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RAF Binbrook :: Lightning Preservation Group

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Updated: 27 Mar 05

RAF Binbrook was home to the English Electric Lightning. A squadron was on 24-hour QRA (Alert) at RAF Binbrook for many years in the all-British built fighter when the Lightning was the mainstay of British air defence from 1962 to 1988.

Two RAF Binbrook Lightning have been restored by the Lightning Preservation Group which is based at the former RAF Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire. The aircraft are XR728 (tailcoded 'JS') acquired in Jun 1988 from Binbrook and XS904 (tailcoded 'BQ') acquired in Jan 1993 from British Aerospace Warton where it had an extended flying life. Both aircraft flew in.

The Lightning Preservation Group has also acquired the former RAF Wattisham QRA Sheds. These, together with the Group's two ex-Binbrook Lightnings, are at Bruntingthorpe. In Mar 2005, reconstruction of the QRA sheds has just begun but further donations are required to complete the project for all to enjoy.

Unfortunately the aircraft could not be housed permenently at their operational home base, Binbrook, to recreate of the RAF's front line but Bruntingthorpe, although never home to Lightnings, will give the Group the opportunity to to bring it alive as a living museum and memorial to this most outstanding of aircraft.

Both Lightning are 'live' and fast taxied regularly on Bruntingthorpe's 2-mile runway with afterburners lit and nose wheels off!

Open Days are held normally three times per annum.

Visit the Lightning Preservation Group website for more details: www.lightnings.org.uk

External links:

Lightning Preservation Group :: Lightning Association :: Lightning at Bomber County Aviation Museum