Just another day at Binbrook. (Or was it?)

After months of preparations, checks, checks, and more checks we were finally ready for something rather special to happen.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

What a great team on this F-6....Thanks very much..... Old F-4 Phantom ll fighter jet pilot Shoe🇺🇸

[@zebop917]

In 1970 as an early-teenage plane spotter, my Mum took me to the Battle Of Britain Day display at Coltishall when the Lightning squadrons were still there. I was totally hooked at the sight of them taking off, lightning up the afterburners and ascending directly into the heavens. One of the formation team even managed to create some drama by bursting a tyre on landing and slewing off the runway. It’s wonderful that a dedicated team can still keep one as a functioning machine even if will be confined to the ground.

[@johnreed3638]

Such a beautiful Aircraft. Even today the Lightning would eat most modern jets for breakfast regarding speed and manoeuvrability. As for its takeoff climb rate, JUST PHENOMENAL.

[@ianelphick6948]

Now there's a sound I recognise from 50+ years back - although at the time I didn't know what it was ! 😍

[@747crab]

What an evocative noise! Brings back happy memories. Well done to all.

[@damienmilk3025]

An absolute delight to watch.

[@duncanbeard9460]

Good stuff folks!

[@cristowrail2678]

Well done everyone on the team fantastic job Cheers

[@hbw7615]

Well done everyone involved. My favourite aircraft! Just wish she was aloud to fly.

[@GrahamHenderson-ew9rt]

Brilliant!!

[@nicholasdavies6264]

Wasn’t it an awesome aircraft ! The speed of that “ demon” was immense for its time. 👍

[@jameswade4097]

When i was little in the 1960s i saw these { i did not no what they were then } flying so high and so fast, i could only see the contrail. I built an Airfix model with the lightning bolt through the roundel. My joint favourite with the Spitfire mk 9

[@richardwells4370]

Well done guys , really hope this beauty flies again 👍👍👍👍

[@bobrichards6696]

Lovely job, well done team 👍🏻

[@Peter.w]

ohh the first true signs of life coming back into her. Won't be long now til the team sends the sound of the mighty avon over the fields of Binners once more! Great job Team! Exciting future for Alpha Echo!

[@XR724LightningF6]

We certainly hope so.

[@kurtbarker3303]

Fantastic work boys, it’s looking like it’s getting the care it needs. I first met John in 2002, he’s still at it! 724 was the first jet I ground ran under the instruction of Pip. I assume he’s passed on now?

[@scroggins100]

Now there is a word I havent heard for a while... AVPIN! Grand job lads..

[@XR724LightningF6]

lightning-xr724.sumupstore.com/ www.gofundme.com/f/an-aircraft-shelter-for-lightning-XR724 facebook.com/XR724 www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LightningJetFighterXR724 www.lightningassociation.co.uk www.youtube.com/@XR724LightningF6/videos

[@boblovell5789]

Interested in your work but not an aircraft expert .Is this a new addition to the two you fire up on open days ?

[@XR724LightningF6]

This is at Binbrook, not Bruntingthorpe. 2 different groups of Lightning enthusiasts

[@boblovell5789]

Thanks for that. Getting my B's mixed up. Anyway, all the best with such an exciting project.

[@fire3048]

Your thinking of the ones that the lightning preservation group have at bruntingthorpe which do regular engine runs. Xr724 it at Binbrook & is not running at the moment. Regards Stephen ex RAF firefighter stn there many years ago.

[@XR724LightningF6]

@@fire3048 Watch this space

[@avpinstarter]

Owd Phil Wallis gets about a bit tinkering wi the owd girls lol

[@XR724LightningF6]

A very useful member of the team as well.

[@damianbrennan2258]

Its a pity it will never fly again not in england

[@xfire7]

Where did the avpin come from ? 😲

[@XR724LightningF6]

I'm not sure we are at liberty to disclose that but it was not cheap.

[@davidw2820]

What’s an avpin? Interested cos I have a lad training to be a RAF Avtech and he’s never heard of it so it’s maybe obsolete?

[@XR724LightningF6]

@@davidw2820 Iso-propyl nitrate. It's a monofuel (Doesn't need oxygen to burn) used in the starter system of quite a few Classic jets, including this one, and the cost of it is ridiculously high.

[@davidw2820]

Thanks for the reply. Love the Lighting ever since seeing a flyby at the Finningley air show way back when I was a nipper. All the best with your efforts. You’re doing the world a favour.

[@XR724LightningF6]

@@davidw2820 Quite a few of us on the project worked on them at Binbrook in the 80's. A love/hate relationship at that time but now love what we are doing.