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Lightnings at Crash Gate 3, Binbrook

by stcaamekid

Every airfield has its favoured locations for photographers - Crash Gate 3, and RWY 21 approach were Binbrook's best if outside the fence. Now all returned to North Lincolnshire crop growing - thanks to all who enabled these beasts to keep flying so long.

79 photos · 447 views
Lightning F.6 XS925 "BD" approaches Crash Gate 3, Binbrook, April 1987.
English Electric Lightning T.5 XS459 "DW" from the Lightning Training Flight, taxies out for a runway 21 departure from Binbrook for the first part of an Instrument Rating check, May 1986
Lightning F.6 XS897 AC at Binbrook, 1987
BAC Lightning F.6 XS922 "AF" at Binbrook, April 1987. The engine test facility on the North side of the airfield is visible behind the pitot tube.
Lightning F.6 XR727 "AB" taxis towards Binbrook's Crash Gate 3, 13th April 1987
Lightning F.6 XS899 taxis past crash Gate 3 at Binbrook, April 1988.
Lightning XS456 "DX" from the LTF, Binbrook, 13th April 1987
"Clachy" in his Lightning F.6 XR724 'AE' from 5 Sqn, April 1987.
Lightning F.6 XR724 'AE' at Binbrook seen taxiing towards Crash Gate 3, 13th April 1987
Lightning F.3 XR716 'DE' approaches Crash Gate 3 at Binbrook, 13th April, 1987
Lightning T.5 XS456 'DX' passes Crash Gate 3, Binbrook, during the final week of LTF operations, April 1987
Playtime ! An F-16A Fighting Falcon from KLu 323 Sqn passes a packed Crash Gate 3 at Binbrook prior to some aerial high jinx with Lightning F.6 XR773 coded BR, September 1987.
A 323 Sqn pilot waves prior to departing Binbrook on runway 21 during exchange with locally based 11 Sqn Lightnings, September 1987.
F-16A Fighting Falcon J-231 from 323 Sqn awaits clearance to enter runway 21 at Binbrook, September 1987.
Lightning F.6 XR773 taxis onto runway 21 at Binbrook, during exchange with 323 Sqn F-16As, September 1987.
Lightning F.6 XR754 taxis past Crash Gate 3 before departing Binbrook on runway 21, Spring 1987.
Lightning F.6 XR728 JS from 5 Sqn taxies in at Binbrook, September 1987
"Sooty" and Lightning F.6 XS929 BG returns to 11 Sqn flight line at Binbrook, April 1988.
Grinner Smith passes Binbrook's Crash Gate 3 in Lightning F.6 XS901 "AH" still in 5 Sqn markings, but with 11 Sqn during their final months of BAC Lightning operation, April 1988
English Electric Lightning F.3 XR716 DE passes Crash Gate 3 at Binbrook, 13th April 1987.
BAC Lightning F.6 XS927 "BB" passes crash gate 3, Binbrook, May 1986.
BAC Lightning F.6 XR726 "BE" taxies past Binbrook's Crash Gate 3, May 1986.
English Electric Lightning F.6s XR771 'AN' and XS936 'AS' tactical departure from Binbrook, September 1987.
Lightning F.6 XR728 JS with 5 Sqn jockey Smudge Smith in charge, unashamedly donning what became the unacceptable to the powers that be "Single Seat Air Defence" patch, waves to the congregation at crash gate 3, Binbrook.
Possibly the final taxiing photograph of English Electric Lightning F.6 XR769 at Binbrook; less than 60 minutes later, '769 was safely abandoned over the North Sea after a number 1 engine bay fire, April 1988.