Lightning F6 No.11 Sqn RAF XS904 BQ Last show 1:48
English Electric Lightning F6 No.11 Sqn RAF Binbrook XS904 BQ Last Lightning show 1987 1:48
February 2021 Announcement, June Release Corgi2021
1:48 scale English Electric Lightning diecast metal model, with painted authentic markings, pilot, armament, and display stand. Wingspan: 22 cm / 8.66 in.
For an aircraft which instilled immense national pride in so many people over such a long period, it is no wonder that the English Electric Lightning still commands a significant position in the hearts of the UK aviation enthusiast, with two very special aeroplanes being singled out for special attention. Until recently, two of the aircraft lovingly maintained by the Lightning Preservation Group regularly blasted down the runway at Bruntingthorpe airfield, in scenes reminiscent of a Cold War RAF fighter station and always drawing large crowds for these events. Lightning F.6 XS904 has been in the care of the LPG since she was delivered to the airfield on 21st January 1993, a historic occasion which witnessed the final military flight of an English Electric Lightning fighter. Flying from the British Aerospace factory airfield site at Warton in formation with a Panavia Tornado F.3 fighter, the pair made a spirited high speed pass along the length of the runway at Bruntingthorpe on their arrival, before the Deputy Chief Test Pilot at BAe Warton, Peter Orme, brought this magnificent supersonic aircraft in for her final landing at her new home. During a 20 year RAF career, XS904 served with Nos 5 and 11 Squadrons and also has the distinction of being one of the nine Lightnings which took part in a spectacular 9 ship formation during the ‘Last Lightning show’ at RAF Binbrook on 22nd August 1987. In what was certain to be a sombre occasion, thousands of British aviation enthusiasts headed for the Lincolnshire Wolds and RAF Binbrook on Saturday 22nd August 1987 for their annual Airshow, a show which marked the swansong of one of the British aviation industry’s proudest achievements. With the impending retirement of Britain’s first supersonic fighter now looming large, this event was billed as ‘’The last Lightning show’ and neither the enthusiast nor the base personnel at Binbrook were going to let this occasion pass without putting on a real show. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the day of the show was horrendous and as is often the case in this country, it proved to be just as bad as everyone feared. Nevertheless, this Cold War aviation icon had to be suitably honoured and the last pilots to fly the RAF Lightning were in no mood to let a little rain alter their plans. In one final Lightning base scramble, all serviceable Lightnings blasted into the air one after the other, with the first aircraft returning seconds later at 90 degrees to the runway, passing overhead the next aircraft taking off, before pulling in a steep climb in full reheat - they don’t make shows like this anymore! The undoubted highlight of the day would be a series of beautifully flown formation passes performed by nine Lightnings, in what proved to be a fitting tribute to the Royal Air Force career of this supersonic sensation.
Corgi presents the Aviation Archive, a range of high quality detailed die-cast model aircraft. Each model aircraft comes complete with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity detailing the significant history of each aircraft. Aviation Archive is a collectable series of aircraft spanning 100 years of military aerial warfare.
The collection includes biplanes, fighters, bombers, transports, jets and helicopters from various theatres of war across the world. Each aircraft comes with a display stand and optional parts enabling the model to be posed either in flight or stationary with the undercarriage down. Most are made in 1:72 scale with exceptions in 1:32, 1:48 and 1:144 scales.
- Pre-painted Diecast Metal Model
- True to Scale
- Professionally painted with attention to detail
- Collectors item: (Not suitable for children under 14)
While we make every effort to maintain our online inventory, If this item is not available to order online, it is likely out of stock. We would be happy to order it in for you, or confirm availability of the item. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call 416-674-5959.
