This week I've been mostly...

-Neil- · 2 Jun 2006 at 23:12

My week working on ex Military Jets.

Working on ex military jets for Delta Jets at Kemble Airfield.

They are one of the leading specialists in the UK for Hawker Hunters of which they own two two seat trainers and look after one more for a syndicate of owners. They also look after a Jet Provest and a Folland Gnat which was a former Red Arrow.

Here are some pics from this week:

Jet Provost.

On the flightline starting up.

XL577 on her pre-flight.

Sitting in the cockpit of the Hunter.

More to come...

-Neil- · 2 Jun 2006 at 23:13

The pilot performing his walkaround, the passenger is a British Airways A320 Captain who landed (4 go-arounds to practice) the Hunter and taxied it back in

Being marshalled back in.

Just after making the ejector seats safe.

Sitting in the sun for the after-flight inspection.

I'll be popping back to work there one or two days a week over the summer.

Want a 30 minute flight in the Hunter? £2,400 please.

Neil.

Flibster · 2 Jun 2006 at 23:31

Nice.

Always had a soft spot for the Hunter - still in use by some companies. Only aircraft that's certificated to do inverted spins regularly iirc.

Although...the Gnat. Lovely aircraft. Small - but perfectly formed.

Will be hopefully working at Duxford soon so will have the camera with me most days.

Hopefully off to Marham soon - Returning a ME109 and a FW190 to the air there for a very rich person - Paul Allen iirc...

Simon/~Flibster

marc_howarth · 2 Jun 2006 at 23:32

it's pics that like that remind that learning to fly must be so hard but so fun

Stelly · 2 Jun 2006 at 23:34

nice pics mate

Stelly

-Neil- · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:01

Flibster said:
Only aircraft that's certificated to do inverted spins regularly iirc.

The CAA says NO....

We're limited to +7G and -2.5G on the Hunters. The Gnat is ok for +8G and -2.5G. The Jet Provost +4.5G and -2G.

Airspeed wise the Hunter is limited to 620 knots and isn't allowed to fly through clouds, only 'holes' in the cloud layers, a rule that the pilots bend a lot

All of the above and more is becauce all the aircraft fly on a 'permit to fly'.

Neil.

WHAT!!! · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:09

-Neil- said:
Jet Provost.

Anyone eles think that tractor looks cool? lol

Some nice pictures there mate

, any of them used in airshows ?

Von Smallhausen · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:13

Excellent posts and pics. :cool:

I wanted to join the RAF from school but my eyesight wasn't good enough so I am a bit jealous that you get to tinker with real boys toys.

As for the 30 minute flight for £2400, I would say that would be worth every penny. I would love to go up in a fighter jet and my real dream is to be catapulted of a naval carrier then have a ride then land again. I doubt that would be possible though.

fatiain · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:19

Von Smallhausen said:
As for the 30 minute flight for £2400, I would say that would be worth every penny. I would love to go up in a fighter jet and my real dream is to be catapulted of a naval carrier then have a ride then land again. I doubt that would be possible though.

Seen the rides in MiGs you can get in the former USSR?

Here, to the edge of space.

Admiral Sir fatiain Sr. R.N. Rtd. says taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier was only marginally less terrifying than landing on one.

Von Smallhausen · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:23

Cheers for that Ensign fatiain.

If I had 13,500 to do that I would ....... fantastic !

fatiain · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:27

More, inc a MiG29

price on application!

Von Smallhausen · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:29

I think the MiG 29 would get my vote, it is one of the most beautiful fighters ever to grace the sky.

-Neil- · 3 Jun 2006 at 13:35

WHAT!!! said:
Anyone eles think that tractor looks cool? lol

Some nice pictures there mate , any of them used in airshows ?

The tractor looks cool but is slow as and it's tires are useless when stopping a moving aircraft

The aircraft are used in airshows around Europe, the Gnat is at Biggin Hill this weekend. The Hunters will be at the Kemble Air Day on the 18th of June.

Neil.

Nazbit · 3 Jun 2006 at 14:07

fatiain said:
Seen the rides in MiGs you can get in the former USSR?

Here, to the edge of space.

That would be amazing!!

Now who wants to lend me 13k??

ArmoVanBuuren · 3 Jun 2006 at 14:07

Would love a joyride in either of them planes, would be awesome to do the stunts that they can do.

Flibster · 3 Jun 2006 at 14:47

Nazbit said:
That would be amazing!!

Now who wants to lend me 13k??

Thunder City for me.

Supersonic in a Lightning - Hell yeah!!

Simon/~Flibster

-Neil- · 3 Jun 2006 at 21:26

Flibster said:
Thunder City for me.

Supersonic in a Lightning - Hell yeah!!

Simon/~Flibster

They are simply awesome, even after 40 years only a select few can out perform them in a climb to altitude. British fighters at their best, shame about the fuel range, 15 minutes if you're lucky on afterburners

Neil.

Flibster · 3 Jun 2006 at 21:35

-Neil- said:
They are simply awesome, even after 40 years only a select few can out perform them in a climb to altitude. British fighters at their best, shame about the fuel range, 15 minutes if you're lucky on afterburners

Neil.

The Slipper tank and the overwing tanks helped slightly on the range - but as they not intended for long range who cares.

Still one of the best fighters we've ever had...*better than the Spitfire...maybe*

Main reason we got the Lightning was due to the Canberra. A bomber that was faster than all out fighters at the time. So English Electric essentially said...well...we've got a fighter as well..

Would love to do a formation scramble takeoff in a Lightning...2ft off the gound - wheels up - full burners and vertical! :eek:

Simon/~Flibster

jezsoup · 3 Jun 2006 at 21:45

-Neil- said:
More to come...

Right so which one tells the time then?