English Electric Lightning - Survivor XR749

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F.3 XR749 - Score Group PLC (gate guard), Glenugie Engineering Works, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire

Lightning F.3 XR749 at Peterhead, 21st April 2012; Geoff Lokey

Now a rather more quiet example of the breed. XR749 is an F.3 which used to be preserved in excellent condition at Teesside Airport, which used to be RAF Middleton St. George. She used to be positioned on the road next to the main terminal building in tribute to the airfield's past use as an RAF station, but sadly the new management thought an advertising hoarding in this location is more important than the site's heritage, and ordered her removed. Thankfully FRA aviation took her into their care until she was sold to a new owner. In late July 2004 she was dismantled (correctly!) and began her journey to her new home in Scotland. Score Group carried out a restoration treated her for corrosion before putting her back together as a gate guard outside their premises, mounted on wheel stands on a concrete base. The company service Avon engines hence the Lightning link.

Information on this page current as of 29/04/2012, last updated by Damien

Find other photos of XR749 on the following sites:

Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net

Jayne Parsons from Pagham	Posted at 6:12pm on Saturday, October 21st, 2023
This plane is legendary and should be safely under cover in a museum, not corroding in the open air with parts reportedly falling off - how sad!
Matt Baxter from Cumbria	Posted at 1:35pm on Tuesday, August 29th, 2023
Mike Hale was one of my RAF instructors and there is a You Tube video that tells the story of the U2 and Concorde. Just search lightning v u2 and concord.
Heber Seddon from Blackpool	Posted at 3:14pm on Friday, January 7th, 2022
Xr479 theU2 interceptor at 66k feet and then went on to 88k feet...
Dave Porter from London	Posted at 9:23am on Monday, June 7th, 2021
XR749 is the only aircraft to have succeeded in a challenge extended by BA offering Concorde as a target for intercept while doing flight trials for her in April 1985. F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-14 Tomcats, Mirages, F-104 Starfighters all tried and failed, XR749 flown by Flt Lt Mike Hale was the only aircraft to succeed, using the "stern converstion intercept technique" to catch Concorde which was cruising at Mach 2.2 at 57,000'. The evening before was spent in assiduous preparation, po... read more »read more »
John Power from Toronto, Canada	Posted at 6:09pm on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021
Great to read posts RE the Lightning Keep them coming
Sam Peacock from Aberdeen	Posted at 3:31pm on Sunday, April 18th, 2021
Hi there, I took a trip upto Peterhead today to see if I could visit XR749 and was pleased to be let into the SCORE premises by the gatekeeper there. It’s in reasonable condition still, but the sea air has started to take its toll with corrosion and unfortunately noticed a few parts actually falling off onto the ground. Should be in a museum IMO! I have a few photos, please get in touch if needed. Cheers
Jon Glen from Dundee	Posted at 7:57pm on Saturday, October 10th, 2020
XR749 is still located in Peterhead,(4th Oct 2020)the company is now Score Subsea & Wellhead
Geoff Lokey from Luton, Beds	Posted at 7:40pm on Saturday, April 28th, 2012
Photographed XR749 up at Score Plc on Saturday 21st April with help from Dave Matson who came in on his day off to show me around. He also showed me a video of the plane's history. Many thanks, Dave! Geoff L.
Geoff Lokey from Luton, Beds	Posted at 9:18am on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Travelling up to Aberdeen in April. Can anyone confirm that XR749 is still at this location and if so is accessible for photographs? Geoff L.
Wallace Shackleton from Kinross	Posted at 10:10am on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011
I helped with the dismantling of this aircraft at Leuchars. In all fairness it was done the best way that we could. It gave me no pleasure to see the wings cut with a Stihl-saw but at least she was saved, unlike the Phantoms that shared the blast pens with her. This is the one that the Airfix model was based upon.

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