This was due to both the complexity of “Lightning's” systems and shortages of spares and ground support equipment. The small-fin variants could exceed Mach 1.7, but the stability limits and shock cone thermal/strength limits made such speeds risky. The P.1's chief designer was W.E.W “Teddy” Petter, formerly chief designer at Westland Aircraft. The overall rating takes into account over. [5], Overwing fuel tank fittings were fitted to the F6 variant only and offered the aircraft extended range. var d=new Date();

Maximum speed was recorded at an impressive Mach 2.27 (roughly 1,500 miles per hour).

Slightly modified ex-RAF F.2 single-seat fighters for export to Saudi Arabia. The T.55 had a very similar fuselage to the T.5, while also using the wing and large ventral tank of the F.6.

[47], Lightning, was designed...as an intercepter fighter. (Showcased powerplant information pertains to the, (Showcased performance values pertain to the, (Showcased armament details pertain to the. “Lightning F.3”: Single-seat fighter with upgraded AI-23B radar, “Avon” 301R engines, new “Red Top” missiles, enlarged and clipped tailfin due to aerodynamics of carriage of “Red Top”, and deletion of ADEN cannon. If climbing further, pilots would accelerate to supersonic speed at the tropopause before resuming the climb.

“Sea Lightning FAW.1”: Proposed two-seat Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier capable variant with variable-geometry wing; not built.

BAC also proposed clearing the overwing hardpoints for carriage of weapons as well as drop tanks, with additional Matra JL-100 combined rocket and fuel pods, each containing 18 SNEB 68 mm (2.7 in) rockets and 227 liters (50 imp gal) of fuel, or 1,000 lb bombs being possible options. 3/11/2019 [44] The Export Lightning had all of the capability of the RAF's own Lightnings such as exceptional climb rate and agile manoeuvering. Until 2009, three Lightnings were kept flying at "Thunder City" in Cape Town, South Africa.

[31], The first operational Lightning, designated Lightning F.1, was designed as an interceptor to defend the V Force airfields in conjunction with the V Force airfield's own "last ditch" Bristol Bloodhound missile defences from enemy nuclear-armed bomber attack long enough for the also nuclear-armed V Force bombers to take-off and get clear of their airfields which, along with the dispersal airfields, would be the highest priority targets in the UK for enemy nuclear weapons.

The next variant, the F.6, was already in development, but there was a need for an interim solution to partially address the F.3's shortcomings. [80], Carroll compared the Lightning and the F-15C Eagle, having flown both aircraft, stating that: "Acceleration in both was impressive, you have all seen the Lightning leap away once brakes are released, the Eagle was almost as good, and climb speed was rapidly achieved. concerned with improving the fire prevention integrity of the engine

Suddenly the telephone would ring and it would be one of the radar controllers from around the UK ordering you to scramble immediately. Under optimum conditions, a well-equipped maintenance facility took four hours to perform an engine change so specialised ground test rigs were developed to speed up maintenance and remove the need to perform a full ground run of the engine after some maintenance tasks.

Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces Underside detail view of an English Electric Lightning in flight. [56] Directional stability decreased as speed increased, there were potentially hazardous consequences in the form of vertical fin failure if yaw was not correctly counteracted by rudder use. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Right underside view of an inbound prototype English Electric Lightning.

More of a problem was the obsolete avionics and weapons fit. Max speed Mach 2.1 1,390mph) at 40,000ft, First production version AI 23 radar, VHF radio (Later

To best perform this intercept mission, emphasis was placed on rate-of-climb, acceleration, and speed, rather than range – originally a radius of operation of 150 miles (240 km) from the V bomber airfields was specified – and combat endurance. If you have any additions or corrections then please contact us via email - All images BAE Systems / Ron Smith copyright unless otherwise shown. replaced by UHF) 2 x 30mm Aden cannon in nose 2 x Firestreak

The English Electric “Lightning” is credited with a single kill, a British “Harrier” pilot ejected and the pilot-less aircraft continued to fly, and the aircraft was shot down by a “Lightning” to prevent it possibly ending up in Soviet hands. The next two “Lightning” variants, the F.1A and F.2, saw steady but relatively minor refinement of the basic design, and the next variant, the F.3, was a major departure. and swing-wings (1:72/1:32). The shock cone was strengthened on the later “Lightning” F.2A, F.3, F.6, and F.53 models, thus allowing routine operations at up to Mach 2.0. The Lightning F.1 entered frontline squadron service with 74 Squadron under the command of Squadron Leader John "Johnny" Howe at Coltishall from 11 July 1960. Originally it was nearly identical to the F.3A with the exception that it could carry two 260-imperial-gallon (1,200 L) ferry tanks on pylons over the wings. Total of 39 built (also nine converted from F.3 and 15 from F.3A).

This was sufficient to allow Beamont to achieve Mach 2.0 (2,125 km/h) in a British aircraft for the first time, reached only 7 minutes after takeoff, but the record dash left the Lightning critically short of fuel. These aircraft had been assigned the aircraft serials WG760, WG763, and WG765 (the static airframe)[citation needed].

The first operational Lightning's saw service as an interceptor to defend the V-Force airfields during the Cold war although the range of early variants proved to be restrictive in other roles. [nb 1][16] This was a low-speed research aircraft and was designed so that different wing sweep angles could be assumed by the single aircraft. Red Top limit was Mach 1.8. This would yield a constant climb rate of approximately 20,000 ft/min. The Lightning was designed, developed, and manufactured by English Electric, which was later absorbed by the newly-formed British Aircraft Corporation.