FlyPast 01.2018

96 FLYPAST January 2018

FROM THE WORKSHOP ENGLISH ELECTRIC LIGHTNING

minimal corrosion. A number of
items needed to be replaced but
nothing too challenging to find.
A plan was developed giving
details of the type of work required
and the length of time required to
get XP745 ready for its new role:
Project Vanguard was born. Since
November 2016 the team has been
travelling down to London and
working towards getting XP745’s
airframe repairs and corrosion
areas sorted.
The cockpit was removed and it
took a great deal of effort to strip
out all the wiring that had been left,
resembling a massive bird’s nest.
The whole cockpit was cleaned and
sprayed.
A mannequin – nicknamed
‘Spanner’ – has been dressed in
period flying clothing and strapped
to the restored ejection seat and
mounted into the cockpit.
One major item that was missing
was the windscreen with only a
simple Perspex panel fitted, and
that had been letting water into the
cockpit. Eventually a windscreen
was loaned to make a pattern and

Paul Bradford of Vanguard found

a company to make a brand new

one. This was duly fitted and looks

stunning. A new canopy was sourced

and installed.

As XP745 will be displayed in

‘flying’ pose, the undercarriage has

been removed to reduce weight.

Paul also had special trestles

manufactured to ease the eventual

painting process. These will also

provide a sturdy support for the

rear and forward sections as work

progresses. All the corrosion has

been treated and some newly

manufactured panels installed.

By the end of April 2017 the first

phase had been completed. The

airframe was being prepared for

painting as this feature went to

press. The scheme has been agreed,

but it must be kept under wraps

for now – there’s no doubt it will be

worth the wait.

The assembly and mounting of

XP745 in the new Bristol facility is

still some time away. Keep an eye on

FlyPast for further updates as this

exciting project reaches a satisfying

conclusion.

English Electric Lightning F.3 XP745

Mar 18, 1964 First fl own at Warton, Lancs.

May 20, 1965 Issued to 56 ‘Firebird’ Squadron at Wattisham, Suffolk,

coded ‘J’.

Apr 20, 1970 Transferred to 29 Squadron, also at Wattisham;

coded ‘H’.

Feb 4, 1975 Ferried to 60 Maintenance Unit, Leconfi eld, Yorks;

completing a fl ying life of 1,886 hours. Spares

reclamation programme begun.

Oct 1976 Moved by road to Boulmer, Northumberland, for display

purposes; allocated the instructional airframe serial

8453M. Restored in 29 Squadron colours and unveiled

at the station on December 14, 1976.

Nov 1992 Put up for disposal. Replaced on the gate at Boulmer by

Phantom FGR.2 XV415.

Apr 1993 Moved to Vanguard at Greenford, London.

Lightning F.3 XP745 on display at Boulmer in

29 Squadron colours in 1990. ALAN CURRY

“The paint scheme has been agreed,

but it must be kept under wraps for

now – there’s no doubt it will be worth

the wait”

The Project Vanguard team in celebratory

mood. ALL AUTHOR UNLESS NOTED

Left

A view of the ejection seat mechanism.

Right

Trying out ‘Spanner’ for size in the ejection

seat and newly refurbished cockpit.