The Lightning Preservation Group (LPG) at Bruntingthorpe possesses and maintains in taxiable condition 2 x Lightning F6s at Bruntingthorpe housed in a 'Q" Shed obtained from RAF Wattisham. The F6s often do live runs down the runway and simulated QRA Scrambles. For the first time, however, on Sunday 15 Ju, a Scramble was conducted with an explanatory commentary on the public address system linked into the UHF of the aircraft.
As an ex-Buchan Master Controller it was suggested that I might do the commentary. I am volunteer Guide with the co-located Cold War Jets Museum. Naturally, I agreed and, with helpful input from other members of the team, worked up a script. I am pleased to say, our first outing with this format was very well received by the crowd of a few hundreds of enthusiasts. For those who are interested you can access a short video of part of it on YouTube. Google 'Bruntingthorpe QRA' and click on 'QRA Day at Bruntingthorpe' and then select the video at VX927.
I have attached a copy of the complete commentary script. It does not include some ad-libby between the pilot, John Ward, and myself when all was quiet with the F6 turning around at the far end of the long runway. This simulated the intercept, reporting and RTB. I am told this added very much to the realism for the crowd.
There are numerous events at Bruntingthorpe with aircraft, Hunter, Victor Tanker, Buccaneers, Canberra, Nimrod, Comet, Jet Provosts, Sea Vixen and others doing fast taxi and simulated take off runs but not all include full QRA simulations. I suggest you google Bruntingthorpe LPG and Cold War jets for info.
I hope this event goes some way in support of the FCA objective of raising the profile of the work of the Air Defence System during the Cold War decades and of the Branch.
In addition to all that, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Regards to all
Dave Lowry
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