P1B November Newsletter
In the space of just a few short weeks since Newsletter 1, a lot has been happening – in fact, almost too much! Our focus is to have XA847 match ready by August 2026, in time for its first public viewing at the Goodwood Revival. Note for your diary: 18–20 September 2026. This will be the first time the aircraft has been seen in daylight for over 30 years.
Back to the restoration. As mentioned previously, the team’s goal is to capture one specific moment in the aircraft’s life: the naming ceremony on 23 October 1958. That means our focus is achieving exactly the look she had on that day. Starting at the front, the main effort has been polishing the front fuselage. A Lightning comes apart into five or six major components, and the front fuselage is one of them. Externally, the aircraft isn’t in bad shape, protected by a thick layer of varnish applied after her last polish in 1968.
As P1B arrived in the barn - Photograghed by Hugh Trevor 1999 & right, in November 2025 - part shined and photographed by Rich.
Our first task was to remove the varnish – not an easy job. Our chief restorer Rich has worked miracles. Modern paint stripper is far more environmentally friendly than it used to be, which is great for the planet but less great for removing 57-year-old varnish! We tried all the usual products on the P1B and none of them worked. Rich must carefully apply the industrial-strength stripper while making sure it doesn’t damage the aluminium beneath.
A Lightning might look like an aluminium tube, but each panel is made from aluminium with several layers and treatments. Strip too much, and you damage the surface. So, a delicate balance is needed: polish the airframe, but keep its “battle scars,” scratches and dents accumulated in service, and we want to preserve them as part of her story.
Rich removes the varnish and then hand-polishes the aluminium - a long, laborious task. The results speak for themselves, and the finish is superb. Rich has developed a real passion for the aircraft, and we’re very lucky to have him. To say he is the best is no understatement. I attempted a small bit of polishing myself and left swirls and streaks everywhere; I am now banned from restoration work! 😸
People often have an epiphany when they see a Lightning. Just this week someone told me, after visiting the Lightnings at Bruntingthorpe, that he had been “struck by Jesus”!
We have decided to keep the original red, white and blue roundel as it is - it keeps the character and patina. Other small details, like the original ejector-seat warning triangle, will also be kept with their original patina, while missing stencils will be replaced. A fully refurbished Lightning ejector seat will be installed, and the three or four missing instruments have already been sourced.
Some up close sections photographed by Rich during the first few days of work
The last two major items on the nose section are replacing the missing fuselage “D” panels and repainting the Lightning flash on the nose – by hand. Our aim is to have the nose 100% complete (minus artwork) by the end of December 2025, so Newsletter 3 should feature a big reveal.
If you’re enjoying the story so far, there’s plenty more waiting on the other side - including deeper history of the P1B and this month’s Stories from the Cockpit featuring Don Knight, the last remaining P1B pilot.
You can unlock the full update for just £4.99 a month, receive your exclusive P1B pin badge and your subscription directly supports the P1B’s journey to Goodwood Revival 2026.
PS. Incase you don't sign up and miss this 😦 We’ll be at the Aerobility Ball and hope to see some of you there. If you can’t make it on the night, their silent auction is now live - and tucked among the brilliant prizes, you might spot a rather special piece of Lightning memorabilia. Every penny raised supports the incredible work Aerobility does, so happy bidding and good luck!