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glyn · 07-25-2007, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parihaka

I'll go with "Account" on this one LOL.
The English Electric Lightning.
I once heard a story that a Blackbird was at full cruising height when two Lightnings appeared, not below it but above it, standing on their tails but still higher. Don't know if it's a myth or not, perhaps Glyn can confirm.

Ha! I only once flew in a Lightning and that was a 2 holer at Gutersloh in the 60s. As the total duration was only 40 minutes I cannot claim to be an authority. My 'local' ex-Lightning driver now lives in New Zealand, flying tourists to and from Fiji. I seem to remember him saying that they were not supposed to go above 60,000' as they were not issued with 'space' clothing. Will check with the Pilots Notes. The SR-71 was optimised for high altitude high speed flight, and the Lightning as a day point interceptor so those horses were meant for different courses.