South African Lightning F6 flies!

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Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,553

A bit of news shamelessly lifted from the UK Airshow Review websites forum:

"We were at Thunder City last Thursday and saw the F6's maiden test flight. Photos when available!

End of the afternoon was spent with Mike Beachy Head drinking champagne to celebrate the days events. The team at Thunder City had been working late into the previous evening and at just after 13:00, Mike taxied out and, on the basis that he would abort the take-off run should there be any problems, proceeded to lift off from Cape Town's runway. On his return he preformed two missed approaches, banking high over the Thurnder City hangar before slotting in with the normal airliner traffic.

It was completely wonderful, as you may have gathered!"

Congratulations to all at Thunder City. Now when's the next flight out to Jo'burg, I wonder...? :)

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 44

RE: South African Lightning F6 flies!

Wonderfull.......
I wonder how long it'll be before Delta's Hunter pilot Dave Roome, will be flying out to SA to take her up? After all, the former XR773 was 'his' Lightning when he did his tour with 74 Sqn at Tenegh 30 years ago..........

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 98

RE: South African Lightning F6 flies!

Just one more to go!!! Well you did some shameful nicking of info, so shameful promo it is. http://www.englishelectriclightning.com
I need more info, pics, stories, artcles etc All files will be credited to their author, I won't take credit.
Anyway well done to Mike and the lads in SA. No doubt vic formation at the next display. That will be something to witness!

James Scott

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 465

RE: South African Lightning F6 flies!

Brilliant. Lets hope XP693 is back where she belongs soon!

Will a Lightning ever grace UK skies again? I hope so. With the Vixen and hopefully soon the Vulcan, authorisation is being granted for increasingly more complex aircraft....

My fingers are crossed:)

Paul.