Wing Commander Taffy Holden reunited with Lightning XM135

Family visit back to Duxford Air Museum to see the Lightning Taffy flew back in 1966.

[@pawii111]

I'd risk my museum career just to let this Man see that cockpit

[@davidr5964]

"No, it's not possible today" from the person in the background when Taffy asked for a ladder to look inside. Imagine being this much a jobsworth that you won't grant that man his wish!

[@chaseman113]

Ha right? Maybe they were afraid he’d take it for spin again. I’d be finding that man a ladder regardless of whatever a jobsworth is. I’ll fight a jobsworth for a ladder.

[@Jojooooooo]

@@chaseman113 sometimes the planes are privately owned and stored in the museum, in which case they probably wouldn't be allowed to. Don't know if it's the same with this lightning though

[@namename3130]

Jeez yeah

[@wm565]

I say get that man a ladder.

[@jackt883]

The guy literally flew the thing without any jet training and got a slap on the wrist, but that muppet wouldn't even let him stand and look into it.

[@oliverwalker5954]

What an adventure, he must have been a hell of a pilot. Well done Mr Holden, what an experience. Thanks for the video, what a story.

[@insonh21]

God Bless Taffy, what a great story with a happy ending would make a great movie"The Reluctant Jet Pilot" staring Rowan Atkinson

[@daanklas776]

Old people stories are the best to listen to

[@e63amg58]

An amazing story, what a legend, god bless you Taffy where ever you are. RIP mate.

[@kiralybiro100]

Such pumpkin engineers create the world! I know a Hungarian scout who parachuted and occasionally sat in the co-pilot seat of a double-winged aircraft and the pilot explained the instruments and treatment in flight. He was once taken on a walking flight with a cessna, and while flying, the pilot - he thought he was also a pilot - handed over the lead to him. He did it, but at the landing at 50 meters he indicated that "I don't know this concrete, you put down the plane" ... :)

[@mktm1290]

Absolute legend, a story that shall never be forgotten, guy is immortal just like the English Electric lightning

[@jackking5567]

These wonderful engineers with nothing but slide rules and pencils created machine pron like that. Much respect to these people - true British heroes.

[@brucecaldwell6701]

One of the coolest stories I've ever heard!

[@Zakalwe-01]

Absolutely wonderful!

[@toucheturtle3840]

IWM Duxford is well worth a visit. I’ve been there twice. Will visit again soon with my 76 year old father.

[@Terrytibbs357]

Did you go back if so hope it was good need to go back myself soon

[@Hollows1997]

Rest In Peace, Sir.

[@ClassicAviationTV]

A point in aviation history. Thank you

[@rogerdodger1790]

Proper brit, bless him, salt of the earth old fella 🇬🇧

[@ethylead]

What a wonderful man and a talented pilot. God rest his soul.

[@markbeetham5118]

Brilliant. What an amazing man

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

What a cracking guy. Yes, I've heard it told all sorts of way including that the incident occurred in Scotland.

[@stephenking9271]

What a remarkable story from a remarkable man. I’m sure there are many many amazing stories out there of events that unfold in the forces. However this one is well up there, fantastic story & I am sure this flight actually went in his Log Book (solo 12mins in a lightning) Fantastic!

[@Dave_Sisson]

The History Guy, one of the more popular KZbin history channels, has recently uploaded a well produced video on this incident. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXHaImBq6xksJI But hearing Taffy Holden speaking about his adventure is even better.

[@davidparsons5019]

Brilliant video Dan thanks

[@xylicable]

Totally amazing.

[@chiswolfenden2400]

Bless you Taff

[@SensitivityGames]

best story ive ever heared please some one make a damm movie about this

[@CullenRick]

Such a shame to hear the "No, it's not possible today" from the other employee. What a jobsworth with no concept of where he is working, or the importance of the people to the stories. There was no reason why they couldn't wheel a set of inspection steps over, as he only wanted to look in, not access, the cockpit.

[@ingridhardy4696]

Agreed - but they're quite happy to cash in on the publicity he has generated!

[@notwhereyouthink]

What a legend and what an experience. I used to watch these land and take off while stationed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. They were basically gas canisters on steroids.

[@SukacitaYeremia]

I keep anticipating a "Bally Jerry" to come out of nowhere in the middle of his speech

[@georgebuller1914]

No insult meant to this gentleman, but this really did remind me of the Tony Hancock sketch! :-) RIP 'Taffy'

[@gazof-the-north1980]

The RAF was to blame for this. Someone whose only experience was in a Tiger Moth should not have been allowed to taxi a jet like the Lightning. A Jet Provost or a Gnat wouldnt have been so bad but NOT the Lightning. There's a reason it was sometimes nicknamed "The Frightening"!!!. It really was the wrong aircraft to put in inexperienced hands. But full credit to Taffy for managing to land without hurting himelf or anyone else on the ground. Absolute legend!

[@Rambogner]

Taffy actually broke the rules. The test was to be conducted by a qualified test pilot, however Taffy wanted to get the aircraft operational again and did it all himself rather than wait for the test pilot. His fault, not that of the RAF. And I am by no means of disrespecting him at all by saying this, this man is a legend

[@Alf763]

@@Rambogner he didn’t act against any orders in the FOB and was suggested to do it by a test pilot from another base, what he did was a little bit reckless but not necessarily wrong

[@georgebuller1914]

@@Alf763 True! And let's not forget, if we didn't have 'reckless', then many, many fields of engineering wouldn't be as far advanced as they are today! :-)