Lightning XS458 lives

[Darren Harbar]

Lightning XS458 at Cranfield does not share the limelight in the way many other fast taxi jets in the UK do, but it is possibly one of the best-kept examples I have seen. Not only does she look fantastic, a quiet, yet very dedicated team, who will really push the boat out to make invited visitors welcome, support the T5. I say this, because XS458’s owner Russell Carpenter invited me along to a live run the other weekend, so that I could take some photographs and I was bowled over by the operation that keeps XS458 alive. Russell is so passionate about his Lightning, but he knows that what he has is special, and therefore likes the opportunity to show it to invited guests when he is performing a high speed run. I will happily pass on your details to Russell if you are interested in experiencing a live Lightning in a private yet informal environment, then drop me a mail, and I will send the details to Russell.


Here she is – quite stunning!















‘Pilot’ for the day was Dennis Brooks

[James Wheeler]

Great pictures Darren, love the first one - very atmospheric!

[Marc the Pieman]

Nice pics,

I have fond memories of Lightnings displaying at Tangmere when my Dad took me there as a kid around 1960. Awesome!

marc

[Clive From Canada]

Hi all!

Dumb question here. Is XS458 airworthy?

Cheers,
Clive. Stranded in the colonies. (Canada)

[Darren Harbar]

Hi Clive,

Not airworthy, but she has been active for a number of years. From what I know, she was flown in with four other airframes, or which three were eventually scrapped and the other went to South Africa where she flies today with Thunder City. Apparently, XS458 is the only active lighting that has not been broken up for transport since it's days with the RAF, and therefore the last remaining untouched lighting in that effect. She is repainted on a regular basis, as teh owner likes to keep her looking good, and offer alternative scheams. I will post some additional images later of her in action.

Darren

[Darren Harbar]

Some additional images:

[Unit 53]

I can almost hear the Top Gun theme rolling in the background, Awesome pictures Darren. 

[paul b]

             Two great sets of photos Darren.
             They certainly keep her immaculate, great to see. 

                          Paul   

[cirrus]

     Yes brilliant photo as always!!

      I think I can feel the nice smell of JET A1 fuel!

      Wery nice Darren!

      Regards,
      Krister.