1/72nd Airfix Lightning – The Balderton Lightning

The Balderton Lightning, not far from RAF Swinderby, became a landmark to travellers along the A1 and achieved an iconic status, not just as a landmark but it appeared in a music video and on T-shirts designed by Paul Smith.

It was one of the last remaining Lightning F.2As. The jet left RAF Coningsby in 1983 bound for the haulage yard that was to be its home for the next 28 years. The retired aircraft, serial number XN728, served in Germany at the height of the Cold War and was purchased from the military by A1 Commercial Sales who hoped it's presence on the A1 would bring business to their yard. But it wasn't long before the site was empty. The Lightning was left alone and a campaign of vandalism and theft ensued, which was to be the story of the Lightning's existence. The Balderton yard was occupied and abandoned on many occasions over the next two decades, but the Lightning somehow remained on site despite efforts by the local council to have it removed. Many people, including museums tried to save the sorry looking Lightning each one failed one after the other. It was said even a film company tried but was turned away. The XN728 came complete with two engines even though it had been stripped to it's airframe.

There were rumours that the yard's last owner was planning a restoration effort but this ending up just to be a rumour. And so on until September 9, 2011, when the Cold War warrior was torn apart for scrap. Aviation enthusiasts and Lightning fans in particular could scarcely believe that XN728's days were finally over. While a good number of English Electric Lightnings have been preserved, XN728 was the only remaining F.2A in England and one of only two in the UK.

It's cockpit section has since been restored, and is on display at the Newark Air Museum.

This is my tribute to The Balderton Lightning.