Lightning

The English Electric Lightning was a British supersonic fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, remembered for its great speed and natural metal exterior. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. Renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor, RAF pilots described it as "being saddled to a skyrocket". English Electric was later incorporated into the British Aircraft Corporation, later marks being developed and produced as the BAC Lightning.

Historic Airshow presents ten highlights from 6 of the UK's premier events in 190 minute feast of spectacular action spanning the whole spectrum and history of powered flight from priceless biplane great to retired military jets.

The all action style will bring hours of pleasure to any aircraft enthusiast.

Narrated by Jerry Mead and Sean Maffett.

In March 1993 the last airworthy Vulcan XH558 was retired to Bruntingthorpe joining a brace of Lightnings from the same era. Though these aircraft are unable to fly, the prospect of simply hearing them start up and make high speed runs was enough to attract a huge crowd

The airfield, once the home of the giant B47 Stratojet bombers again echoed to the sound of "Big Thunder".

Part 1

Vulcan, Lightning, Jet Provost, Vampire, Orion, Nimrod, Hawk, Tornado, Jaguar, Harrier, Buccaneer

Here it is again - Britain's Greatest Air Show - Farnborough! Every two years the premier aerospace manufacturers of the world gather to display the very latest in their technological achievements - the most exciting being tested in the air before upwards of 100,000 spectators.

This video concentrates only on the flying everyone wants to see. No interviews and no music intrude on the action.

Aviation Action's cameras attended 19 events in 1994 and we draw on the very best material in this thrilling "all action" video. Historic Airshow spans the whole spectrum of aviation, Shuttleworth's vintage gems, a Vickers Vimy biplane bomber departing on its historic flight to Australia contrasts with the airshow debuts of several ex-military jets now operated privately.Draken, Canberra, MiG 15 and prototype Jet Provost. These join the Meteor, Sabre, Hunters and Lightning T5 are new 'ground runners'.

"Woodford Airshow is one of the best in the UK. It is organised by the Royal Airforces Association and hosted by British Aerospace who build the ATP airliner at Woodford. BAe types therefore feature but so do the Vulcan and Lancaster, with Woodford being the site of the former AVRO company. Other historic types included locally owned and flown Cirrus Moth, BAe's Mosquito and a Lightning F6 (for static display) on a rare outing from BAe Warton. This years stars though were heavy metal.

The annual Mildenhall Air fete is the UK showcase for modern American might and muscle and this bumper length video features the most dramatic action from the 1988 to 1995 shows.

American types dominate particularly the 'heavies' for which "The Hall" is so famous but rare and spectacular contributors from a dozen other air forces are included too.

Airshow aficionados have long held Woodford's June show in great regard for both the variety and the rarity of the display items assembled. For hundreds and thousands though, it's been the Vulcan, the Lancaster and, recently, the Flankers of the Russian Test Pilots that have attracted them to Avro's famous historic site near Manchester.

A huge collection of archive movies, stills and video from the late 60's to the final days at Binbrook. Includes IAT 1983 at Greenham Common and Binbrook '87 airshows plus 16 ship formations and a crash landing at RAF Coltishall in the 60's.

This video was produced on an amateur basis before Aviation Action began commercially. It contains much interesting footage but editing etc. is less polished than recent titles.

Warbird Action

Warbird Action features mostly warbirds including the very rare Sunderland flying boat but also a spirited display by an RAF Canberra.

And...

Lightning - A Tribute

The first hour of Volume 5