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Articles
and Extracts | The
LPG Story | Message
& Forum Boards
RICHARD NORRIS
President of the Lightning Preservation Group
I think most Lightning addicts would agree that two Mk.6's on live QRA (Quick
Reaction Alert) was the ultimate spectacle from the enthusiasts' viewpoint.
The 'Q-Shed' was always a special place to visit when "live" and one
could sense the adrenaline in the atmosphere. I assume that for many pilots
and groundcrew a 'Q' launch was a special experience, the culmination of many
years of training to perfect a quick and efficient live interception, although
the realist in me knows that the hours of waiting must have been exceptionally
boring; made worse for the pilots in that too many mugs of tea could not be
downed due to the unknown flight time, coupled with the lack of an in-flight
portaloo (although I understand that emergency receptacles were carried). My
all-too-rare visits to the Binbrook Q-Shed certainly left a deep impression
on me and from the inception of the Lightning Preservation Group (LPG) in the
summer of 1987, the idea of preserving a Lightning in a Q-Shed was brought up
in conversation from time-to-time (usually by me). Other members would politely
discuss this 'ultimate museum' but we would quickly dismiss the idea as totally
unrealistic.
The demise of front-line Lightning operations at Binbrook in April 1988 resulted in the journey from Bedfordshire to Lincolnshire becoming just a happy memory, as was the view from Crash Gate 2 of the green corrugate-clad building. Some four years later, on Saturday 4th July 1992, I visited RAF Wattisham as XP693 was to make her last-ever visit for a 56 Squadron Families day, prior to 56's disbandment and the RAF relinquishing the station. Departure of 693 to Warton was on the Monday, which was a warm summer's day with a near clear blue sky. Peter Gordon?Johnson was the pilot and the departure was memorable. XP693 was first to take-off, followed by a 56 Squadron Phantom and a Tornado F3; the three-ship formation overflew the airfield twice before departing for some air to air photography.
Again, whilst this event in itself was totally absorbing, I could not help but wonder what would be the fate of Wattisham's Q-Shed after the RAF had vacated the airfield? LPG member Mick Cameron, who was then based at Wattisham, told me that after the RAF's departure the Army Air Corps would be moving to the airfield and he added that it looked unlikely that the Army would have a use for the building.
Very interesting......an initial approach was made to Captain (now Major) J Ward, Quartermaster of 3 Regiment, AAC, who was very sympathetic when I explained that the LPG wished to acquire the Q-Shed. He explained that it was planned to demolish the building and replace it with a Search and Rescue Hangar. The first complication, however, was that although the Army was responsible for the airfield, the demolition and construction of the new building was still to be the responsibility of the RAF. Despite this, it was suggested that I might wish to visit Wattisham in order to have a detailed look at the building.
I must admit I thought our enquiry was a bit of a long shot, but determination had to be the order of the day. The building appeared to be in remarkably good condition and the main doors had been replaced quite recently. Our initial approach to the Army was at the end of July, and it was the second week of September before an official reply to our enquiry was received from Strike Command. Oh dear! Or words to that effect......we were informed that the demolition and construction programme was too far advanced to amend the plans. Whilst I totally understood the RAF's position it was one that I could not accept if the building were to be saved.
A certain Lightning F.Mk.6 resides at Bruntingthorpe Airfield tailcoded 'JS'. Whilst the aircraft had held up well since its arrival in June 1988 signs of deterioration were beginning to show in its reliability, especially with engine starting. A roof over its head would help remedy the situation. Previous 'owner' Air Commodore John Spencer was unable to "pull strings", but would ensure that when the tender was awarded for demolition of the Q-Shed that we should be able to contact the successful tenderer and negotiate prices and terms direct. At the end of November we were informed that Trafalgar House Construction would be handling Q-Shed demolition and construction of the Search and Rescue Hangar, and so we presented our objective of saving the building to the company. They listened with interest, informing us that our proposal would be discussed at their next board meeting and that an answer to our request and a quotation would be forthcoming by the middle of December.
Deep joy! Not only were Trafalgar House prepared to donate the building to the LPG, as they understood its historic importance, but their sub?contractors Gale Construction would dismantle the building at no charge to the Group! Pure elation, Cloud Nine, etc., etc. The Group would, however, have to cover a percentage of the loading costs and the total carriage costs from Wattisham to Bruntingthorpe which, when all is said and done, was the very least we could expect. We felt, and still feel, very privileged to have received such generous treatment.
Question: How many trailers do you think we'll need to move the building? Answer: One bloody big 'un about 110 x 70ft. This was the type of question I was asking Trafalgar House and Gale Construction and, seriously, they estimated about 5 trailers should do the job. In the event we needed one more to take the large beams from which the main doors hang, each measuring some 55ft and requiring an 'extender trailer'. You live and learn. At one stage it was thought that the beams were one piece (110ft) and police escorts were being mentioned which resulted in an immediate panic attack; my solution was, 'You've got acetylene torches so put them to good use'. Luckily we did not need to, and Nev Martin was on hand and knew just the right company to handle the transport. His help was invaluable as always. The Walton family who own Bruntingthorpe Airfield and latterly, of course, the Vulcan and a Victor tanker, have a common objective and love of aircraft preservation and have supported the LPG from day one. In the medium term a museum is planned and the QRA Shed will be an important part of this venture.
As a family the Waltons possess a variety of skills, which the LPG all too frequently have to call on as a favour. John Walton has a great deal more than my very limited knowledge of buildings and did not hesitate to join Jim Featherby and myself on our recce to Wattisham. We were greeted by Peter Booth and Peter Long of Trafalgar House and the sub?contractor, Brian Gale of Gale Construction, was also present as his company would be carrying out the actual dismantling.
Work would start almost immediately with the removal of some of the cladding during the week commencing 20th December. A small team from the LPG would visit Wattisham during the Christmas break to identify and mark the main steelwork so that the task of reconstruction would hopefully be made easier. The first two of the six trailers required arrived at Wattisham prior to Christmas which would allow loading to take place without double handling. The schedule drawn up allowed just two weeks of January for completion of the job. The weather was less than kind and Wattisham was hit with snow in early January, which inevitably delayed progress, but an improvement in conditions resulted in our trailers removing the building between the 13th and 28th January.
And so to the next problem. How do you arrange to unload six
trailer-loads of steel? Fortunately the Waltons own some heavy metal in the
form of a wide variety of "plant". Again we had to beg a favour and
were indebted for loan of a very heavy duty tractor with a substantial fork
attachment. Progress was sometimes painfully slow, as much of the steelwork
was also of the heavy duty variety, but the building is now in 'kit form' at
Bruntingthorpe. Planning permission has now been granted and fundraising has
begun in order to finance the reconstruction. It will be quite a challenge,
but the thought of two F.6's in a Q-Shed for all to savour and enjoy will drive
us on. It will be a very fitting memorial to a fine aircraft.
***********
The Lightning has always been a Man's Aircraft to maintain and has an amazing ability to draw blood on the most minor task. As our two aircraft age gracefully they are tending to require more effort and expertise and the Group is always interested to hear from engineers and electricians, Lightning or not, preferably living within commuting distance of Bruntingthorpe and with the time, knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to help maintain the aircraft in serviceable condition into the future.
