Lightning Pull by Rugby ATC Squadron

Saturday 8 July 2017 had been arranged for the lads and lasses of Rugby Air Training Corps 29F Squadron to pull a Lightning at Bruntingthorpe to raise money for charity.

The original plan had been to pull XR713 on account of it having no engines or fuel, however due to the fact that that aircraft had been delayed following a repaint, plans changed and the Lightning in question was now XR728, which in addition to having both engines installed had an amount of fuel on board as well and of course hydraulic oil etc. making it a dead weight of 20 tonnes.

With about 15 cadets, the task was not going to be an easy one and the following pictures show how progress was made and the effort required. 

There was time for taking pictures and have pictures taken and the weather was kind also.

The Lightning Preservation Group kindly presented every cadet with a couple of bookmarks with Lightnings on them.

Safety Briefing

Safety briefing before the pull

Time to go and do some pulling

The lads and lasses line up before the big pull

Officers and Cadets of the Rugby 29F Squadron Air Training Corps

Under the watchful eyes of Richard Norris

Getting the momentum going, not as easy as it might seem...but then it is 20 tonnes

Are some of them slacking off?

Any surface can be used for pushing and what effort it takes

Once the momentum has been achieved it is a short downhill stretch

Having a rest before the return journey

Right fit for the tight cockpit

Starting on the second leg

Always pushing from behind the wheels

Regaining momentum after a slow down

With a little help from some friends XR728 is on the home straight

LPG's Richard Norris explains some of the visible parts of the Lightning