What was significant about the English Electric Lightning?
What was significant about the English Electric Lightning?
The English Electric Lightning was Britain’s primary defender of air space during the Cold War from 1960 on. The Lightning was designed to get to its target quickly – hence its name – but it had a remarkably short endurance once in the air – 35 minutes was not unusual during a supersonic sortie.
What was the top speed of the English Electric Lightning?
1,500 mph
Lightning fact file
| Date: | 1962 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Are there any airworthy English Electric Lightnings?
Three examples of the English Electric Lightning described as “airworthy” are currently available for sale. ZU-BBD (Service Registration: XS452, pictured above) is a two-seat T. Mk5 which was reportedly built in 1965. In 1988 it was delivered to Cranfield and subsequently bought by Tony Hulls and restored.
What is the fastest RAF plane?
The fastest combat aircraft currently in service is the Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxbat Mach which hits speeds of Mach 2.83 or 2,172mph. The Foxbat was designed to reach speeds of 2,450 but engines were restricted after it emerged super high speeds led to engine damage.
What fighter jets does the RAF use?
| Royal Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Attack | General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper |
| Fighter | Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning |
| Multirole helicopter | Bell Griffin HAR2 Boeing Chinook HC4/5/6/6A Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew Westland Puma HC2 |
| Trainer helicopter | Airbus Helicopters Juno HT1 Airbus Helicopters Jupiter HT1 |
How many lightnings did the RAF have?
English Electric Lightning
| Lightning | |
|---|---|
| Introduction | 11 July 1960 (frontline service) |
| Retired | 1988 (RAF) |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force Kuwait Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force |
| Number built | 337 (including prototypes) |
Is Thunder City still open?
Thunder City, which has the world’s largest civilian-owned fleet of ex-combat jets including three English Electric Lightnings, three BAe Buccaneers, seven Hawker Hunters and a retrofitted Puma helicopter, is to cease flying operations with immediate effect.