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The English Electric Lightning is a British fighter aircraft that served as an interceptor during the 1960s, the 1970s and into the late 1980s. It was capable of a top speed of above Mach 2. The Lightning was designed, developed, and manufactured by English Electric.
Whilst the English Electric P.1B was potentially faster than the Fairey Delta FD2 (which broke the air speed record at 1,132 mph on 10th March 1956) it lacked the fuel capacity to provide the ‘one run in each direction at maximum speed’ in order to qualify for the record.
- 45,750lb 20,752kg take-off weight
- 34 ft 10 in (10.6m)
The Lightning stemmed from a 1947 requirement for a fighter capable of unprecedented performance. English Electric's design was so radical at the time that the Royal Aircraft Establishment took exception to some parts of it.
The English Electric / BAC Lightning is a twin-engined single-seat fighter aircraft for the interceptor role produced by the British manufacturer English Electric (later BAC, British Aerospace Corporation). The Lightning was in operation with the Royal Air Force and the air forces of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Crew.
- Rolls-Royce Avon 301 R
- out of production
- 04.08.1954
- 2 Turbojet Engines
The Lightning's maximum speed varied from Mach 1.7 at 36,000 ft for the earlier models F.1, F.1A, F.2 and up to Mach 2.0 at 36,000 ft for later models F.2A, F.3, F.3A, F.6 and F.53.
As far back as 1943, the British Ministry of Aircraft Production had issued a specification designated "E.24/43" for a supersonic experimental jet aircraft that would be able to achieve 1,600 KPH (1,000 MPH). Miles Aircraft came up with a concept designated the "M.52" and received a contract to build the machine.
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Crew: 1 (pilot) Top speed: 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) Range: 800 miles (1,287 km) Weapons: 2 x 30mm Aden cannon and 2 x Firestreak air-to-air missiles or 4 x 30mm Aden cannons. The English Electric Lightning aircraft in the Military Aviation hangar at the National Museum of Flight.
