Lightnings were, apparently, a maintenance headache of enormous proportions. Its arguable they are simply not practical to own and fly as a charter aircraft - the cost to operate safely would make joy flights very expensive. The accident report following the fatal crash showed significant defects in maintenance which made me wonder whether Thunder City had already discovered this. The other types not so bad perhaps but its still the Lightning I'd like to fly in.
I lived in Cape Town in 2005 and, although Thunder City didn’t do tours as such, my wife persuaded them to allow a bunch of her pupils to visit on the basis that I could be their guide. (I’m an ex-RAF Buccaneer and Hunter pilot.) When I walked through the door Mike asked me if I wanted to re-qualify on the Bucc! At that time, I just wasn’t interested, so I declined! Boy, do I regret that now!
Remember the summer of 2009 as British Physicist Brian Cox flew onboard a two-seater version English Electric Lightning (aka "The Frightening") at Thunder City - South Africa, for the BBC series "Wonders of the Solar System". Thunder City was a private venture flying vintage jet aircraft such as the Lightning, Buccaneer and two-seater Hawker Hunter. In November 2009, after an accident leaving the Overberg airshow, one of their Lightning jets crashed and the group stopped flying. RIP pilot Dave Stock...
Worked on both , the Lighting claimed quiet a few pilots due to fuel leaks from the pickup brackets in the upper engine bay. Pigs to cure , but worth it to see them hit reheat on takeoff.
Im interested to know where you got your footage from. Some belongs to me. I shot a documentary for Thunder City and would like credit please. It appears as if the footage was taken from rushes, not the final production. Please respond. I do not wish to flag a copyright infringement.
Thanks for video was wondering what happened to Thunder City. Familiar with the Buccaneer from 15/16 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch in the early 80s. Also from my time at Warton where it was used as a target aircraft in Fox Hunter Testing.
I am ex RAF and had booked a flight in the 2 seat Lightning with Dave Stock. Sadly as we know he was lost along with the aircraft. He bravely flew the burning aircraft as best he could away from residential areas then went down with it. It was a great shame the loss of Dave and then Mike and Thunder City. I also wanted to fly in the hunter as I planned to buy and restore one for myself. RIP
Two of the Hunter "ZU-AVC" and "ZU-HUN" that were associated with Thunder city were not owned by thunder city. They have been owned by Ron Wheeldon since 1998
I’ll never forget being in primary school around 2010 and seeing that black buccaneer fly over my school, made an absolute racket which scared a bunch of my classmates but drew a grin on my face, and left me with an experience I’ll never forget, I’d heard of thunder city from my dad and had always wanted to see the planes in action, but sadly never really got the chance, until I saw a lightning a couple of years later fly over my grandparents house while I was in the garden, it’s still my favourite plane til this day. I really do hope I get the chance to see these planes flying again ❤
My friend flew one of their buccaneers - he’s said it was shockingly badly maintained (excess backlash in stick and multiple inoperable instruments) so he declined the flight in the lightening although he’d paid for it. A couple of months later the lightening spanked in.
Very sad end to a fine enterprise. I am sorry the end came before I could make my "bucket" trip to TC and go in a Lightning. Losing Mike not so long after his friend had been killed in the crash spelled the end. If they were still around we might be looking forward to flights in a Tornado. I saw my first Lightning in 1962 and been in love ever since.
Get back to the RAF or somebody these things are still Fly worthy especially against Small Dictatorships who are still using soviet tech which these were meant to fight
@@stanleybuchan4610 that won't be a problem South Africans are used to making new when stuff goes missing and making a plan. It just need a lot of money
"Both Mike and Dave were always living on the edge." "Great aviators did what they loved. ❤️ 💪
An absolute legend. The black Buccaneer and Lightning are 👌🏼 🖤
I agree, love the Bucc!
Lightnings were, apparently, a maintenance headache of enormous proportions. Its arguable they are simply not practical to own and fly as a charter aircraft - the cost to operate safely would make joy flights very expensive. The accident report following the fatal crash showed significant defects in maintenance which made me wonder whether Thunder City had already discovered this. The other types not so bad perhaps but its still the Lightning I'd like to fly in.
Cheers Yoda...
I lived in Cape Town in 2005 and, although Thunder City didn’t do tours as such, my wife persuaded them to allow a bunch of her pupils to visit on the basis that I could be their guide. (I’m an ex-RAF Buccaneer and Hunter pilot.) When I walked through the door Mike asked me if I wanted to re-qualify on the Bucc! At that time, I just wasn’t interested, so I declined! Boy, do I regret that now!
Remember the summer of 2009 as British Physicist Brian Cox flew onboard a two-seater version English Electric Lightning (aka "The Frightening") at Thunder City - South Africa, for the BBC series "Wonders of the Solar System". Thunder City was a private venture flying vintage jet aircraft such as the Lightning, Buccaneer and two-seater Hawker Hunter. In November 2009, after an accident leaving the Overberg airshow, one of their Lightning jets crashed and the group stopped flying. RIP pilot Dave Stock...
Great video, i volunteer at the SAAF
Museum near Cape Town we have a buccaneer there but she will never fly again.
Read the accident report on the two seat Lightning.
It speaks volumes...
Yeah - it was a death trap.
In the early days they also operated the Canberra bombers.
Worked on both , the Lighting claimed quiet a few pilots due to fuel leaks from the pickup brackets in the upper engine bay. Pigs to cure , but worth it to see them hit reheat on takeoff.
"This could of been the same problem that Dave stock had.!
"Love it all. ❤️
Im interested to know where you got your footage from. Some belongs to me. I shot a documentary for Thunder City and would like credit please. It appears as if the footage was taken from rushes, not the final production. Please respond. I do not wish to flag a copyright infringement.
Is there any particular way you would like me to provide credit in the video description?
Thanks for the great video. What's happened to the other Lightnings?
Still in that hangar I presume, I hope they get airborn sometime soon!
“Cape Town in South Africa would probably be the last place you- grrrrrrrrrrshhhhhhhhhhhhhh”
The Lightening is my favourite. Although I never got to work on them in the RAF.
It's 'Lightning'
Thanks for video was wondering what happened to Thunder City. Familiar with the Buccaneer from 15/16 Squadron at RAF Laarbruch in the early 80s. Also from my time at Warton where it was used as a target aircraft in Fox Hunter Testing.
Also the unfortunate death of a child when the canopy of I think a Bucc struck the child. Cant remember exact details. Think it was a TC bucc?
Buccaneer XX897, used for Tornado F3 Foxhunter trials never went to South Africa. It was bought by Don Wood at Bournemouth.
I put a picture up of Boscombe Down Buccaneers, not necessarilly the ones going to Thunder City, sorry for the confusion!
When I think of Buccaneers I also think state 2...
I am ex RAF and had booked a flight in the 2 seat Lightning with Dave Stock. Sadly as we know he was lost along with the aircraft. He bravely flew the burning aircraft as best he could away from residential areas then went down with it. It was a great shame the loss of Dave and then Mike and Thunder City. I also wanted to fly in the hunter as I planned to buy and restore one for myself. RIP
00:13 the Puma is pronounced pyoo-muh.
Poom. (Ex-230 Sqn) 😂🤣
Two of the Hunter "ZU-AVC" and "ZU-HUN" that were associated with Thunder city were not owned by thunder city. They have been owned by Ron Wheeldon since 1998
AVC is close to operational again and HUN is operational
Bring Back the Buc!
I’ll never forget being in primary school around 2010 and seeing that black buccaneer fly over my school, made an absolute racket which scared a bunch of my classmates but drew a grin on my face, and left me with an experience I’ll never forget, I’d heard of thunder city from my dad and had always wanted to see the planes in action, but sadly never really got the chance, until I saw a lightning a couple of years later fly over my grandparents house while I was in the garden, it’s still my favourite plane til this day. I really do hope I get the chance to see these planes flying again ❤
Wish a bucc buzzed my primary school haha - Would've been the best moment of school!
Flew in a T5 in 1971 as a member of 29 Sqdn. Remember a very detail of it. Exhilarating doesn't even come close to describing this experience.
Damn, would have loved to see those planes fly. Great video!
Chhers mate - hopefully soon they'll be flying!
Nice 👌 episode.. I suggest asubject about the RAF Dog fight air battle
My friend flew one of their buccaneers - he’s said it was shockingly badly maintained (excess backlash in stick and multiple inoperable instruments) so he declined the flight in the lightening although he’d paid for it. A couple of months later the lightening spanked in.
Very sad end to a fine enterprise. I am sorry the end came before I could make my "bucket" trip to TC and go in a Lightning. Losing Mike not so long after his friend had been killed in the crash spelled the end. If they were still around we might be looking forward to flights in a Tornado. I saw my first Lightning in 1962 and been in love ever since.
I’m certain the Buccaneer and the Hunter made a cameos appearance in “Lord of War”.
Rare footage of the Bucc starting up with the Palouste :)
Four types on my bucket list to have a flight in are: Spitfire, Swordfish, Hunter and Bristol Fighter. 😊👍
You would probably love a flight in a Lightning too. M.
Get back to the RAF or somebody these things are still Fly worthy especially against Small Dictatorships who are still using soviet tech which these were meant to fight
My generation aren't around to maintain these birds any longer. Also the GE and tools are no more.
UK and the West are dictatorships, have you not noticed? 2 plus years of coNvid should have woken you up to that ffs
@@stanleybuchan4610 that won't be a problem South Africans are used to making new when stuff goes missing and making a plan. It just need a lot of money