A few B+Ws from the '80s (Now with added Lightnings)

[F3]

Back in the day I took a fair few B+W photos as the magazines would not entertain colour. I came across these while rummaging through my B+W boxes which I believe represent the pick of the crop. I particularly like the Tristar which made a surprise appearance at a Linton Graduation Day. The 43 Sqn. flagship was one of the stars in the Static at the '89 Teesside Airshow which was the last one until it was briefly resurrected a few years ago. Upon reflection I decided to share some of the many Lightning pics taken at Binbrook which was my go -to spotting venue at that time (west side crash gate).

216 Sqn Tristar - Linton circa '86 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Jaguar GR.1 XX985 AJ 14 Sqn. - Binbrook circa '86 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Phantom FGR.2 XV571 43 Sqn. - Teesside '89 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

GAF F-104 G - Ex Elder Forest '84 Binbrook by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Lightning F.6 XS895 DF LTF - Binbrook '85 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Lightning T.5 XS458 DX LTF - Binbrook circa '86 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Lightning F.6s 5 Sqn.- Binbrook circa '86 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Lightning Hush house - Binbrook circa '86 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Last display Lightning XP741 AR 5 Sqn. - Coningsby '87 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

Last display Lightning take - off - Coningsby '87 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[Kestrel]

Great photos. I too took a few b&w, but mainly because (pre-digital era), one could do your own processing and printing the same day!

[jpickers56]

Nice selection there Michael thanks for sharing these.

[Mustang531]

Very interesting to see these and thanks for sharing them with us. Nice to see the German F-104, but several Lightning's too.

[Seahawk 11]

Great set of photos there, love the Lightnings,

Rob

[LimaHotel01]

Good photos, both Binbrook and the Lightnings are much missed. Some nice visitors at Binbrook too, with the 14 sqn Jags and the German Star. Also visiting Phantoms (19 or 29 sqn?) in the background of the 104 photo.

Thanks for the memories.

[matt e]

nice set especially the lightnings

[3Greens]

Nice set Mick
Spent most of my time at the crash gate at the North end of the runway.
Like you I used b&w for mags. 10m bulk rolls of FP4 could be loaded into my own cassettes then afew quick mods in the bathroom for processing later... Happy days
Thanks for posting
Keith (3Greens)

[F3]

Good photos, both Binbrook and the Lightnings are much missed. Some nice visitors at Binbrook too, with the 14 sqn Jags and the German Star. Also visiting Phantoms (19 or 29 sqn?) in the background of the 104 photo.

Thanks for the memories.

The '84 Elder Forest was the first (and best) Airex I attended and also the busiest as half the Coningsby Phantoms (from 29 + 64 Sqns.) were based there as I think it's runway was being resurfaced. The other half were @ Waddo. That shot of the F-104G was the first pic I ever had published (in Air Pictorial). There was a huge slice of luck involved as Wattisham, where all the Press were assembled, was fog bound and hence unable to receive any foreign visitors so there was a dearth of pics of the attackers.

[3Greens]

Good photos, both Binbrook and the Lightnings are much missed. Some nice visitors at Binbrook too, with the 14 sqn Jags and the German Star. Also visiting Phantoms (19 or 29 sqn?) in the background of the 104 photo.

Thanks for the memories.

The '84 Elder Forest was the first (and best) Airex I attended and also the busiest as half the Coningsby Phantoms (from 29 + 64 Sqns.) were based there as I think it's runway was being resurfaced. The other half were @ Waddo. That shot of the F-104G was the first pic I ever had published (in Air Pictorial). There was a huge slice of luck involved as Wattisham, where all the Press were assembled, was fog bound and hence unable to receive any foreign visitors so there was a dearth of pics of the attackers.

That F104G 24+05 only appeared on the first day (6/3) Jbg33 sent different jets for the remaining days of the exercise.
I was over at Waddington watching the Danish F-16s and Phantoms detached from Coningsby recover. There was a big interruption when "bang - bang" the crew of XT891:Z ejected on finals with a nose wheel steering failure.They landed safely on the grass and the aircraft, trimmed with throttles shut landed perfectly and rolled to a standstill !
Hence 7 of the remaining Phantoms in the queue diverted into Binbrook as you witnessed