RAF Waddington ARC ran a Special Event Station GB0EEL on the weekend of 2-3 August 2024 at former RAF Binbrook. This was the 70th anniversary of the first test flight on 4th August 1954, from RAF Boscombe Down, of the English Electric P1A (WG760), the type that was later to become the English Electric Lightning, piloted by English Electric’s chief test pilot Wing Commander Roland Beaumont.

“11 Aug 54 On its third flight, lasting 50 minutes, the aircraft, flown by Beaumont, became the first British aircraft to exceed the speed of sound in level flight – Mach 1.02 – at an altitude of 30,000 feet”. (With acknowledgment: RAF Museum website )

Lightnings later flew from RAF Binbrook and the Lightning Association is located there.

		We made around 280 contacts on HF, 2m and using FT8 over the weekend. Our thanks go to those stations who called us, many of whom had personal connections with the Lightning.