BAC (BAe) Lightning
Lightning F.1 to 6 and export versions
(data for F.6)
Origin: English Electric Aviation (now British Aerospace), UK
Type: Single-seat all-weather interceptor
Engines: Two 15.680!b (7112kg) thrust Rolls-Royce Avon 302 augmented
turbojets.
Dimensions: span 34ft 10in (10°6m); length 53ft 3in (16:25m): height
19ft Zin (5-95m)
Weights: Emply about 28,000Ib (12.700kg): loaded 50,000!b (22.680kg)
Performance: Maximum speed 1.500mph (2415km/h) at 40.000ft
(12,200m); initial climb 50,000ft (15.240m)/min; service ceiling over
60,000ft (18,290m); range without overwing tanks 800 miles (1290km).
Armament: Interchangeable packs for two all-attitude Red Top or stern
chase Firestreak guided missiles; option of twe 30mm Aden cannon in
forward part of belly tank; export versions up to 6,000Ib (2722kg) bombs or
other offensive stores above and below wings
History: First flight (P.18) 4 April 1957, (first production
1959; (first F.6) 17 April 1964.
Users: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UK.
) 30 October
Development: As he had been with the Canberra. “Teddy” Petter was again
ind the award, in 1947. of a study contract for a supersonic
res! Later this was built and flown as the P.1 of August 1954
exceeding Mach 1 on two crude unaugmented Sapphire engines mounted
‘one above and behind the other and ted by a piain nose inlet. In mid-1949
specification F.23/49 was issued for a supersonic fighter. and after com
plete redesign the P.1B was produced and flown in 1957. This had a new
fuselage with a two-shock intake, the central cone being intended to house
Ferranti Airpass radar. The Avon engines were fitted with primitive after
burning, allowing a speed of Mach 2 to be attained on 25 November 1958
Helped by 20 pre-production aircraft, the Lightning F.1 was cleared for
service in 1960. Though relatively complicated, so that the flying rate and
maintenance burden were terrible in comparison with more modem aircraft
these supersonic all-weather interceptors at last gave the RAF a moder
fighter with radar, guided missiles (heat- homing Firestreaks) and supersonic
performance, Production was held back by the belief that all manned fightersoO. = =
Above: Lightning F.6, with upper side elevation showing F.1
were obsolete (as clearly set forth in the Defence White Paper of April 1957)
but the Treasury were persuaded to allow the improved F.2 to be built in
1961 with fully variable afterburner and all-weather navigation. Eventually
ag the error of the 1957 doctrine became apparent, the Mk 3 was allowed in
1964, with more powerful gines. more f ger fin. collision-course
fire-control and allattitude Red Top missiles; but it was decided to fit no
guns, earlier marks having had two 30mm Aden cannon. Finally. in 1966.
the belated decision was taken to follow the advice of BAC and almost
double the fuel capacity and also fit the kinked and cambered wing (first
flown in 195%) to improve operation at much increased weights. The T.4
and 7.5 are dual conversion trainers equivalent to the F.2 and F.3. For
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, BAC paid for development of the Lightning as a
multi-role fighter and attack aircraft. adding 57 to the production total to
pring it up to 338.
Left: One of the Lightning F.2A interceptors of
92 Sqn, RAF Germany (a unit since re-equipped
with Phantoms) in the one-colour green applied
over all upper surfaces to render them less
conspicuous when viewed from above.
Below: This Lightning is an F.6, the final standard
to which the F.2A (a complete rebuild of a much
earlier type) was a near approximation. It is
shown unpainted serving with 23 Sqn, and was
photographed whilst formating on a Soviet ‘Bear’
reconnaissance and electronic-warfare aircraft.
Today No 23 also flies Phantoms.