Lightning XN728 by A1 to be removed?

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 23 Oct 2006, 13:30

Read Novembers Flypast edition and in the briefings section there is a small article suggesting that this Lightning 'displayed' alongside the A1 at Balderton is to be finally scrapped.

Pleased about that as it was disgraceful to allow it to get to the state it is in presently.

Post by **DaveB** » 23 Oct 2006, 14:34

Nigel..

Hope you don't mind but I edited the title of your thread from AI to A1. It doesn't take much to get me confused and reading about AI Lightnings at Balderton did the trick

I'm glad it's going too mate. Not a fitting way for any aircraft to end up. Bad enough in a scrap yard but there in full public view.... :huf:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » 23 Oct 2006, 14:39

DaveB wrote: I'm glad it's going too mate. Not a fitting way for any aircraft to end up. Bad enough in a scrap yard but there in full public view.... :huf:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Having said that, when one is on autopilot on the A1* and ends up temporarily unsure of how far one's gone, it is a useful feature.

I speak from experience. One time I was so on autopilot coming out of Ferrybridge services that I didn't notice until I'd hit Hull that I'd just done 25 miles on the M62!

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 23 Oct 2006, 16:28

Nigel..

Hope you don't mind but I edited the title of your thread from AI to A1. It doesn't take much to get me confused and reading about AI Lightnings at Balderton did the trick

Not at all Dave, I've always have had a habit of confusing someone somewhere, this time it appears it was you!!!

Post by **Garry Russell** » 23 Oct 2006, 17:01

Hot_Charlie wrote:
Having said that, when one is on autopilot on the A1* and ends up temporarily unsure of how far one's gone, it is a useful feature.

I speak from experience. One time I was so on autopilot coming out of Ferrybridge services that I didn't notice until I'd hit Hull that I'd just done 25 miles on the M62!

That's a Hull of a way to find out you're on the wrong motorway. :roll:

Garry

AlexP · Post by **AlexP** » 26 Oct 2006, 22:49

This particular aircraft (XN728) is quite local to me. Having always eagerly peered out of the car window whenever passing it, from a small child to the present day, Iâ€™ve witnessed its sad demise over the past 20 plus years that it has stood beside the A1.

It really is very upsetting to me to have seen this once proud classic British fighter slowly deteriorate over time and at the hands of the mindless vandals whoâ€™ve removed just about every easily nickable part and graffitied the rest. :sad:

What makes it even worst is the fact that's actually quite a rare Lightening being an F.2A (I believe one of only two in the UK).

I had always hoped it might one day be donated to Newark Air Museum (only five miles away) but it seems now this was just wishful thinking on my part and was never to be. :crying:

For those of you who havenâ€™t already see it, some more info. on this aircraft can be found over on airsceneuk, http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/oldstuff/2 ... ntinel.htm which includes a picture of better times and of how I wish she still looked today, http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/oldstuff/2 ... el/twc.htm (I've alway felt the Lightning looks and absolute brut in those dark green markings)

Alex