On 17th May 1961 Flt Lt Jim Burns flying XM141 EE Lightning F.1 was number 4 in a high speed low level ‘finger four’ pass over RAF Coltishall.
At an approx IAS of 575 knots, Jim got high and close into the jet wash of the lead aircraft resulting in the rudder and parts of the tail fin to separate. Fortunately the aircraft remained controllable and Jim (using aileron control) landed it safely at Colt
As well as the fin and the rudder, the radio aerial on the spine had disappeared too thereby preventing any communication. English Electric's conclusion was that it was the effects of aerodynamic pressure which had built up during the course of the four aircraft's high speed low level manoeuvre which had exposed a structural weakness and caused the rudder and part of the fin to sheer off. It would seem that Jim had a big boot full of rudder on when he entered the engine jet wash from the lead aircraft.
All Lightnings were subsequently strengthened and Jim became known on the squadron as Finless Jim thereafter.
That is Wicked!! 
