Aircraft record
English Electric Lightning
Lightning · English Electric · United Kingdom
- Roles
- Interceptor (Primary)Fighter
- Era
- Cold War
- Status
- Retired
Reference data
Quick facts
- First flight
- 1957
- Manufacturer
- English Electric
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Status
- Retired
Reference data
Historical Content
Development and History
Aircraft family
The English Electric Lightning was developed as a British supersonic interceptor during the Cold War. It emerged from the P1 experimental aircraft program and was designed to respond rapidly to approaching hostile aircraft. [1]
Aircraft family
The first P1B Lightning flew on April 4, 1957. The Lightning entered RAF frontline service with No. 74 Squadron in 1960. [1]
Design and Interception Role
Aircraft family
The Lightning combined high-speed performance with radar, navigation equipment and air-to-air weapons for interception missions. [1]
Aircraft family
Its design placed particular emphasis on reaching approaching aircraft quickly, making it an important part of Britain's air-defense system during the Cold War. [1]
Operational Service
Aircraft family · RAF service
The RAF operated the Lightning in frontline roles until 1988. Its principal responsibility was intercepting potentially hostile aircraft approaching British-controlled airspace. [1][2]
Aircraft family · RAF service
The Lightning remained in service for nearly three decades despite changing expectations about the future of manned interceptors. [2]
Reference data
Specifications
Representative Variant Specifications
Lightning F.6
These specifications apply to the Lightning F.6 variant and should not be read as values for every Lightning version.
Dimensions
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.84 m55 ft 3 in |
| Wingspan | 10.62 m34 ft 10 in |
Performance
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | 1,366 km849 mi |
Powerplant
turbojet · Lightning F.6
Rolls-Royce Avon 301R
Quantity: 2
Reference data
Variants
Recorded variants of this aircraft family. Variant entries here do not create separate public pages.
Reference data
Sources
- English Electric Lightning F.6, XR770RAF Manston History MuseumLightning F.6 representative variant specifications
- English Electric Lightning F1/P1BRoyal Air Force MuseumDevelopment and History · Aircraft family · Design and Interception Role · Aircraft family · Operational Service · Aircraft family · RAF service
- Britain's Fastest PilotsRoyal Air ForceOperational Service · Aircraft family · RAF service