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Where are we located?
The Anglo-American Lightning Organisation is located
in the US at Stennis Airport, Kiln, Mississippi, and at Bruntingthorpe
Airfield, Leicester, England.
Our objective
XS422 in original flight condition, 1982
We seek to preserve and return to flight the last all-British fighter/interceptor
jet aircraft and to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the aircraft
in North America. The aircraft offers a variety of uses including:
- Airshow demonstrator/product advertising
- The two-seater configuration offers flight experience for non-pilots
- As a test bed for aircraft component R&D
- A supersonic trainer for qualified pilots
XS422 at Stennis (Nov 2003) with some of the US and UK team members.
Front Row (L to R): John Sherry (UK), Bob Simms (US), Rebecca Skinner (UK),
Simon Johnson (US), Tom Bonser (US).
Back Row (L to R): Phil Wallis (UK), Nic Holman (UK), Jason Skinner (UK),
Dave Cruddas (UK), Max Waldron (UK), Nick Woodhouse (UK), Roger Winkworth
(UK), Bob Newton (US).
Not pictured are Andrew Brodie (UK), Geoff Cummins
(UK), Jon Roth (US), and Merrill Molaison (US).
Who is involved with managing this project?
- Andrew Brodie (United Kingdom)
Business Owner and Restoration Expert
Overall Project Sponsor
- Phil Wallis (United Kingdom)
Active Duty Royal Air Force and Ex-Front Line Lightning Maintenance Specialist
Airframe & Propulsion Systems Training Supervisor, RAF Cosford
Restoration Project Manager & Chief Technician
- Max Waldron (United Kingdom)
Active Duty Royal Air Force Mechanical/Escape Systems Specialist
Eurofighter/Typhoon IPT Sgt
Deputy Engineering Manager & Publicity Manager
- Paul Ross (United Kingdom)
Specialist in marketing, management and associated skills
Sponsorship Leader
- Nic Holman (United Kingdom)
Video Cameraman & Documentary maker
Supporters Group President
- Jon Roth, Jr. (Denmark)
Vintage Aircraft Expert
A & P Mechanic with FAA Inspection Authorization
- Bill Norman (United States)
Aircraft Modification/Restoration Expert
US Chief Mechanic
- Bob Simms (United States)
Project Mgmt & Airframe Expertise
Ex-English Electric Employee (’61–’79)
US Project Manager
Why are we in the US?
The British CAA does not allow restored vintage jets like the Lightning to fly in the UK.
The US FAA will approve use of the jet if requisite certification,
maintenance, and operations procedures are met. The Lightning may be
flown in the “Experimental/Exhibition Aircraft” category.
Why are we at Stennis, MS?
Stennis Airport, Kiln, MS, USA
Stennis International Airport features a 8,500-foot runway and is adjacent
to the NASA Stennis Space Center where NASA conducts engine testing
for the Space Shuttle and other launch vehicles. The airport is located
in a relatively unpopulated area and is
a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico and its potential use for supersonic
flight. We have refurbishment and assembly facilities within a 12,500
square foot hangar.
Project Hangar at Stennis Airport
What do we have at Stennis?
Rollout—XS422 on apron—16 Sep 2001
- XS422—ex-RAF Boscombe Down Empire
Test Pilot’s School mach 2+ trainer.
- XS422 was disassembled when it was
taken out of RAF service and was transported to the US in several containers
- 5,000+ Spare Parts
- Ex-Saudi Royal Airforce Front Fuselage (ZF595)
- 3 Rolls Royce Avon engines
What do we have in the UK?
Spare parts being sorted in the UK
- Spare wings, rear fuselage, and fin
- 3 Rolls Royce Avon engines
- 15,000+ spare parts
- Full support of the Lightning Association:
- Experienced RAF/BAE systems active duty engineers and test pilots
What is the restoration approach and schedule?
- Returning XS422 to flight status
is a three-phase restoration project:
- Phase 1: Inspection and Refurbishment
- Phase 2: Airframe reassembly
- Phase 3: Subsytem installation & Flight Tests
- We are currently in the final phase of our project and are getting closer to our
goal of seeing XS422 take to the air again.
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