Bruntingthorpe Airfield
Buccaneer and ground crew. Photo by Chris Cannon.
Situated in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Bruntingthorpe has one of the country's longest runways and was an American airbase during World War II. It is the home of a unique collection of mostly classic Jets. Ranging from a Victor tanker, the world's only airworthy Avro Vulcan, a Comet, a pair of Lightning F-6's housed in their QRA Shed as well as Jet Provosts, Buccaneers, Hunters and a Sea Vixen to name a few. Bruntingthorpe also has a large collection of aircraft cockpits.
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome and Proving Ground
Vickers VC10 XV105 delivery at Bruntingthorpe – Tuesday 30th August 2011
On the 30th August 2011 VC10 XV105 from 101 squadron based at RAF Brize Norton made its last flight to Bruntingthorpe airfield for spares recovery. This was the third VC10 in the last few months to be withdrawn. As airframes come to the end of their life, they are ferried over to Bruntingthorpe where all the usable spare parts are removed for use on the remaining 101 Squadron aircraft.
Images courtesy of John Bradshaw
Bruntingthorpe photocall 2011 - Saturday 28th May 2011
After several years absence it was nice to see Avro Vulcan XH558 back at her old home again. After landing she was positioned on the runway and soon joined by some of Bruntingthorpe’s full time resident aircraft. How often can you see two V bombers parked together in this day and age? Other aircraft in the line up included Nimrod XV226, a pair of Buccaneers and a Lightning. What a privilege to see this many great British aircraft all in one location.
Images courtesy of Roger Whitcomb - Milairpix.com
50th anniversary of the Lightning into service and the unveiling of the Lightning Q shed - Saturday 24th July 2010
Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire opened its gates to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lightning into service and the official opening of the Ex-RAF Wattisham Lightning Q shed. With over thirty Ex-Lightning pilots attending and a large group of enthusiasts who have supported the two Lightnings and the rebuilding of the Q shed, as well as many of the Lightning Preservation Group members. Speeches were made by the airfield owner David Walton and the Lightning Preservation Group president Richard Norris and Group Captain John Spencer, RAF Binbrook's last Station Commander, followed by the cutting of the ribbon by David Walton. Shortly after both Lightnings were pulled out simultaneously and later in the afternoon Squadron Leader Dennis Brooks took XS904 up the runway for a full reheat fast taxi run.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Nimrod MR2 XV226 delivery at Bruntingthorpe - Tuesday 27th April 2010
On Tuesday 27th April a small group of aviation enthusiasts and photographers eagerly awaited the arrival of Nimrod MR2 XV226. At 11:15am the aircraft appeared from behind the trees in what was near perfect weather conditions. After carrying out a graceful run-and-break, 226 carried out a roller along Bruntingthorpe's runway, before touching down for the very last time. Having transited down from Scotland and saying a final farewell to Cottesmore on the way down, the Kinloss ground crew saw the aircraft in on one of Bruntingthorpe's dispersals. As her engines were shut down her new owner David Walton waited to greet the crew and receive the 700. XV226 will be kept in ground running condition and should be joining the Victor, Comet and Lightnings for fast taxi runs very soon.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Images courtesy of Denis J. Calvert Inter-Air Press
VC10 last flights at Bruntingthorpe - Tuesday 6th April 2010
History was made at Bruntingthorpe on 6th April 2010 when two 101 Sqn VC10s made their final flights. The aircraft XR807/Q and XV109/Z took off from RAF Brize Norton and did a final flypast before carrying out the short trip to Bruntingthorpe. The aircraft carried out a 2-ship flypast, breaking left and right before making their final landings. Between them they have given over 80 years of service and over 80,000 hours. What a final example of British design and engineering in what is one of the most graceful of large aircraft ever built. Thirteen VC10 tanker aircraft continue to operate from RAF Brize Norton, with some of the aircraft expected to soldier on until 2014.
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle
Bruntingthorpe Twilight Run 2009 - Saturday 28th November 2009
The Lightning Preservation Group (LPG) are raising funds to re-erect the former RAF Wattisham Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) hangar at Bruntingthorpe airfield, in Leicestershire. The hangar is historic in its own right, being one of only three built in the UK, it will protect both aircraft from the elements and serve as a unique museum and memorial to the "Lightning Force" and the Cold War period.
£120,000 is needed to accomplish this aim, the fund currently stands at around £110,000.
Re-erection work is almost complete!
The steel work has been erected & the concrete floor finished! Roof cladding complete, front doors hung, side cladding on, just the back doors to complete and due to the latest Twilight Run there are now sufficient funds to hang the rear doors, after that there is just the rear cladding to complete.
Images courtesy of Roger Whitcomb - Milairpix.com
The "Q" shed (once finished) will form a unique museum of everything Lightning as well as stopping the aircraft deteriorating thereby keeping these historic aircraft serviceable and available for the public to enjoy.
Bruntingthorpe 21st anniversary of the Lightning 2009 - Sunday 26th July 2009
Images courtesy of Ross Cannon
On Target Aviation Group - Canberra WT333
Lightning gallery - Sunday 26th July 2009
Images courtesy of Ross Cannon
Bruntingthorpe taxi event - Sunday 3rd May 2009 - Static line-up
Images courtesy of Chris Cannon
Bruntingthorpe taxi event - Sunday 3rd May 2009
Images courtesy of Ian Bracegirdle