(Image: XS420.com, reproduced with permission)
In 2011 Urban Ghosts reported the final demise of English Electric Lightning XN728, which was scrapped after almost three decades of neglect in a Nottinghamshire yard. The jet, a rare F.2A variant of the Lightning, had become an iconic landmark by the A1 road at Balderton near Newark, garnering something akin to a cult following throughout its journey from decoy to dereliction. Despite many attempts over the years by museums and individuals to save the ailing airframe, it sadly wasn’t to be. But thankfully one enthusiast managed to rescue the gutted cockpit section before its metal could be recycled. As these images from XS420.com show, it’s now in the early stages of a long-term restoration.
(Image: XS420.com, reproduced with permission)
Lightning XN728 was built as an F.2 and later upgraded to F.2A standard, with the addition of heavier, kinked wings, a squared-off fin top and large ventral fuel tank.
The modifications, which brought it into line with the RAF’s definitive F.6 variant, enabled XN728 to fly combat air patrols along the tense East German border until its retirement in the late 1970s.
In 1977 the Lightning, along with squadron mate XN774, was flown to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire for decoy duties. But unlike 774, which later perished on Coningsby’s fire dump, 728 was sold in 1983 to A1 Commercial Vehicles at Balderton, seemingly granted a new lease of life.
(Image: Trevor Bashford, reproduced with permission)
Over the years, however, the yard changed hands and fell derelict on more than one occasion. The Lightning endured but ultimately became abandoned. Heavily vandalised, anything that could be stolen was. As the old fighter’s centre of gravity shifted, it tipped backward onto its tail, in an undignified yet somehow proud takeoff pose.
Despite many attempts over the years to save the airframe, the owners refused to part with it. In a move that Lightning enthusiasts had dreaded for a long time, the yard was sold once again in 2011 and the bulldozers finally moved in, signalling the end of an era for this A1 landmark.
(Image: XS420.com, reproduced with permission)
The restoration of XN728′s cockpit promises an exciting and challenging project, and we’re pleased to report that the aircraft – the part that’s left, at least – is finally in safe hands.
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