Armscor2006-08-10 08:52:38
Britains most famous jet, the last of the Lightings flies...in Cape Town!
After a four year complete restoration, the last flyable English Electric Lightning supersonic interceptor, tail number XP 693, took to the skies at Cape Town International Airport, South Africa in the capable hands of ex Eurofighter test pilot, Keith Hartley at 14h03 9 August 2006.
Arguably Britains greatest jet fighter, XP 693 is one of four English Electric Lightning's, owned and operated by Thunder City, the worlds' largest civilian operator of ex military fighters, and the only Lightning's still flying in the world today.
XP 693 last flew in December 1992 when it was delivered to a UK preservation group, the Lightning Flying Club, based in Exeter, United Kingdom, also flown by Keith Hartley, making the two consecutive log book entries almost 14 years apart.
The four Lightning's based at Thunder City were acquired by Thunder City CEO, South African, Mike Beachy Head in 1997 and shipped in parts to Cape Town, South Africa where extensive rebuilding was undertaken.
After a one hour and four minute flight the latest addition to the flying fleet touched down safely.
Said an elated Hartley after the flight, "The aircraft is a honey. It is almost impossible to believe that after being shipped halfway around the world and completely rebuilt she feels as good as she always did. It is an absolute tribute to Mike and his whole team of engineers who did the rebuild."
Thunder City also owns and operates the only three flying British Aerospace Buccaneer low level strike attack aircraft, seven Hawker Hunter fighters and a Puma helicopter, bringing the fleet total to 15 aircraft.
It is the only western world operation offering supersonic jet flights to the public.
After a four year complete restoration, the last flyable English Electric Lightning supersonic interceptor, tail number XP 693, took to the skies at Cape Town International Airport, South Africa in the capable hands of ex Eurofighter test pilot, Keith Hartley at 14h03 9 August 2006.
Arguably Britains greatest jet fighter, XP 693 is one of four English Electric Lightning's, owned and operated by Thunder City, the worlds' largest civilian operator of ex military fighters, and the only Lightning's still flying in the world today.
XP 693 last flew in December 1992 when it was delivered to a UK preservation group, the Lightning Flying Club, based in Exeter, United Kingdom, also flown by Keith Hartley, making the two consecutive log book entries almost 14 years apart.
The four Lightning's based at Thunder City were acquired by Thunder City CEO, South African, Mike Beachy Head in 1997 and shipped in parts to Cape Town, South Africa where extensive rebuilding was undertaken.
After a one hour and four minute flight the latest addition to the flying fleet touched down safely.
Said an elated Hartley after the flight, "The aircraft is a honey. It is almost impossible to believe that after being shipped halfway around the world and completely rebuilt she feels as good as she always did. It is an absolute tribute to Mike and his whole team of engineers who did the rebuild."
Thunder City also owns and operates the only three flying British Aerospace Buccaneer low level strike attack aircraft, seven Hawker Hunter fighters and a Puma helicopter, bringing the fleet total to 15 aircraft.
It is the only western world operation offering supersonic jet flights to the public.
For more information contact:
Cr Delmas And Nossob Drives
370 Nossob Street, Erasmuskloof X4
Private Bag X337
PRETORIA
1
South Africa
Tel: 124282121
Fax: 123478016
