Hero Porn

Some 'drives' can carry even an old man away. Heroes too. We may be 'past it' in performance but even the smells and sounds can be captivating and get the blood and other juices flowing. Voyeurism has a poor reputation but only in some instances. Others are OK. And so it was that my recent holiday saw me at an Air Show where Power, air-sheering noise and avgas brought back memories of times past.

It got me thinking of the dedication, effort, skills, the captivating intensity that dominated my earlier years, and brought memories of others who took it to the further reaches of 'actualisation'. There were men who went beyond. Men who made Thunder City.

Principal amongst them was Mike Beachy Head, who had a love of the same aircraft that I hold dear, and, frankly, turn this old Tavern Keeper on!  The story of Thunder City's aircraft acquisitions and effots is told below.

ENTREPENEUR and aviator, Mike Beachy Head, who gained an international reputation as the custodian of the world’s largest private collection of fighter jets, based at Thunder City at Cape Town International Airport, died of a heart attack 2 years ago in May 2017. He was 59.

Beachy Head accumulated immense wealth through his ambition to reach beyond the ordinary and a willingness to grasp sometimes unlikely opportunities.

It is a measure of his drive that, after qualifying as a pilot of small airplanes two-and-a-half decades ago, he went on to master – and then buy – one of the fastest fighter jets ever produced, the English Electric Lightning.

With laconic understatement, Beachy Head once reflected on his affection for the plane by saying: “I’m a bit of a performance junky.” He eventually owned four of these planes – and no fewer than 10 other combat aircraft.

Beachy Head possessed an enthusiasm for the thrill of speed and danger, the power – even the noise – of immense engines; he went at life full-tilt, flamboyant in spirit, and generous in sharing his delight with others.

So, the customers of the Tavern, and I, 

raised a glass or three today, in memoriam.

Thunder City is an aircraft operating and maintenance company based at the Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town, South Africa. It was well known for owning the largest civilian collection of former military jet aircraft in the world These aircraft were used to perform in airshows and could also be chartered by the general public for recreational flights, including going supersonic and climbing to altitudes around 50,000 feet. 

Part one of a splendid programme is here. Pt 2 later.

Following a fatal accident in 2009 in which an English Electric Lightning crashed at an airshow, the company ceased flying operations.

• Three English Electric Lightning. One T5 was lost in an accident on 14 November 2009.
• Three Blackburn Buccaneers. 
• Seven Hawker Hunters. 
• One BAC Strikemaster. 
• One Aerospatiale Puma, a demonstrator of the company's upgrade and refurbishment services 
• One Gloster Javelin FAW Mk.1 (RAF No. XA553). Mounted as a "Gate Guard" on display at the entrance to the company premises.


In October 2012, three Lightnings, three Buccaneers and four Hawker Hunters were put up for sale. It was the End of Thunder City.

Let me remind you of these superb machines.

The Lightning.

Not since the Spitfire has one aircraft captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation of fighter pilots in the way that the Lightning has.

Unequivocally Britain's most loved jet fighter, the Lightning earned itself legitimately a place among the greats of celebrated aviation legends. 

In continuous front line service for almost thirty years with the Royal Air Force the passing of the Lightning represented the end of a unique era. It was the last of a rare breed: Single seat, entirely British, magnificently over powered and possessing delightful handling qualities. It was radically different in design with its vertical twin engine design, slab sided fuselage and highly swept wings making it stand apart from others. Built by craftsmen, it was a privilege to fly. You don't fly the Lightning like a conventional airplane - you strap it on your back and experience the ultimate thrill. Words can do little justice to the sensation of climbing vertically on a column of raw power, breaking the bond between earth and sky.

There never has been an aircraft as charismatic as the Lightning and it's unlikely in this modern age that there ever will be again." ( from The Last of the Lightnings, A nostalgic farewell to the RAF's favorite supersonic Fighter, Ian Black, © 1996 Patrick Stephens Limited).

The Buccaneer

Twin engine tandem seat low level strike attack aircraft powered by two Rolls Royce Spey non-afterburning bypass turbofans developing 12600 lb. static thrust each.

Equipped with terrain hugging radar, this attack aircraft is at its peak prowess low and fast. "Most air forces do have fast jets which were specially designed for the ground-attack mission. Almost certainly the best have been subsonic, examples being the Grumman A-6 Intruder and the BAE Buccaneer. They are superior because, compared with supersonic aircraft, they carry more, fly further, and can make their attack with at least equal precision and probably at lower altitude. 

As for speed, none of the supersonic types can actually attack at supersonic speed, and with its internal bombload of 4000 lb. the Buccaneer was faster than (for example) a Jaguar, Phantom, F-111, Mirage, F-15E, Tornado or Su-24 with the same load !" (The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes; The Development and Specifications of all Active Military Aircraft; Bill Gunston; ©1995 Aerospace Publishing Limited)

The Hunter.

Possibly the best transonic fighter and ground-support aircraft of its kind, the classic Hawker Hunter, with clean lines, excellent handling characteristics and a good load carrying capacity, the Hunter was built in greater numbers than any other postwar British aircraft.


Single engine two seat (side by side) transonic advanced combat training aircraft, powered by the non-afterburning Rolls Royce Avon axial flow turbojet developing 7600 lbs. static thrust. First prototypes flying in 1951, it was Britain's first indigenous swept wing fighter to enter service and briefly held the world speed record in 1953. It formed the backbone of the Royal Air Force fighter force from 1954-1961 and remained in front line service until the early seventies, the last examples only being withdrawn in 1995. Nearly two thousand Hunters of all types were built for a number of different air forces, including the Belgian, Chilean, Danish, Dutch, Indian, Swedish and Swiss air forces. The Swiss ultimately purchased 160 Hunters, operating the type from 1958 until December 1994.

Have a 3-day pass.....

As was announced in 2010, Thunder City, which has the world's largest civilian-owned fleet of ex-combat jets including three English Electric Lightnings, three BAe Buccaneers, seven Hawker Hunters and a retrofitted Puma helicopter, is to cease flying operations with immediate effect.

Making the announcement founder and CEO of Thunder City, Mike Beachy Head says, "After a decade of indelible memories and enormous thrills in flying international and local visitors in our distinctive jets, we have decided to cease the flying activities at the base.

"Established under the name Thunder City in 2000, the brand has gone on to become one of the most globally recognised as a home-grown South African one. Seen by millions of TV viewers in countries across the planet, the iconic Thunder City jets have inspired many to travel to Cape Town to experience the thrill and adrenaline-rush of flying in a supersonic ex-military jet. We have had a lot of worldwide media exposure, especially in Europe and the USA. TV networks from all over the world have filmed documentaries on the Thunder City operation. These include household names such as Sky TV, CNN and the Discovery Channel, as well as Turkish, Austrian, Chinese, Dutch, French, Spanish and several German TV channels and also our own Top Billing and MNet's Carte Blanche."

Beachy Head says that it was not an easy decision to make, but that a number of factors such as the current slow economy, high cost of maintenance and short to medium term prospects, had influenced the closure. He says that the 13 jets will be moth-balled until a final decision is made as to the future of this valuable and historic collection.

During the past decade the Thunder City jets have flown more than 2000 sorties and generated revenue of R100million. Many celebrities such as Mark Shuttleworth, Sir Richard Branson, as well as many Middle Eastern sheiks and princes, and European royalty have flown in the super-powerful English Electric Lightning, the pride of the fleet, as well as their other jets. Some flying enthusiasts have saved up to come to Cape Town for the thrill of a lifetime.

What can be more enjoyable than flying over Cape Town with some of the world's most spectacular scenery, with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, dotted with white beaches along the surrounding coastline and vineyards on the lower reaches of the nearby majestic mountain ranges. Being at the foot of Africa, it is also one of the most uncluttered air spaces on the planet, making it the ideal place to fly in supersonic jets. No more will the thunderous jets enthral visitors to airshows, where the raw power, iconic shapes, manoeuvrability and consummate flying skills of the pilots will be missed.

Beachy Head concluded, 

"Although this is the end of an era for flights in Thunder City's fast jets,

... we will continue working on the Puma SA 330 helicopter retrofit and upgrade programme which was begun 3 years ago. Thunder City, which is a certified Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO), has completed both the rigorous P4 inspection process and a full avionics upgrade on their first retrofitted Puma helicopter, through the installation of the "glass cockpit" concept, which incorporates the digital era. There are currently another four Pumas in various stages of rebuild.

"One of the clear trends is the development of digital avionics technology, and being able to upgrade mechanically sound aircraft with "glass cockpits", cost-effectively. There is currently a global shortage of medium-lift helicopter capacity to satisfy the needs for Search & Rescue, transport for military personnel and oil exploration crews.

"Finally, we wish to thank all the many visitors who have flown with us for their support. We are also grateful to the print and electronic media for the generous coverage they have provided over the past 10 years. It will be very quiet at the base without the distinctive sounds of the various Rolls Royce jet engines starting up and also over the skies of Cape Town. It's been an more exhilarating ride and we greatly appreciate all the efforts that our dedicated maintenance team at the base have put in over the years. Who knows, if circumstances change the mighty roar of the jets may be heard again at some time in the future."

It is doubtful that anyone soon will follow his example. The dedication and devotion is rare and the capital required is too often frittered on yachts! I know. Astonishing, isn't it?

Mike has gone. He is amongst the Tavern Heroes.

As is Dave Stock who flew so much with Thunder City, but whose untimely death in the crash of Lightning ZU-BEX tolled the bell for the enterprise.

Raise your glasses.

Toast heroic men.

Pax