Lightning in Scarborough North Bay.

Lightning XP753 at Mildenhall display three months prior to the crash, F/Lt Thompson was also flying this aircraft on this day, the 28th May 1983.

On the 26th of August 1983 there was to be an airshow at Teeside, two Lightnings were to be part of the days show there. One of the Lightnings, the Flight Leaders aircraft, would not start at their base so the other aircraft took off alone. Before take-off the pilot had asked twice if he could perform an impromptu display over Scarborough, these requests were turned down by his Flight Commander due to the fact this display had not been practiced or authorised. The Lightning pilot was a very experienced display pilot who had, at IAT 83 at RAF Greenham Common, won the Superkings Jet Aerobatics trophy earlier in the year. It was never understood why such a top pilot would disobey direct orders not to carry out a display over the town which would sadly end in tragedy. He flew in low over the sea and headed toward the cliffs (I assume that this is the cliffs under the castle), The pilot did not climb and fly over the cliffs but tried a tight turn at cliff level with the aim of flying back out to sea. During this turn the aircraft lost its flying speed, the aircraft then began to roll inverted as it dived into the sea. The pilot tried to eject but he did this as the aircraft was entering the water, not far out from the shore, which sadly killed him instantly. His body was recovered, as was the majority of the aircraft and taken away for examination.

It was never understood why such a competant pilot would have carried out his display against the orders of his commanding officer, I am told that if he had completed the display and flown back to base he would have faced certain disciplinary action. Sadly only he will never no. This is a difficult one to detail on the website, the pilot clearly has surviving family and a balance between detailing the incident and trying to show more information that perhaps the family would want to appear on the internet. He was undoubtably one the top pilots of his day.

Pilot - F/Lt Michael Leslie (Mike) Thompson RAF (608529Y), aged 39, of Scunthorpe, Lincs. Buried St Mary with St Gabriel Churchyard, Binbrook, Lincs.

The pilot and his gravestone at Binbrook in Lincolnshire. He was born on 28th March 1944.

XP753 as it was whilst with 5 Sqdn. Photo - copyright Terry Waddington Collection.

XP753 as it was whilst with LTF in 1983. Photo - copyright Peter R March.

XP753 as it was whilst with LTF. Photo - copyright Terry Waddington Collection.

XP753 as it was whilst with 5 Sqdn. Photo - copyright Terry Waddington Collection.