The last Lightning F.6 to land at RAF Binbrook, 23rd July 1992

Lightning F.6 XR724 flew from RAF Shawbury to RAF Binbrook on 23rd July 1992.

[@cruachan1951]

PlanesTV made a programme called "A Warrior Returns" all about XR724's recovery to flight. (I was Chairman of the Lightning Association at the time - white sweatshirt on the right of the lineup). Well done for finding and publishing this video.

[@jfaviationvideos.]

Thanks very much!. Cheers 🙂👍

[@doonhamer252]

One of my favorite planes. My uncle started on Spits in 43 and finished on EE Lightnings in 62.. Best memory was getting to sit in one when he brought me to an open day.. watched him take off later in afternoon .. one week later .. he had to eject, finishing his fast jet career , aside from age catching up..

[@Andyjzr]

My Polish grandad flew for the PaF until warsaw fell and thankfully (otherwise I'd not be wrting this) got to England and became a Lancaster and Halifax pilot. Very sad he never went back to Poland as he'd have been hung but stayed with the RAF and went to Singapore for 15 years to look after the Lightening's and pilots! Where my father and uncle's were brought up. My Grandad was a man called Adam Rymarz and I'm very proud of him and his son, my uncle, Bob Rymarz went on to become Wing Commander and Station commander of Strike Command High Wycombe. I'm just proud of everyone involved doomamer really. Men that should never be forgotten. x

[@doonhamer252]

@@Andyjzr friend of our family was in same situation..

[@Jimmythefish577]

Crazy to think there’s virtually nothing left of Binbrook as it was then.

[@martinchamberlain542]

Crazy to think there’s virtually nothing left of our Air Force as it was then.

[@markblackman2542]

Not a mobile phone in site , i loved the Airshows in the 90's , more USAF and Russian jets all displaying together , they all got on with each other as pilots

[@subodai85]

Plenty of cameras clicking and being wound on though heh.

[@martinchamberlain542]

We always had a Lightning display at the annual Leicester air show at Leicester east, Stoughton in the good old days. The air show, as well as the lightning, is long gone. How I miss those times!

[@brianwillson9567]

Plus concorde, the vulcan and that 4 ship kriegsmarine F104 display , nimrod 'aerobatic comet'. Yes Stoughton was good, the road, under the flightpath, being the best place.

[@martinchamberlain542]

@@brianwillson9567 Brian, I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as i did. It was a really good display, I remember the F104s arriving suddenly from behind, the noise was stunning, then they would turn, probably somewhere over Northamptonshire and return! And don’t forget Ken Sword’s midget Mustang…..

[@brianwillson9567]

@martinchamberlain542 yes, vulcan turning circle almost within the aerodrome, 104 turning circle most of the county. At the end of the runway, directly underneath, it was the noise, and the almost everlasting 'crackle' in the air as they passed over which was impressive, otherwise 4 small dots apparently passing over Melton Mowbray is not what you would call an air display. On one of the displays I did go on the aerodrome and had a flight in a DC3. Then they were stopped because the usable runway was ' too short'. But the DC3 did not agree, ha ha.

[@alanstansfield2944]

I still have my programme for the 1970 airshow at Leicester East; the cover featuring a photo of the "Lincolnshire Poachers" Jet Provosts on it. As a student at the Polytechnic at the time, I'd walked to the airshow to save money. The performance the Lightning put on made me forget my blisters!

[@SS-kb7mt]

Wish they uk would let lightnings fly again .what an aircraft. Remember them at raf st athan

[@glenhoff1443]

A man's fighter!

[@geoffc3191]

My pal used to fly with Binbrook Lightning jockeys when he was an SAC at Coningsby - in gliders😂 Makes total sense.

[@jernejfunkl8300]

He looks like a very proud pilot... He was if he flew such a beast :)

[@maximilianboost8498]

Our old neighbour Steve Gyles flew Buccaneers to Tornadoes and said the Lightning was the best. Sports car of the skys.

[@xfire7]

Sad day , I never realised a lightning flew so late .

[@MarcvanExel]

I would think that the first guy in the red coveralls is now working on the restoration of Just Jane, hasn't changed an bit I'd say.

[@XR724LightningF6]

And also on XR724 at Binbrook. Good old Phil Wallis AKA Mr Lightning

[@MarcvanExel]

@@XR724LightningF6 Fantastic!

[@samrodian919]

I had to go back and look, but yes you are right I recognised him immediately when I looked back ! Though not a grey hair in sight at Binbrook on him lol

[@plbingham]

stunning aircraft.... when the UK made some quality gear

[@MarkKerton]

Enjoyed that James. Well documented mate. Wish I’d been there.

[@jfaviationvideos.]

Thanks very much Mark!. 🙂👍

[@richardmarshall4322]

The most exiting aircraft the British aircraft industry ever produced. Typhoon not in the same league in my opinion.Presumably delivered from BAE Warton at the end of Lightning operations

[@Retroscoop]

"A pilot's dream, a technician's nightmare"....

[@davidfenton4387]

It was a great aircraft but, such limited weapons load and low endurance, Lightning sorties were always short and sweet.

[@pachma405]

What was it doing there in 1992? I thought they were withdrawn from service before 1990.

[@meertenwelleman4600]

What happened with this particular aircraft?

[@XR724LightningF6]

Still at Binbrook under restoration www.youtube.com/@XR724LightningF6/videos

[@speedbirdconcordeBOAB]

It’s still at Binbrook being restored.

[@drewmog123456]

Was the “beer belly” for any particular purpose?

[@747crab]

A fuel tank. It could have a slightly smaller tank with the front section being replaced by two 30mm Aden cannons.

[@andykettley1927]

I think I know the guy with the video camera. Is you name Howie.

[@subodai85]

Did Shaun film this?

[@jfaviationvideos.]

No James Feneley did. 🙂👍

[@wildweasel105]

Is that Phil Wallace in groundcrew or my imagination 🤔

[@XR724LightningF6]

Definitely our Mr. Wallis. Still very active at Binbrook with XR724

[@brianchester4218]

Was at Binbrook from 1972 to 1977 those were the days every one just got on together from all trades, the rugby club was some thing else as well how the game should be played and how to royaly entertain the visiting teams, ah well they have gone now

[@dakotadakota1983]

Whats a huge plane is that Lightning.

[@pjotrtje0NL]

Wasn’t this July 1992? I only started spotting in September 1986, and with the operational Lightnings done for in April 1988 (and without me knowing that), I never ever saw one fly…

[@jfaviationvideos.]

I am sure it was in the winter time.

[@XR724LightningF6]

@@jfaviationvideos. 23rd July 1992

[@jfaviationvideos.]

Yea you are right cheers for that!. 🙂👍

[@meertenwelleman4600]

Was this video recently discovered?