Interesting Documentary of the Classic Lightning

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 07 Jul 2007, 16:52

Came across this whilst browsing as enjoy watching documentaries related to this period in aviation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLMhdUYU ... ed&search=

Post by **Garry Russell** » 07 Jul 2007, 17:21

Cheers Nigel

Amazing to think that this type was flying nigh on 50 years ago :shock:

Garry

Post by **DelP** » 07 Jul 2007, 18:26

Nice find Nigel

..a bit of Cold War persuation methinks...the Lightning has never appealed to me but I did get goosebumps watching that :shock:

Derek

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 07 Jul 2007, 23:29

Garry Russell wrote:Amazing to think that this type was flying nigh on 50 years ago :shock:

Looking at the book on the shelf above me reminds me that the first flight of the P1B (essentially the proper Lightning prototype) was on the 4th April 1957. That's an anniversary missed!

The second P1B (XA853) is definitely featured in that footage. I didn't spot the nose probe of XA847, but some may have featured it too. But it's a great vid - thanks Nigel.

James

steelsporran · Post by **steelsporran** » 09 Jul 2007, 05:59

Garry Russell wrote: Amazing to think that this type was flying nigh on 50 years ago :shock:

In pre-HUD times.
No downloading the mission electronically then. All steam-driven, there was a smaller radar indicator mounted in the spine that was filmed by a cine-camera.

petermcleland · Post by **petermcleland** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:44

steelsporran wrote:
Garry Russell wrote: Amazing to think that this type was flying nigh on 50 years ago :shock:
In pre-HUD times.
No downloading the mission electronically then. All steam-driven, there was a smaller radar indicator mounted in the spine that was filmed by a cine-camera.

There was the Pilot Attack Sight for the very last part of the attack sequence and that did have some elements of HUD in it...Principally, an horizon bar that allowed the pilot to keep looking through the sight for the last stages of the attack, without losing an appreciation of his attitude. The sight also had "Missile Aquisition" indicators and "Range Brackets"...When these last mentioned came up, then the pilot could fire and forget (and basically fall back down from space to a more reasonable 36,000 feet!!)

Post by **DaveB** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:50

My only complaint about that footage is that it was too short!! Excellent find Nigel

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 09 Jul 2007, 20:30

My only complaint about that footage is that it was too short!!

Agree Dave, so have trawled around You Tube and found this one, just over 8 minutes, thought you or anyone might be interested to see just a bit more. No commentary, just music.

Out of interest I wonder if the typhoon (Eurofighter) will one day ever be looked upon in the same way as the lightning??!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfnX0xd1k9E

steelsporran · Post by **steelsporran** » 10 Jul 2007, 03:40

petermcleland wrote: There was the Pilot Attack Sight for the very last part of the attack sequence and that did have some elements of HUD in it...Principally, an horizon bar that allowed the pilot to keep looking through the sight for the last stages of the attack, without losing an appreciation of his attitude. The sight also had "Missile Aquisition" indicators and "Range Brackets"...When these last mentioned came up, then the pilot could fire and forget (and basically fall back down from space to a more reasonable 36,000 feet!!)

I can only remember that the range circle and breakaway cross started with AI 23B along with the slave indicator which I think wasn't till the F3.
Anyway, getting OT and turning down memory lane, an improvement on the GGS MkV and Radar Ranging!

petermcleland · Post by **petermcleland** » 10 Jul 2007, 11:08

steelsporran wrote:I can only remember that the range circle and breakaway cross started with AI 23B along with the slave indicator which I think wasn't till the F3.
Anyway, getting OT and turning down memory lane, an improvement on the GGS MkV and Radar Ranging!

Yes indeed!...However, most of my cannon firing was done from a Venom with pegged range and no radar against a towed flag...just a few towed gliders and the opportunity to twist the throttle for manual ranging. Then the great luxury of radar ranging in the Hunter...Loved it!

My Lightning missile firing was confined to the Mark II Simulator, which I instructed on at Leconfield