East Midlands Aeropark

[Tweek]

Is there any exception for this particular Lightning, then?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1121879/L/

[AlexP]

Thanks for posting your photos of the East Midlands Aero Park. Is it worth the trip would you say?

Although living in Lincolnshire it’s probably not much more that and hour away I always been hesitant to make the journey as it’s a relatively small collection.

That said I could always combine it with a bit of plane spotting at East Midland Airport or even with a visit to the near by Donington Grand Prix Collection. Hmmm . . I think I’ve just talked my self into a trip in the not too distant future. :roll:

Regarding the reason Lightnings are displayed in Saudi colours, as Chris touched upon it’s to do with the use of the Saudi flag. The Americans recently got into bother about the flag after giving out footballs which had the Saudi Flag on (along all of the flags of those competing in the world cup):
http://www.cbfsim.org/cbfsim/cbfsBB/vie ... &sk=t&sd=a
A nice idea, poorly executed. Ho Hum. :-(

As for the Lightning at the Midland Air Museum, my understanding is that the MAM sort permission from Saudi to display their Lightning in its Saudi colours. Even so it doesn’t feature the Saudi flag on the tail as it would have done in its service life: http://www.pbase.com/fanjetuk/image/75723096
Perhaps not displaying the flag may have been part of the conditions given by the Saudis to allow it to be displayed.

Alex

[Garry Russell]

I also just read that the Lightning in Saudi colours is the only airraft to be displayed in the UK in Saudi colours.

That seems to support a special permission.

As far as I know all reverted back to RAF serials etc to return to the UK.

Garry

[d0mokun]

Yeah.. NEMA isn't exactly a half-an-hour drive away anymore! Got more flyers at my local museum though. Even got a Dove.. Devon.. something. One of them anyway.

It's a shame about the Saudi colours, but thanks for the info Chris. I always liked the Saudi scheme.

KR
Dan.

[Tweek]

Thanks for posting your photos of the East Midlands Aero Park. Is it worth the trip would you say?

Although living in Lincolnshire it’s probably not much more that and hour away I always been hesitant to make the journey as it’s a relatively small collection.

That said I could always combine it with a bit of plane spotting at East Midland Airport or even with a visit to the near by Donington Grand Prix Collection. Hmmm . . I think I’ve just talked my self into a trip in the not too distant future. :roll:

If you can stand all those modern, cheap fare airlines, then I guess it's worth the trip.

At least it allowed me a little practice with my photography... |-)

Your view from the Aeropark:


Your view from the 27 end:

[Trev Clark]

I love all the details on the Wessex shot

Me too, found myself mentally doing a 'before flight' walkaround! Re the Saudi business, the Tangmere Lightning is ex-Saudi and the 'critical' area seems to be the arabic script part of the markings. As you can see, the Midand museum have the airforce inscription in English, which was different to when the aircraft was in service.