In awe of the EE Lightning...

[Skodster]

For those that appreciate sheer grunt in their love of aeroplanes, I came across this video of the fantastic English Electric Lightning. The sound is quite good on this video. Turn up the headphones.

[musophilr]

I was at the Farnborough 1972 Air Show. One of those swooped down to runway level, then with belly almost scraping the ground the pilot put it on reheat and pulled up & out of there. The noise and the sight of that aircraft accellerating away was absolutely awesome.

[chillidoggy]

That was when airshows were really worth going to, and the planes flew over the crowd. Granted, so there were one or two deaths and plane crashes here and there, but they were good spectacles!

I stood by a fence as a kid at Lydd airshow, when a Lightning came in from behind me, across the width of the runway, and stood on its tail with full reheat. I could feel the heat, and nearly crapped myself. I was at Farnborough in the late 60's, and remember seeing a fighter jet, I can't remember which one, hurtle down and blast a targetn in the middle of the arena with a gatling gun, using live ammo. Brilliant stuff, but I guess H&S has tamed it somewhat these days.

[Brio]

Great plane. I must wander past Clarksons place and see if his is still on his lawn. Although considering his marital issues I suspect his missus may have done the airframe equivalent of cutting up his suits.

[bertie]

Ive actually sat in one

[chillidoggy]

Ive actually sat in one

My old boss had a ride in one in South Africa for his 50th birthday, the jammy bastard. I think it cost about 5 grand. He said it was both the most exhilarating and frightening thing he'd ever done in his life

Check it out: - http://www.incredible-adventures.com/capetown2.html

[loverocker]

My neighbour (RIP) flew them for a living, and was President of the Ten Ton Club for a while.

Here's one being just a bit too entertaining (talk about amazing photos):
http://www.eyemead.com/NOISE-1.htm

[daveyh]

Pilots hated them, so I was told (by RAF pilots). Nicknamed 'The Widowmaker', every time they landed it had to be treated as a full emergency landing.

[chillidoggy]

I thought the Widowmaker was the Lockheed Starfighter?

[Myranda_Rose]

My grandfather flew them briefly I believe... while he didn't mind it on the whole when he moved to the brand new Tornados he didn't look back with much nostalgia