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Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 19 Jun 2008, 17:10
by Garry Russell
In the words of the man himself

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5iKFYaXDivs


Garry

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 19 Jun 2008, 17:57
by FlyTexas
Holy smokes! :o An amazing story. Thanks for the link, Garry.

Brian

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 19 Jun 2008, 18:42
by petermcleland
I remember that happening...We were all absolutely amazed that he survived...A pretty cool performance!

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 19 Jun 2008, 20:08
by Paul K
I remember reading about it many years ago; its one of those things you just couldn't dream up. I read later that he suffered what might be described as severe post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident, but he sounded pretty chipper on the Youtube clip.

BTW Does anyone know if thats the reason why Duxford has his Lightning , or is it just coincidence ?

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 19 Jun 2008, 20:18
by FlyTexas
Paul K wrote:BTW Does anyone know if thats the reason why Duxford has his Lightning , or is it just coincidence ?
Maybe Duxford was the only place with the know-how to remove that pesky urine smell from the Lightning after Taffy's little adventure. :lol:

Brian

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 19 Jun 2008, 20:36
by jonesey2k
Blimey! Quite an experience!

It must be something else to resist the temptation to pull back on the stick on fast taxi runs today :)

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 20 Jun 2008, 12:28
by Nigel H-J
Had also read of this some time ago and had to smile when it was reported that air traffic control had warned everyone in the circuit to run for cover!!

It never ceases to amaze me that he got it down safely considering that he only had minimal flying experience as a P2.

Nigel.

Re: Lightning XM135 inadvertant flight by W/Cdr "Taffy" Holden

Posted: 20 Jun 2008, 13:07
by Garry Russell
I think the big factor here was he had the presence of mind to abort his first landing attempts and all the time was getting a little more feel and experience.

To think like this under such pressure is remarkable and no doubt saved his life.

Garry