Brian Carroll RAF interview. English Electric Lightning Anecdotes

[@colourwheel20]

Brian was my neighbour. I’ll remember him as very humble and very kind. He once got my car out of a tricky position after I drove it into the side of the garage :) I knew that as a Lighting pilot he could manage that! I later bumped into him at Cranfield, and regret not asking him for a better tour of the Lightning. He sadly passed away soon after. Much respect.

[@chunder27]

Compared to most RAF pilots who seem to be up themselves, this guy is a treasure, not arrogant or superior, just a genuinely decent guy at the peak of his powers. Fabulous service. And you can see why he was so respected and promoted!

[@ianmangham4570]

TRUTH ,I cant stand folk who are so far up their own backside ,this guys cool 😮real cool 🤠🤘🇬🇧🙏🇺🇸

[@grahamwturner]

I had the honour and privilege to be able to call Brian my friend, he took me for a trip in the lightning based at cranfield (XS458) we became quite good friends, Brian was a true gentleman indeed and would talk to anyone as an equal, during his illness we passed many emails and phone calls, and I had found one of Brian's old mounts, it was an ex r.s.a.a.f lightning F55 (55-713) we were going to visit the museum get few photo's and Brian was going to donate some memorabilia he had, alas I phoned his house to make the final travel plans, to be told by his wife Frances that sadly he had passed away, I will never forget my time with Brian or my lightning trip. thank you for posting this, it was lovely to see and hear him again.

[@cornellkirk8946]

Absolutely INCREDIBLE! Makes me so proud to be British ❤

[@briansimpson7736]

I had the privilege of strapping Mr Carroll in many times both on 23 Squadron RAF Leuchars and at Dhahran. A true gentleman. Brian Simpson ex J/T. Engine Fitter. RAF.

[@dibble419]

I had the privilege of meeting Brian at RAF Leuchars when he was with 23 Squadron. A truly modest man as is apparent in this interview. I met him through Mike Donaldson, also 23 Sqdn who you may have also strapped in. I remember Brian saying he didn't want promotion, he just wanted to fly Lightnings.

[@planeflyer21]

Mr. Andrew St. Pierre White, thank-you for this gem! As a son of a USAF career pilot of F-84G Thunderjets, RF-84F Thunderflashes, RF-101C Voodoos, RF-4C Phantom IIs, (his hated) C-141A Starlifter, and retiring out of the Lockheed U-2 Dragonlady, I had pretty much seen the entire U.S. inventory, both Air Force and Navy, at some point. However, there was a longing to see the legendary aircraft used during the Cold War by our Allies. Despite all the domestic propaganda, when an aircraft posts performance numbers like the English Electric Lightning, that simply must be a performace worth viewing! Thank-you again!

[@paulchurch3444]

Absolutely amazing man!!🤗 Well done for grabbing him to interview 🙏

[@TazRingo]

A beautiful aircraft. Up there with the Lancaster, Mosquito and Vulcan.

[@rayrichards5375]

Thanks for posting. A very good watch. The English Electric Lightning by far the best jet fighter to serve the RAF.

[@markchapman5996]

what a breath of fresh air, this is amazing. what a very interesting man. he must have been a nice guy too be around, and too know. Bravo.

[@colinmiller5502]

87,000 ft !!! Good god I totally respect this man.

[@sichere]

Just one thing to say - 87,300 feet ✈🎈😎

[@stanjojames]

Brilliant , interesting, knowlegeable interview, lovely gent too.

[@nigeh5326]

I had the chance to go to Bruntingthorpe to watch Brian Carroll pilot the one of the Lightning’s. He was a total professional and I only wish now I had asked for his autograph on my copy of Lightning from the cockpit. RIP Brian Carroll and Dave Stock

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

Fantastic interview. The Lightening's performance comparable to modern planes F16's etc! Wow. Thanks Brian, for all you've done.

[@Shredders2006FJR]

Andrew: You brought a tear to my eye. I have followed you for so long on your 4x drive videos. Then came this one about Dave Carrol. My dad who I lost 3 months ago was one of those men. I have flown circuits since I was 8. I am now 65. My dad was a Dave Carrol in his own right. He always possessed the calm and meticulous analysis of the situation and made it work out. I never felt I was in danger when I flew with him. He was my CFI lol! He was a legend in our area. I lost my dad and best friend in December. I have so many fond memories of us flying together through thick and thin always coming out on top. I feel you are a kindred spirit to me. My youngest son lives in Wagga although I live in Canada,

[@Robert66Lambretta]

What an interesting guy, I could listen to his srories all day.

[@allandavis8201]

Nobody ever liked a visit from the “trappers”, even us lowly “techies” hatted them because the aircrew wanted everything pristine and exactly on time, and woah betide the poor old “liney” if it wasn’t perfect, everyone gave a collective sigh of relief when they departed, until the final report hit the Wing Commanders desk, and if it was bad then the whole Squadron suffered. Hats off to Mr Carroll, what a truly awesome pilot. Thanks for sharing this really interesting and entertaining film, brings back a few memories,good and bad, of my 24 years in the RAF. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@AlexanderJBarrett]

Absolutely fixated from start to finish. Thank you!

[@nervo6321]

Fantastic interview and documentary for any Lightning enthusiast...thanks for posting...

[@thelurker3054]

Absolutely love seeing interviews of people like Bryan. Great work Andrew as usual.

[@neilegm]

That was a brilliant interview!

[@mktm1290]

What a pilot! Absolute hero!! Would love to meet him

[@jdcoverland365]

Thank you for sharing. I live 2 blocks from what was the Australian Air Force Base in Butterworth , Malaysia. The jets do get noisy, but they are great to watch. My grandfather worked for the USAF at Wright Patterson for many years.

[@flashcorp76]

Just Fantastic😀👍

[@rishabhraniga2990]

Absolutely love your selflessness with all that you share - your honesty has my loyalty! Thank you Andrew!

[@stephenmanchip9127]

My favourite fighter of all time. My brother was a very junior ground elec at Coltishall in mid 60s when 74 Sgn were there and scuttlebut there was the Lightning exceeded all published figures for performance by a very considerable margin. Made all other fighters seem ordinary including yank fighters much to their horror and the only problem was endurance. Brian very informative and hinted as much. It's ceiling would seem to be the same as a U2 which had been specifically built for its high flying. What a very confidant interview from an exceptional person. Most enjoyable interview on aircraft l have listened to, well done!!

[@barracuda7018]

@@stephenmanchip9127 LOL.. The French Mirage III became the first European fighter exceeding Mach 2.2. and outsold the EEL at least 10 to 1..The American fighters all became more successful as they built fighters with multi role missions and capabilities. EEL was a fighter with very limited capabilities. Reached 87.000 feet? F104 has reached 100. 000 feet so what?. The question is if it was such a wonderous British made fighter why it didn't sell much? including NATO countries.

[@barriegibson6411]

@@barracuda7018 Serviceability

[@gerryswift8913]

That man was truly blessed.

[@mickd2076]

What a fascinating story. Thank you so much.

[@bendeleted9155]

Amazing. "With little else to do", he flew himself up to just short of astronaut's wings.

[@simonrichardson5077]

Superb,thank you

[@joelfildes5544]

Great stuff,cheers !

[@peterdouglas4073]

Thank you so much for sharing that interview.

[@stickemuppunkitsthefunlovi4733]

This guy is quite obviously the real deal. Never heard of him. Don't care for planes that much but he didn't miss a beat. Not once.

[@waynedoeblin6801]

Top interview Andrew,thanks for sharing this 👍

[@MRKIZZY17]

Awesome I was glued to the screen 👍

[@b577960]

Thanks for sharing this awesome video. Why is it that all the great pilots are so unassuming and such gentlemen? There is something special and calming about them, not sure if it’s a British thing, but I have the utmost respect for it

[@patricksmith4424]

What a hero! I could listen to Brian's stories all night. I liked the one about the blacked out tanker.

[@interestedinstuff9601]

Absolutely beautiful interview! Thank you for digging it out!

[@patrickflohe7427]

I really enjoyed this interview.

[@keltacuk8112]

Absolutely brilliant!.....A first hand account of a pilots memories on a much loved English Classic jet.

[@nelsonwhaley6348]

What a privilege to listen to and see such a fascinating, unassuming and modest man, who was clearly a master of the RAF Lightning.

[@mivecsi]

Brilliant interview and what a very interesting gentlemen. Could listen to his stories all day!!

[@garyc7340]

Absolutely riveting interval. An amazing pilot

[@bobdinwiddy]

what a delightful man

[@Johnny-py6hh]

What a wonderful video of an absolute legend, I’ve seen his lightning xs904 at bruntingthorpe on a full reheat run and I’ve sat in seat #2 in a fast taxi run of xs458 at Cranfield, but they’re nothing compared to listening to Brians fantastic Lightning recollections. R.I .P Sir.

[@SpectreOZ]

I really enjoyed this interview thanks for sharing Andrew 👍

[@martinforsberg]

As being a fellow overlander and pilot, I really appreciate this kind of films. Thanks Andrew. 👍🙏

[@davecarr6792]

WHAT A GUY !

[@Simonandisla]

Love this Andrew 👍👍

[@barbaraannen8126]

Reminds me of Chuck Yeager. I could listen to him all day.

[@DataRew]

Thank you for sharing this and your other aviation documentaries. Thank you for preserving this history.

[@edwardwatt7986]

Seems like a very humble man!

[@thecallow2381]

could listen to Brian all day , what a guy

[@housey4297]

What a fantastic video. Brilliant.

[@avpinstarter]

Had the privilege of meeting Brian at Bruntingthorpe Lovely man liked to please the crowds

[@ronhughes1805]

Such a brilliant video. The interview was fascinating. Thank you.

[@markwilson9509]

Thank you Andrew. Made my day.

[@patrickp4033]

You absolute legend

[@davidlawrencebanks4610]

What a lovely knowledgeable guy, respect sir RIP

[@MorganMadej]

What an honour and a pleasure to view your excellent video with the bonus of seeing and hearing a long serving and able English Electric P1 Lightning pilot! When I was I6 I had Airfix models of the frontline RAF aircraft including this fantastic aircraft.

[@ajdhill]

When I first arrived in Dharan, January 1973, I was in awe of the Lightning pilots but they were mainly very nice guys who would give you the time of day. Brian was a true gent and it's great to hear some of his stories first hand. My memory is not as good as it was but I'm sure Brian loved a game of darts and could be seen regularly playing with the guys in the Delta Club on Al Rowdha.

[@vfrexup]

What an absolute Gentleman - definately, the best of British !

[@jeremyrogers4839]

So fascinating. Great clip!

[@DR-999]

Brian, knowing the dangers of flying above previous known ceiling .... assessed the criteria , and knew he had the skill to take it to 87,000ft...incredible !!

[@ontheroadwithjohn]

Good Stuff

[@davidruddick3346]

Fascinating man!

[@jaahdajinnahgoeswalkabout6819]

Well - those Lightnings ----that only flew at night were very noisy - but I learned how to sleep thru them (at RAF Coltishall). Tho perhaps the Vulcans at RAF Waddington were noisier ;-) I remember severely embarrassing my father when, one day I hitched home from Norwich and got picked up by a visiting royal dignitary from Saudi driving a Lamboughini. The Prince insisted on dropping me at my married quarters address. My dad was most unimpressed! Think it was 1968.

[@TR6Telos]

Brilliant, 87000ft "what" ! I used to hear them flying very low over the town of Colwyn Bay in Wales in the 60s age 9, rarely saw them. At Warton watched them climb as quick as they could. Seen the last 2 display aircraft in the 80s at Mildenhall 50ft at max speed over the runway and climb to 30,000ft. Fires have claimed many of the Lightnings, the scrap metal merchant claimed the rest.

[@rodbarker1017]

Me too. I have been intimately connected to Lightnings 1968 to the present time 10yrs 30MU RAF Sealand as a radio-tech on all the Lightning avionic kit, at one time or another. Then 3yrs at RSAF Tabuk as a tech trainer I/II. Back in UK found XS458 at Cranfield on a trip to a RSGB rally looking for bits for Thrust SSC ( that's yet another story) went over for the "£2 50p cockpit tour. Well joined the group and met Brian many many times, when he came up to do fast taxis. We had a bond being X RSAF. And yes on my last runway run we lost the brake chute due to mind numbing incompetence of the new owner. However Brian GRH managed to bring her to a stop. Somehow, getting round the corner at Alpha. We sat there waiting for the breaks to go-- BANG BANG!!! Nope sat there for a while till Tony and the gang came down and dragged 458 off the grass and back onto the Alpha hold point. He'd been here, done that but this time on only a 9Kft runway!!!!. Brian was a legend and God how I miss him. I have a goregeous pic of Brian and Jimmey Dell in 458 when JD came up for a run. I consider myself massively fortunate to have been involved with Tony Hulls project and a shared love with BC. Massive thanks for this video you will have touched many a heart within vid am shure. Barkingofssc

[@jeetts59]

Great to see aviation videos, I’ve just sold my plane so I’m missing flying

[@RT-eb6vo]

Haven't listened with that much attention for a long time ;).

[@neilhobson3624]

Nor me 🤪👍.

[@ozzy8286]

Fascinating. Loved this!

[@diagorosmelos3187]

He tells stories in an unassuming tone, that Hollywood would make million dollar films of! What a man. What a life. I'm so jealous.

[@samgraham13]

Fabulous interview. I was in Saudi in 1969 and only a few days after arriving the Lightnings apeared one after the other until 20 were there. No maintenance facilities , setting up the instrument shop and hoping there were intelligent and qualified guys arriving to back me up . Lack of water !! Anyone remember it?

[@bahoonies]

I worked on that contract in Dhahran a few years after Brian Carroll had left Saudi Arabia. I'll bet he had a lot more disaster stories to tell about working with the Royal Saudi Air force or rather Air Farce as many of us preferred to think of it. There were more colonels on Dhahran Airbase than you could shake a stick at and the higher their rank the more incompetent and interfering they were. We used to say that if there were no Saudis in it the RSAF would have worked brilliantly.

[@xfire7]

LOl remember recovering a frame from qra and found a camera in the cockpit . About half an hour later a very panicked pilot came running into the hanger . He was a litle indedcrete as he said " If anybody saw whats on that film I`d be in trouble "

[@lenfirewood4089]

A gentle mild mannered EAGLE! RIP Brian.

[@tugwilsond8907]

87300 feet! 😲

[@renedeboer7348]

wow what a story love it well done Andrew ,, love does story's ,, plus I like plains :-)

[@bertiewooster3326]

Brian checked me out circa 1973

[@OldFliersGroup]

Nice videography. Presented well too.

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

What a life that man lead ! Wow !

[@HerbertDuckshort]

87,300 ft??? That’s outer space!!

[@ThePsiclone]

"thats about me I think", probably has 1000 more riveting tales he could have told, to which I for one would gladly have listened.

[@johndavid5618]

Still the best of thee best.

[@johnthatcher2349]

I wonder if the typhoon can get to 87000 feet?

[@garypeatling7927]

Computer wouldn't let it I suspect

[@howardsix9708]

absolutely excellent video and encounter with heroes.............well done...........h6 ukvet raf binbrook

[@kevinpierce3458]

Wow what a guy

[@JustPete65]

Can you please check the Patreon link. I got a '404 Not Found' on my mobile. You will have to buy your own beer till it's fixed

[@brianfearn4246]

I wouldn't like to imagine if the UK was invaded from the air today by some foreign bodies never mind cv19 the RAF would probably have to arm the red arrows and visit a few museums and hopefully reinstate a few lightnings. It's a pity we haven't got the air supremacy anymore I just hope nothing ever happens.. RIP Brian absolutely fabulous listening to you..

[@Evan_Bell]

0:04. Yes. 0:06 Yes & Yes. 0:09 YEEESSSSS

[@JohnErnstP76]

Wow wow wow...

[@andrewmullen4003]

What a smashing guy, much respect Sir, from an erk who did 24 years.

[@bradsparks6008]

He definitely had some storys to tell his grandchildren

[@keithmorgan6885]

One of the most interesting videos I've seen. Brian was obviously a one off. I bet he'd have been " one of the few "given an earlier birthdate. Thanks

[@grahamlance7236]

Hi Brian, my Dad flew for 23 Sqd.. wondering if you new Lofty Lance?

[@Smiling_mike]

👍👍👍

[@Radio478]

I worked for EE/BAE

[@johnreed3638]

The Lightning is still the Best by far interceptor in RAF history. Agility and speed was her name.

[@UserUser-ww2nj]

2000 dollars ? ,I could go for that . probably the most incredible 30 minutes of your life