Air International 2007-12
Talkback
English Electric Lightning F.6 XS928 made its first flight at the British Aircraft Corporation airfield at Salmesbury, Lancashire, on February 28,1967, in the hands of BAC Military Aircraft's chief test pilot Roland Beamont. After service with 11, 74, 23, 56, 5, and 11 Squadrons, it was retired from the RAF when the Lightning squadrons disbanded at the end of 1987. The following year it was delivered to Warton for use in the Tornado Air Defence Variant Foxhunter radar trials. It made its last flight on March 31, 1992, and was bought by Barry Pover, who subsequently donated it to BAE Systems on the understanding that it would be placed on static display. Thanks to the North West Heritage Group and BAE Systems, his wish was carried out and XS928 is now resplendent in its former glory 'on show’, appropriately enough next to the flight test offices at Warton airfield.
C-32A 99-0004 of the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Airlift Wing is seen sporting winglets that were added to the C-32 fleet this year. Manufactured by Aviation Partners, blended winglets reportedly increase the maximum range and give fuel efficiency savings equivalent to between 125,000 and 250,000 Imp gal per aircraft per year.