16-Year-Old Helps Restore Cold War Fighter Jet at Former RAF Base

A 16-year-old from Grimsby has been assisting with the restoration of a Cold War-era Lightning XR724 aircraft at the former Binbrook station near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire. Grace Johnson works alongside her grandfather, Chris Johnson, a former RAF engineer who began his career at the site at age 18.

She started visiting the aircraft in 2021 and now performs maintenance tasks as part of the Lightning Association.

Johnson told the BBC that the goal is to return the aircraft to its original operating condition. She described entering an engine intake for maintenance as a notable experience. Chris Johnson, 64, said he joined the project after seeing the aircraft outside the base in 2019. He noted that five years later the aircraft is in improved condition.

XR724 first flew on February 10, 1965, and performed quick reaction alert duties during the 1960s before retirement in 1991. Since then, it has completed public runs with support from former motorcycle racer Guy Martin. Chris Johnson said the aircraft was scrambled at any time of day or night to intercept and escort aircraft out of airspace.

Grace Johnson said she has become interested in aerospace work and may consider employment with BAE Systems or the RAF.