The Lightning Association
Then and Now

The Lightning Association was formed in the year following the aircraft’s retirement from RAF service in the spring of 1988. Adrian Campbell, from the aviation video industry, and Squadron Leader "Furz" Lloyd, a Lightning pilot ex-5 Squadron, organised a "Lightning Rally" at Binbrook on 2 July 1989. It was a great success, and out of it the Lightning Association was born. The Rally is still held annually at RAF Binbrook, although we have missed one or two years due to such things as the national fuel strike coinciding with the date one year and loss of our public liability insurance, along with many other organisations and societies, following the September 11 attacks in America.

The Officers of the Association is as follows. The Chairman and Secretary is Charles Ross, a veterinary surgeon who owns the airframes of XR725, ex-flagship of 11 Squadron, and XM192, which stood on the RAF Wattisham gate for 20 years until 1994. XR725 is on static display at his house in Binbrook village, while XM192 is on loan to the Bomber County Museum at Hemswell, Lincolnshire. The Treasurer and Stock Manager is John Leishman, an engineer with Novartis in Grimsby. His son Iain, an engineer graduate currently working for his PhD, is the membership Secretary. John Watson and Les Overton are in charge of all technical projects and of our operational jet, F.6 XR724, based at RAF Binbrook.

The original aims of the Association were 1) To provide a platform for promoting the cause of Lightning preservation and informing members and the air-minded public of developments and 2) To foster communication and a spirit of goodwill between enthusiasts groups with airframes for their mutual benefit. It was decided that the best means of direct communication was via a magazine, and the Lightning Review was launched.

From the first photocopied twelve page issue, the Lightning Review grew to 32 pages in the second issue and by the third issue was being properly printed on glossy paper. It acquired a twelve-page technical supplement and helped the membership grow to 500 at its highest point. This is just some of the contents list from previous issues, many of the articles being accompanied by previously unseen photographs from members' collections. Many back issues are still available and a list of issues and contents can be obtained from the Secretary, who is also the Editor of the Review.

The story of the purchase, preparation and final flight into Binbrook under military marks of XR724
Histories of individual aircraft
News and regular updates from many other preservation and restoration projects
Analysis of Lightning loss rates and applicability to future flying operations
The return of the Saudi Lightnings
What might have been - the Lightning F Mk9
The Lightning Simulator
Lightning memorabilia; information on books, models, prints, parts, clothing, instruments etc.
Civil aircraft accident data and relationship to Lightning accident analysis
Lightning weapons systems, including the nuclear-tipped Genie air to air missile
Mid air formation collision avoidance and other pilots' stories and anecdotes
Moving Lightnings by road
Stories of ejections from Lightnings including the Mirage ejection at Binbrook
Military to civil operation conversion, the CAA parameters
Details of all preserved Lightnings in the UK and abroad and their locations
The UFO theory surrounding the loss in the North Sea of XS894
Comparisons between the Lightning and other fighters
Stories of gun and missile-firing exercises

The Lightning Association had originally set out to act as a focal point for the spread of information, but with no intention of itself getting involved with airframes. However, XR724 was the first of the five Lightnings allocated to British Aerospace at Warton as chase aircraft in the Tornado radar development trials to be retired and flown into storage at RAF Shawbury. It was put up for tender by MoD in 1991 and purchased by the Association. The aeroplane had no engines or seat, but had been perfectly preserved in a temperature and humidity controlled hangar, and efforts began to get a permit to fly her back to Binbrook.

Due to the tremendous efforts of our team of experienced ex-Lightning technicians from all parts of the country, XR724 was prepared for flight to the satisfaction of British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce. However, the Civil Aviation Authority was not prepared to grant a Permit To Fly and, after a long struggle to get the required piece of paper, BAe agreed to fly her under their flag in military markings.

On 23 July 1992, XR724 took off from RAF Shawbury in the hands of Peter Gordon-Johnson, the Deputy Chief Test Pilot of British Aerospace. From where we were all standing near the Binbrook tower, she appeared out of poor weather from the north and flew down the main runway at approximately 1340 hrs before going off to overfly RAF Coningsby and RAF Scampton before recovering to Binbrook. A specially commissioned signed print and a limited edition of photographs were flown in the aircraft on the day and these are still available to members.

The aircraft is owned by a group of shareholders who have put money into the project. The XR724 Project has expended to own a variety of equipment and spares, including three engines with air-life left on them. The Lightning Association holds a number of shares and holds the ultimate right of veto if there were an attempt to manage the project in an unacceptable fashion or to try to dispose of the airframe. A shareholders meeting is held every year after the annual Rally.

However, everything is subject to change, and the Lightning Association is no exception. It became increasingly difficult to obtain enough material to maintain the high standards of production which members had come to expect from the magazine. Rather than let it wither slowly, the decision was taken in September 1995 to have a final bumper issue using all the available remaining material and photographs and to call it a day on a high note. However, under considerable pressure from the membership and with new articles and stories of Lightnings being submitted to the editor, the Review was brought back to life and the Phoenix edition came out in July 1996. It is now hoped to produce two issues per year, material allowing. So if you are a new member and have some experiences you think the membership would like to hear (look at the Review for the sort of thing we need), send them to us. The other main focus of the Association is XR724.

The engines used to power XR724 on her final flight into Binbrook were borrowed, and were removed and returned following the flight. However, the Association decided, in the light of generous offers of help from some members, to acquire and install engines in the airframe and ground run it, which would enable members to hear once again the unmistakeable sound of twin Avons firing up. This was completed during the summer of 1995, and the engines were ground run for all members at the Rally that year. Assuming no problems, it is hoped that the engines will be run and the aircraft taxied at intervals throughout the year, including at the Rally, and it is also proposed that Shareholders will be invited to exclusive opportunities to see engine runs with corresponding photo-opportunities. However, it must be said that any activities concerning the aircraft depend on the goodwill of those now controlling Binbrook Airfield.

The basic membership fee is now £15 per annum for full members and £2 for family members of full members of the Association. All members receive a numbered, security-style lapel badge, holder and clip. Badges are unique and are retained for life. Full members will receive all copies of the Lightning Review. Family members will have the same rights as full members (eg. access to visits, free entry to the Rally) but will not receive a separate magazine. Full members will take precedence for any limited entry events (eg. tours of Warton). All members can visit the Lightning Room, a mini Lightning Museum at Charles' house at Binbrook at the Rally or at any other time by arrangement with him.

Further information can be obtained within the site or by contacting us via the Contact page. We hope that you will be able to join us and take an active part in the Association.