[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by planejunky

XI (F) Sqn RAF, based at RAF Binbrook in the 1980's. The the two RR Avon engines being serious gas guzzlers, the overwing tanks were an attempt to give the aircraft extra range as it had always suffered terribly in that department. Eventually the "overburger" fuel tanks found their way onto service aircraft serving with 5 and 11 sqns, I'm unsure about the earlier squadrons, as many had converted to the Phantom in the late 1960's and early to mid 1970's.

Thanks for the background, PJ. This might be my first Lightning diecast purchase.

[planejunky]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

Thanks for the background, PJ. This might be my first Lightning diecast purchase.

No worries, glad to help. Here's a pic I took in 1992, of a Lightning with the overwing tanks. Although wearing 56 Sqn markings, it was then operated by British Aerospace (Now BAE Systems). It was flown as part of a three ship with a 56 Sqn Phantom FGR.2, and a 56 (R) Sqn Tornado F.3 as part of the squadron's transition from the Phantom to the F3.

[Shamrock]

Foolishly I let some early models go and have only 11 Sqd left in my collection. I'm looking forward to adding this one

[planejunky]

Originally Posted by Shamrock

Foolishly I let some early models go and have only 11 Sqd left in my collection. I'm looking forward to adding this one

I only ever had the 74 Sqn bird, but the undercarriage was terrible, and it wouldn't sit properly on the stand either so I eventually let it go. I may be tempted by this one though as the stands are much better these days.

[zed550]

this wont be a new tooling though!
its listed as revised tooling,looks like they are only going to add new bottom fuselage,new wings and a few new bits of plastic.
the original castings have so many faults.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by zed550

this wont be a new tooling though!
its listed as revised tooling,looks like they are only going to add new bottom fuselage,new wings and a few new bits of plastic.
the original castings have so many faults.

Granted it is not the best, but it is the only game in town.

[11SQNLDR]

For those of you who are super rich you can enjoy a flight in a Lightning - possibly the last airworthy examples (someone can help clarify this) in Cape Town South Africa.

These guys also have Buccaneers and Hunters too.
Best of all ZS can come out and buy you a beer afterwards!!

THUNDERCITY - Fly ex-combat, supersonic Jets

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by 11SQNLDR

For those of you who are super rich you can enjoy a flight in a Lightning - possibly the last airworthy examples (someone can help clarify this) in Cape Town South Africa.

Originally Posted by 11SQNLDR

These guys also have Buccaneers and Hunters too.

Best of all ZS can come out and buy you a beer afterwards!!

THUNDERCITY - Fly ex-combat, supersonic Jets

I almost signed up for this one: Mig 25 flight

[JETFAN]

The overwing location of the tanks was required as the Lightning's landing gear retracted outwards, so there wasn't a good lopcation for a pylon. The wing is very thin, so the tires were similarly very thin and had an unusually hire tire pressure. There is no more drag in the overwing location than would have been generated by an underwing installation of the tanks.

I have eleven of the Lightnings.just missing the rare OCU bird as it was released before I started collecting; My first was the 92 Sqdn Lighnting which I often saw operating in the early days.