History of the Lightning
The Lightning was Britain's first true supersonic fighter aircraft, able to attain Mach
2.3 (1,520mph) in level flight. Its performance was phenomenal. From 'brakes off' a
normally laden F.Mk2 took less than 150 seconds to reach 12,190m (40,000ft).
The Lightning's primary role was the defence of UK airspace, however for much of the Cold
War two additional RAF Lightning squadrons based in Germany provided an immediateresponse interceptor force, maintaining the integrity of the North German air defence border.
The development of the Lightning began back in
1947 under a team led by W.E.W. 'Teddy' Petter
to study a Mach 1.5 aircraft. By 1948, a design
configuration similar to the eventual Lightning
was undergoing wind tunnel testing. A year later,
a contract for two prototypes was awarded to
English Electric and the P1 aircraft was flown for
the first time on August 4th 1954.
The design proceeded to the P1.A and
subsequently P1.B prototypes before the eventual
Lightning Mk.1 emerged at RAF Wattisham with
No.74 Squadron in June 1960. Throughout
the early years in service the basic design was enhanced, initially in the development of
the F.Mk1A through to the F.Mk2, the F.Mk3 and finally to the F.Mk6 (very similar to the
Aeropark's F.Mk53)
With the advance of such radical technology, the RAF also required a trainer version of the
Lightning to provide adequate instruction for its new breed of pilots. The T.Mk4 and T.Mk5
were a two seat (side by side) version of the aircraft that were also fully operational.
