Lightning XR749 - Info Required

Location : Prestwick Spotter Watch Member : No

Morning folks,

I have recently acquired the original tail fin from EE Lightning XR749 with the intention of using it as a bit of a garden ornament!

However, on discovering the great history of the aircraft, I have decided to keep it mounted “loose” and take it to a few of the smaller shows/air days towards the end of the year and maybe in 2010 depending on the sort of reception we get. For the small display, I’m planning on having a DVD running on my laptop and a couple of big display boards with stories and pictures etc.

Now XR749 was the jet the famously intercepted both Concorde and a U2, however apart from these stories I’m finding any more information or photos quite hard to come by. I’m looking for anything, no matter how big or small! Does anyone know a time line of its life, did you work or fly on the jet?

Unfortunately the jet has again been dismantled by its current owner with its future uncertain, please help me keep its memory going.

Warmest Regards

Subject: Re: Lightning XR749 - Info Required 2009-06-13, 01:36

you say you have the tail fin, do you know what's happening with the rest of the airframe.

can it be saved ???

Geoff

Location : Cleveland Spotter Watch Member : No

This link might give you a bit more info.
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivor.php?id=134

I also have pictures of it when it was at Teesside Airport on Display and also shots of it being dismantled ready to be transported to Scotland.

There are a number of links below the page of said Lightning.

Colin

Location : UK Spotter Watch Member : No

Here's a couple of pics scanned from Ian Black's 1988 book, "Lightning". (Hope it's OK to put these here. If not, let me know and I'll remove them). I was surprised to find a F3 on such a late serial!

Lightning XR749 - Info Required XR7492