Lightning F.3, XP762/M of 111 Squadron, RAF Wattisham 1965

[Vic Balshaw]

Much obliged guys! Anyhoo..... How many here knew, that in the summer of '65, Mk. 3's from Treble One Squadron successfully intercepted a Lakenheath based, very highflying U-2? 8)

Needless to say, the USAF was not impressed!

With the rate of climb they could muster from a standing start, I'm not surprised.

 

[Lucky13]

Can see the U2 pilot.....

*Wtf!? Who the h*ll are they, where the f*ck did they come from??*

 

[Wayne Little]

Good one Jan....get into it man!

 

[Lucky13]

As soon as Sir!

PS. Thanks for moving the thread Wojtek! Forgot to mention that earlier...embarrassing!

 

[Airframes]

Intercepting the U2 was no surprise. They didn't call the Lightning the 'Hot Ship' for nothing! Held the record for the fastest, highest flying interceptor for a long time, until the advent of 'modern' machines in the late 1970's. Oooh! To see a 'scramble' take-off - vertical climb until it disappeared!

 

[Lucky13]

'To see'? I'd rather sit in the hot rod as she took off.....talk about adrenalin(?) rush! 8)

Speed would be like a sleeping pill!

 

[Airframes]

Er...done it in a T5 old chap. Still looking for my eyeballs and intestines!!

 

[rochie]

Er...done it in a T5 old chap. Still looking for my eyeballs and intestines!!

show off !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Airframes]

Well, when given the chance and all that old boy!!

 

[rochie]

oh i'm only saying that because i'm very green with envy

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool! I'm really glad somebody is doing this one.

 

[Airframes]

Green with envy mate? I was green for a very different reason after landing!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Intercepting the U2 was no surprise. They didn't call the Lightning the 'Hot Ship' for nothing! Held the record for the fastest, highest flying interceptor for a long time, until the advent of 'modern' machines in the late 1970's. Oooh! To see a 'scramble' take-off - vertical climb until it disappeared!

Standing start to the spiral up to 50,000ft I believe was about 2 minutes, watched it many times in the clear blue sky until only the vapour trail gave away their location.

 

[Lucky13]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cjhwGFrJdw


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLMhdUYUQQg


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhk5wgivbwk


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDKjVxczpU

 

[Airframes]

Breakfast in the Mess, flight in the Lightning, lunch in the wash basin.......

 

[Lucky13]

I presume that you noticed the No. 56 Squadron old boy....

 

[Airframes]

Haven't looked at them all yet old chap. Later....

 

[Lucky13]

You'll like it me think.... Quite colourful!

 

[Airframes]

Great vids old chap. The last one, with the 'Firebirds', was probably filmed around the time Vic was there, as there are Javelins in the background - nice!

 

[Lucky13]

Well, that's me just ordered the decals.... Just to get a better cockpit!