Aviation_News_2017-03

operated a few F.3s and T.5s but this grew to a

 eet of four single-seaters and a similar number

of trainers. The LTF also operated a single F.6

as a dedicated target aircraft. Its gun pack was

replaced by an extra fuel tank and the  tting of a

Luneburg lens in the Red Top missile head gave

the aircraft a bigger radar return to allow students

a better chance of seeing the target at long range.

The F.6 chosen was normally an airframe that

was running out of fatigue life but still had lots of

airframe hours prior to its next major service.

The LTF was tantalisingly close to full squadron

strength but with just two operational squadrons

to assist its war role was simply to augment the

existing squadrons with additional support in the

form of airframes, groundcrew and pilots.

Part of the LTF’s remit was to provide the solo

aerobatic display aircraft, thereby reducing the

burden on frontline squadrons. Sadly, the only two

aircraft LTF aircraft lost during its 12-year period

occurred during aerobatic displays or workups –

one fatally.

With just 18 months of Lightning service to

run, the LTF was  nally disbanded on April 1,

1987, its aircraft either scrapped or passed on

to the resident squadrons. With the closure of

the LTF, there was now no chance of any  nal

reprieve for the Lightning force or any last-

minute extensions.

highlighting the pitfalls of handling a highly

swept-wing supersonic aircraft with an

alarming ability to drink fuel. Often carried

out within visual range of the air eld, the

air combat phase was always ‘like versus

like’ – Lightning versus Lightning – and only

ever one versus one. The second phase

of the course culminated in an ‘OPEVAL’,

an operational evaluation of the student’s

ability. Normally this would involve a

scramble in a T.5 (complete with instructor

in the right seat), to intercept an unknown

target and either engage or identify the

target.

With the student having passed the LTF

course they would be justi ably proud, but

the reality is he’s only just scratched the

surface. With around 50 to 60 sorties under

his ‘g-suit’ and a total of 45 hours  ying in

the six-month period, the student was sent

to his operational squadron. Still to learn is

night supersonic intercepts, ECM (electronic

counter measures), gunnery and air-to-air

refuelling, as well as more demanding visual

identi cation of targets – such as the target

aircraft having its lights off at night. A half-

year of intensive training will see him  t to

hold a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) role with

another six months before he is declared

fully operational on the Lightning.

LIGHTNING LESSONS

During my time on the LTF, I experienced

pretty much the full gamut of Lightning

lessons. In Phase 1 of the course I had a

reheat  re, which fortunately burnt itself out

and I was able to land safely, albeit with no

chute as the cabling had burnt through. I

had a landing in a 30kts crosswind that

burst both my main wheel tyres, a bumpy

ride indeed. I learnt from that day never to

accept an aircraft with badly worn tyres. On

the radar phase I seemed to lose my jinx,

but used up my fair share of experience

‘joker’ cards trying to explain to instructors

how I managed to perform the perfect

intercept via all the wrong methods – 800

hours of operating a Phantom radar had

to pay some dividends! The LTF only

scratched the surface in readiness for life

on an operational squadron, but it left you in

no doubt the path would not be easy. The

immediate task was to prepare a student

pilot for the peacetime role of QRA – the

ability to identify, shadow or engage a target

in the run up to hostilities. The LTF did all

this and more...

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 49

Part of the LTF’s remit was to provide the solo

The Lightning was retired from RAF service in 1988.

Above: The LTF badge worn by the  rst Lightning to be assigned to the new training unit.

Above right: When Lightning pilot training began at RAF Binbrook, 11 Sqn formed ‘C’ Flight

speci cally to undertake this task. However, it later became a standalone unit and adopted the

name Lightning Training Flight.

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