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Early Lightning models, the F.1, F.1A, and F.2, had a maximum speed of Mach 1.7 (1,815 km/h; 1,128 mph) at 36,000 feet (11,000 m) in an ICAO standard atmosphere, and 650 knots (1,200 km/h; 750 mph) IAS at lower altitudes.
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
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.
Feb 4, 2024 · Simply achieving such speeds in any scenario is quite a feat for an aircraft with origins in the late 1940s, but the Lightning couldn't just hit 1,500 miles per hour.
- Development of The Iconic British Aircraft
- Royal Air Force Lightning Force Build-Up
- Lightning Quick Reaction Alert Operations
- Lightning Akrotiri ‘Battle Flight’
- Lightning Force Contraction
The Lightning was a radical aircraft from the outset. Born of a 1947 Ministry of Supply study, English Electric designed the P1with twin, vertically mounted engines. The first official P1A flight, with WG760, was on August 4, 1954 in the hands of Chief Test Pilot Roland Beamont. A few days later, it became the first British aircraft to break thesou...
The English Electric Lightning F.1 entered service with 74 Squadron in June 1960 at RAF Coltishall. Armament comprised two nose-mounted 30mm ADEN cannon and two Firestreak missiles. The jets’ Avon 200 engines had staged reheat, with four-position nozzle control in the reheat range. At first the type’s serviceability was poor. A number of problems b...
The 1960s saw the Lightning pre-eminent in protecting the UK Air Defence Region (UKADR). The quick reaction alert fighter force, also known as the ‘Interceptor Alert Force’ for a while, were ready to be launched 24 hours a day against unidentified aircraft approaching the UKADR. Divided into Northern and Southern Sectors, aircraft from RAF Leuchars...
In April 1967, 56 Squadron moved to RAF Akrotiri, the UK’s strategically located airfield in the eastern Mediterranean, maintaining an armed Battle Flight. John Ward, then 56 Squadron’s Weapons Instructor, recounted: “Lightning tactics were slow to develop. When we moved to Cyprus the work and environment there were completely different from the UK...
When the Jaguar replaced the RAF’s Phantomsin the ground attack role, they were re-roled for air defence work, instigating the start of the rundown of Lightning squadrons. At its peak around 1968-70, the Lightning force had been some 150 aircraft, in nine squadrons. By 1977 it was down to 35 aircraft and two squadrons, which remained nearly constan...
Powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon engines, the Lightning could accelerate to twice the speed of sound in mere minutes, making it one of the fastest interceptors in the world. Its primary mission...
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- Military History Channel
Jun 9, 2021 · With a speed of over Mach 2, more than twice the speed of the Hunter, the technologically advanced Lightning was the RAF’s first truly supersonic aircraft. Its initial climb rate of 50,000ft per minute and ceiling of over 60,000ft made it an exceptional interceptor.
