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Finless Jim
Moderator: Flyingmonster
Finless Jim
Finless Jim
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.
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.
74 `Tiger` Sqn Association Webmaster
Tiger, Tiger!
Tiger, Tiger!
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Re: Finless Jim
That is Wicked!!
Cheers
Matt
Cheers
Matt
- The Phantom
- Posts: 3686
- Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:16 pm
Re: Finless Jim
Like it! Very cleverly done
Re: Finless Jim
Hi TC
I would expect no less from you
Fab idea and build, buddy
Best regards as always
Patrick
I would expect no less from you
Fab idea and build, buddy
Best regards as always
Patrick
Re: Finless Jim
Fantastic
Re: Finless Jim
Yep that works. well done mate.
Re: Finless Jim
Thank you for the kind comments all. Much appreciated.
74 `Tiger` Sqn Association Webmaster
Tiger, Tiger!
Tiger, Tiger!
Re: Finless Jim
Double take for me that is just sooooo stunning well done that man
Re: Finless Jim
That's a great concept and lovely build. The only comment I have is that '141 was an F.1 and so should lack the cable duct run along the fuselage side - this came in with the F.1A.
Re: Finless Jim
Well spotted and thank you for the correction. I obviously put far too much trust in Airfix........ST24 wrote:That's a great concept and lovely build. The only comment I have is that '141 was an F.1 and so should lack the cable duct run along the fuselage side - this came in with the F.1A.
74 `Tiger` Sqn Association Webmaster
Tiger, Tiger!
Tiger, Tiger!
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