Third RAF Binbrook Lightning Squadron

[MikoLee]

Reading on the aftermath of the Falklands conflict and the stationing of 23(F) Sqn Phantom FGR2 to relieve the Harrier GR3 at Stanley Airport for air defence of the islands and the subsequent purchase of of McDonnell Douglas Phantom F-4J from the US to bolster the air defence assets in the UK, it was considered that a third Lightning squadron being stood up from aircraft in storage, this brings about an interesting speculation of which squadron would be selected and where it would be stationed, 74 (Tiger) Squadron being one moving into RAF Binbrook 'Hangar 3' then occupied by the 'Lightning Training Flight'. Air superiority grey 'Tigers' would make a great what if!

What other RAF squadron numbers were available in 1983 that would be a good fit for a third Lightning squadron?

Miko

[George the Cat]

46 Squadron wás suggested by some. The LTF never had a shadow number officially. I believe the LTF would have combined with the Lightning Augmentation Flight (which looked after spare and stored airframes).

[MikoLee]

46 Squadron wás suggested by some.

46 squadron? I never thought of that one, when you say 'suggested by some' who are the some?

The LTF never had a shadow number officially. I believe the LTF would have combined with the Lightning Augmentation Flight (which looked after spare and stored airframes).

Didn't 226 OCU Lightnings have the shadow squadron 145 those at RAF Middleton St George? That would be an interesting choice

No doubt LAF would have provided the airframes, I remember they occasionally provided 'target facilities' for operational squadrons with a red star emblazoned on their tail

[George the Cat]

It was mentioned in the former Aviation News magazine and other related publications in the early 1980s, at various times.

[MikoLee]

It was mentioned in the former Aviation News magazine and other related publications in the early 1980s, at various times.

I wonder who made the final decision?
Being a north Lincolnshire lad the Lightning's out of RAF Binbrook was the sound track of my life under their flight path as the recovered home

[George the Cat]

I think that there is a committee that deals with such matters and that the views of the Chief of the Air Staff count too.