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The role of the F-35 Lightning for the United Kingdom...

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Shippo
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The role of the F-35 Lightning for the United Kingdom...

Post by Shippo » Tue May 16, 2017 11:52 am

When the English Electric Lightning was introduced into Royal Air Force service, pilots were delighted with the new fighter and had no problems converting from lower performance aircraft such as the Hawker Hunter. However, ground crew were not as happy. The Lightning was a much more complex beast than previous aircraft, and maintainer training and RAF engineering support had not caught up with this fact. In later years this situation was eventually rectified. Unfortunately the initial bad impressions made a big impact on the Air Staff, who then advised the government not to allow any further spending on Lightning development. The Lightning was also viewed as little more than a stop-gap until the expected advances in surface-to-air missiles led to manned fighters becoming completely obsolete.
After thirteen years of service, the RAF decided that the Phantom would take over the primary air defence role. This was due to a combination of factors but was no reflection on the Lightning's performance. The Lightning was still a formidable opponent; even high-flying U-2 pilots became accustomed to being caught by Lightnings! Lightnings would be kept on in limited numbers, however, and a programme of modifications was carried out to strengthen them for the extra years of flying that lay ahead.
By 1986, the Lightning's days were definitely numbered and the RAF had announced their final retirement which was due to in 1988. In June 1988 the last Lightning in RAF service took off for the final time and were last seen in formation at RAF Binbrook during their last airshow.
The F-35 Lightning aircraft is a single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed for many missions with advanced, integrated sensors built into every aircraft. Missions that were traditionally performed by small numbers of specialized aircraft, such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and electronic attack missions can now be executed by a F-35 aircraft bringing new capabilities to many allied forces.
This high technical aircraft is developed, produced, and supported by an international team of leading aerospace companies. As the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin continues its 100-year history of aircraft research and design with the F-35 Lightning II.
Retired Air Marshal Peter Ruddock is currently Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1974 and retired from active duties in 2011. Peter during his career in the RAF has flown 37 different types of aircraft and has been deployed around the world, both operationally and on exercises.
He has even flown the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight WW2 fighters when he was Station Commander at RAF Coningsby and was Honorary President of Friends of Metheringham Airfield while stationed there. An interesting factor is that he spent 5 years working for British Intelligence and also had a role as Air Secretary leading the team charged with delivering the Typhoon to Saudi Arabia.
Air Marshall Ruddock is well acquainted with the role of this new aircraft. The United Kingdom is expected to have 24 frontline F-35 aircraft by 2023. To find out more Peter has been invited to speak about this aircraft under the title F-35:

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHTNING.

His illustrated talk will be held in the WW2 gymnasium now called the PETER SCOLEY HALL on Wednesday, 24th May 2017 beginning at 7.30pm
Admission is free to members of Friends of Metheringham Airfield and 106 Squadron; non-members £5.00 to include refreshments


For further details telephone 0748 694 7095

John Shipton
Friends of Metheringham Airfield
Lincoln
Wartime home to 106 Squadron

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plmc135
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Re: The role of the F-35 Lightning for the United Kingdom...

Post by plmc135 » Tue May 16, 2017 12:26 pm

Shouldn't this be posted under the Marham sub section of the East Anglia forum. We are not expecting F-35's to be based in Lincs and Rutland.

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markranger
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Re: The role of the F-35 Lightning for the United Kingdom...

Post by markranger » Tue May 16, 2017 1:01 pm

Done. :thumb:
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Re: The role of the F-35 Lightning for the United Kingdom...

Post by 350biker » Tue May 16, 2017 1:02 pm

This is a flyer for a talk occurring, as it states, at the former RAF Metheringham which is most certainly in Lincolnshire. As a member of FOMA I have to say they do a cracking job of arranging talks on a wide range of subjects. Everyone is welcome as stated by Shippo. Is posted under Marham in case anyone from down there is interested in attending.
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markranger
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Re: The role of the F-35 Lightning for the United Kingdom...

Post by markranger » Tue May 16, 2017 1:05 pm

Ok :D ,back we go to Lincs. :whistle: :Oops:
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