: 74Sqn Lightning F1s at Coltishall in 1961Mod
: 74Sqn Lightning F1s at Coltishall in 1961









RLN wrote:The Russians seemed to like them.
Its main use in American service was the unusual one of a manned flying target for gunnery practice.[16] The aircraft was generally painted bright orange to increase its visibility. All armament and the regular armor was removed from these RP-63 aircraft, and over a ton of armored sheet metal was applied to the aircraft. This was fitted with sensors that would detect hits, and these hits were signaled by illuminating a light in the propeller hub where the cannon would have been. This earned the aircraft the unofficial nickname of Pinball.[16] Special frangible rounds made of a lead/bakelite combination were developed that would disintegrate upon impact.[16] These were known as the "Cartridge, Caliber .30, Frangible, Ball, M22." Ivan L. Hickman, a veteran Pinball pilot, eventually authored Operation Pinball in 1990.
Sod that for a game of soldiers.




MOD wrote:NAA X-15 1962 documentary.
This was the subject of a school science project I took part in circa 1963/4. I even wrote to NASA and North American Aircraft and I received a folder with lots of (declassified) info and tons of photos.
Think for a moment. I was 13/14 - I had recently seen Lightnings doing nighttime stream take-offs from Leconfield and then Vulcan scrambles from Finningley. The Space Race was just about to get very interesting l!! The Gemini,Mercury and Saturn programmes were watched live by millions with the 60s culminating in the first Lunar landing in July 1969....
What do today's 13 year olds find inspirational?? :(
Mod



Xplumberlives wrote:Well Mike is 14 and he loves Lightnings!
Oh by the way, I was SPAWNED in 1964!
















I have some shots of them at Waddo during ACMI deployments and Tactical Fighter Meets..Checkflaps wrote:
Footage from the same film, Les Chevaliers du Ciel (Sky Fighters - for the non french speaking world). Good film, great flying sequences, cheezy dubbing on the imported film. Good waste of 90 minutes though.![]()
Garry
- The Mirage IV was my alltime favourite..







RLN wrote:I remember that. Nothing like looking at a beaver.


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