, it really isn't possible. The best 724 is going to get right now, is what Andy and co are planning, which is a cursery check over, wax oil, corrosion treatment, good covers and a pat on the back/watchfull eye, and maybe electrical power to drive out some moisture.

Dont worry she has a watchful eye on her all the time......but she needs a good permanent experienced crew..simple as that.

[Peter]

Jumping into the deep end here, where could she go?? Brunty??

[iainjc]

I uploaded a video of the aircraft's return to Binbrook yesterday. You can see it here via my blog: A Warrior Returns.

[Peter]

Neat video, thanks for posting it up for us to see!! Just so everyone is aware, you have to register which is free, in order to see the video unfortunately.