English Electric Lightning

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English Electric Lightning
Lightning F2 landing, 1964
Type Interceptor
Manufacturer English Electric
Designed by Teddy Petter
Maiden flight 4 August 1954 (P1A) 4 April 1957 [1]
Introduced December 1959
Retired 1988 (RAF)
Primary users Royal Air Force
Kuwait Air Force
Royal Saudi Air Force
Number built 337 (including prototypes) [1]

The English Electric Lightning (later the BAC Lightning) was a supersonic fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, particularly remembered for its great speed and natural metal exterior. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. Greatly renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor, RAF pilots described it as "being saddled to a skyrocket" [1].

The Lightning was used throughout much of its service life by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force. The aircraft was a stunning performer at airshows; it broke the world air-speed record and was the first aircraft capable of supercruise. The Lightning was also one of the highest performance planes ever used in formation aerobatics.

In July 2006, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was officially named "Lightning II" to distinguish it from English Electric Lightning and the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.

Contents

The first two Lightning prototypes
The first two Lightning prototypes

The prototype, known as the English Electric P1, was built to satisfy the British Air Ministry's 1947 specification F23/49 and flew for the first time from RAF Boscombe Down on 4 August 1954. This specification followed the cancellation of the Air Ministry's 1942 E.24/43 supersonic research aircraft specification which had resulted in the Miles M.52. The Lightning shared a number of innovations first planned for the Miles M.52 including the shock cone and all-flying tailplane, the latter described by Chuck Yeager as the single most significant contribution to the final success of supersonic flight.

The P1's designer was W.E.W. Petter, formerly chief designer at Westland Aircraft. The design was controversial and the Short SB5 was built to test wing sweep and tailplane combinations. The original combination was proved correct. The forerunner of the Lightning series was the P1A and PIB flying "proof-of-concept" aircraft. Looking very much like the production series, the prototypes were distinguished by the rounded-triangular intakes, short fins and lack of radar or operational equipment [1]. On 25 November 1958, the P1B became the first British aircraft to fly at Mach 2 [1].

The Lightning was specifically designed as a point defence interceptor - essentially a guided missile-armed, air superiority fighter optimised to defend mainland Britain against bomber attacks. In order to reduce cross sectional area of the fuselage and improve performance, the fuel capacity was highly restricted. It was armed with two 30 mm ADEN cannons and two air-to-air missiles, at first the de Havilland Firestreak and later the Hawker Siddeley Red Top.

A unique way of minimising the drag of the twin engine installation was put forward by Petter. This involved stacking the engines vertically (staggered to avoid too much weight aft, with the lower engine forward of the upper), effectively tucking them behind the cockpit, fed from the nose and achieving minimum frontal area. This effectively gave twice the thrust of its contemporaries for an increase in frontal area of only 50%. The Ferranti AI23 AIRPASS: Airborne Interception Radar and Pilot Attack Sight System was mounted in the shock cone.

Limitations of fuel capacity dominated this aircraft's design as its fuselage was nearly all engines and ducting, and thus could not hold much fuel. Hence all available room was adapted to the purpose of holding fuel. The flaps were even used as fuel tanks, and the landing gear had very narrow tyres that retracted outward so that there could be greater tankage inboard. This also meant that when the addition of drop tanks for greater range was considered, they could not be placed beneath the wing and were mounted on top instead. When the aerodynamic principle of the area rule became standard practice, a ventral tank was added to the fuselage so the aircraft could carry more fuel while being more aerodynamic.

English Electric Lightning of the Saudi Air Force
English Electric Lightning of the Saudi Air Force

The first operational aircraft, a pre-production P1B (XG336), arrived at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk in December 1959. From 1960 the production mark F1 served initially with 74 Squadron. An improved variant the F2 first flew on 11 July 1961 and entered service with 19 Squadron at the end of 1962. The F3 was first flown on 16 June 1962 and the longer-range F6 on 16 June 1965. The versions sold to Saudi Arabia were essentially similar to the T5 and F6 models in UK service and this final production batch reverted to the classic natural metal external finish which lasted well in the drier Arabian climate.

During the 1960s, as strategic awareness increased and a multitude of alternative fighter designs were developed by Warsaw Pact and NATO members, the Lightning's shortcomings in terms of range and firepower became increasingly apparent. The withdrawal of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms from Royal Navy service enabled these slower but much longer-ranged aircraft to be added to the RAFs interceptor force alongside those withdrawn from Germany which were being replaced by SEPECAT Jaguars in the ground attack role. Later the Tornado F3s also arrived to defend UK airspace. While slower and less agile than the Lightning, the Tornado carries a much larger armament load and much more advanced avionics. Lightnings were slowly phased out of service between 1974 and 1988, although much testing and modification was needed to keep them in air-worthy condition due to the high number of flight hours accumulated.

The English Electric Lightning is credited with a single kill, ironically a British aircraft- a Harrier pilot ejected, but the pilotless aircraft continued to fly. The order was given to shoot down the aircraft and the Lightning achieved this successfully.[2]

In their final years of UK service, all RAF Lightnings were based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire and many were camouflaged to make them less conspicuous when flying at low level. They tended to defend the Flamborough Head Sector of airspace above the North Sea. These later aircraft were the single-seater F3 and F6 and the twin seat trainer variant T5, all constructed by British Aircraft Corporation and distinguished from earlier versions by their flat topped fins. In their last year of service their pilots regularly pushed the aircraft to their limits as they used up the remaining hours of fatigue time.

Many Lightnings are conserved in museum collections where they delight visitors with their clean sleek lines, evocative of the high speeds that they once attained. The Short SB5 and a P1A are at the RAF Museum, Cosford. The Civil Aviation Authority refused a licence for the surviving airworthy examples to perform at air shows in the UK but there are a few flying in South Africa (see Operators below).

Lightning XM215 at Farnborough Air Show, England, in 1964
Lightning XM215 at Farnborough Air Show, England, in 1964

The Lightning’s speed and climb performance were excellent not just by 1950s or 1960s standards but even compared with modern operational fighters. Its initial rate of climb was 50,000 ft per minute (15 km/min). The Mirage IIIE climbed initially at 30,000 ft/min (9 km/min), the MiG-21 managed 36,090 ft/min (11 km/min), and the Tornado F3 43,000 ft/min (13 km/min). The official ceiling was a secret to the general public and low security RAF documents simply stated 60,000+ ft (18 000+ m), although it was well known within the RAF to be capable of much greater heights; the official maximum altitude mainly being determined by cockpit pressurisation reliability and safety. Recently the actual performance ceiling has been made public by the late Brian Carroll, a former RAF Lightning pilot and ex-Lightning Chief Examiner, who reports taking a Lightning F53 up to 87,300 feet (26 600 m) at which level "Earth curvature was visible and the sky was quite dark".

In 1984, during a major NATO exercise, Flt Lt Mike Hale intercepted an American U-2 at a height which they had previously considered safe from interception. Records show that Hale climbed to 88,000 ft (26,800 m) in his Lightning F3. Hale also participated in time-to-height and acceleration trials against F-104 Starfighters from Aalborg. He reports that the Lightnings won all races easily with the exception of the low level supersonic acceleration, which was a "dead heat".[3]

Carroll reports in a side-by-side comparison of the Lightning and the F-15C Eagle (which he also flew) 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. Takeoff roll is between 2,000 & 3,000 feet [600 to 900m], depending upon military or maximum afterburner-powered takeoff. The Lightning was quicker off the ground, reaching 50 ft [15 m] height in a horizontal distance of 1,630 feet [500m]".

In British Airways trials in April 1985, Concorde was offered as a target to NATO fighters including F-15s, F-16s, F-14s, Mirages, F-104s - but only Lightning XR749, flown by Mike Hale and described by him as "a very hot ship, even for a Lightning", managed to overtake Concorde on a stern conversion intercept.[4]

Despite its remarkable acceleration, altitude and top speed, the Lightning inevitably found itself outclassed by newer fighters in terms of range, radar, avionics, weapons load and air-to-air capability. The short range of the Lightning – just 900 miles – was a significant disadvantage.

Lightning XM974 at Farnborough Airshow, England, in 1964
Lightning XM974 at Farnborough Airshow, England, in 1964
Lightning F Mk6
Lightning F Mk6
P1A
  • Single-seat supersonic research aircraft.
  • Two prototypes built and one static test airframe
P1B
  • Single-seat operational prototypes.
  • Three prototypes built
  • 20 pre-production aircraft (so-called Development Batch)[5]
F1
F1A
  • Single-seat fighter
  • Delivered in 1961
  • Now the "BAC Lightning"
  • Avon 210R engines
  • Addition of in-flight refuelling probe
  • UHF Radio
  • A total of 28 built
F2
  • Single-seat fighter (an improved variant of the F1)
  • Delivered in 1962
  • A total of 44 built with 31 later modified to F2A standard
  • Five later modified to F52 for export to Saudia Arabia
F2A
  • Single-seat fighter (F2s upgraded to near F6 standard)
  • A total of 31 converted from F2
  • Avon 211R engines
  • Retained ADEN cannon and Firestreak of F2 (The Firestreak Pack could be replaced with an Aden Cannon Pack to give the aircraft four Aden Cannon)
  • Larger Ventral Tank and Arrester Hook
  • About two hours endurance
F3
  • Single-seat fighter
  • Upgraded radar - AI-23B
  • Avon 301R engines
  • Clipped tailfin
  • Firestreak changed for Red Top missiles
  • ADEN cannon removed
  • A total of 70 built (at least nine were converted to F6 standard)
F3A
  • Single-seat fighter
  • Extended range, 800 miles with large ventral tank
  • New cambered wings
  • A total of 16 built at the end of F3 production, known also as an F3 Interim version or F6 Interim Version
  • 15 modified later to full F6 standard[6]
T4
  • Two-seat side-by-side training version, based on the F1A.
  • Two prototypes and 20 production built
  • Two aircraft later converted to T5 prototypes
  • Two aircraft later converted to T54
T5
  • Two-seat side-by-side training version, based on the F3.
  • 22 production aircraft built
  • One former RAF aircraft later converted to T55 for Saudia Arabia (crashed before delivery)
  • Two former RAF aircraft later civilian operated
F6
  • Single-seat fighter (an improved longer-range variant of the F3)
  • New wings with better efficiency and subsonic performance, increased fuel storage
  • Overwing fuel tanks and larger ventral fuel tank
  • Change back to 30 mm cannons (initially no cannons but later in the forward part of ventral pack rather than in nose).
  • Two x Red Top missile
  • A total of 39 built (also 9 converted from F3 and 15 from F3A)
F52
  • Slightly modified ex-RAF F2 single-seat fighters for export to Saudi Arabia (five converted from F2).
F53
  • Export version of the F6 with pylons for bombs or unguided rocket pods (44 × 2 in (50 mm)
  • A total of 46 built and one converted from F6 (12 F53Ks for the Kuwaiti Air Force, 34 F53s for the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force, one aircraft crashed before delivery)
  • Used air-to-ground in dispute near border with South Yemen in 1969 with great success
T54
  • Ex-RAF T4 two-seat trainers supplied to Saudi Arabia (two converted).
T55
  • Two-seat side-by-side training aircraft (export version of the T5).
  • Eight built (six T55s for the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force, two T.55Ks for the Kuwaiti Air Force and one converted from T5 that crashed before delivery)

Total production was 277 single-seat fighters and 52 two-seater trainers, including RAF and export aircraft.

  • British journalist and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson borrowed a Lightning (serial XM172) which was temporarily placed in his garden and documented on Clarkson's TV show "Speed".
  • Fuselages from scrapped Lightnings were used in the sci-fi movie Wing Commander. These were the basis for a space fighter called the CF-117b Rapier.

Flag of Kuwait Kuwait
  • Kuwait Air Force operated both the F53K single-seat fighter and the T55K training version from 1968 to 1977
Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom

Flag of South Africa South Africa
  • Thunder City, a civilian company based in South Africa operates two Lightning T5 and two single-seat F6 (current September 2006).[7]

Preserved Lightning at East Fortune
Preserved Lightning at East Fortune
T.55 55-713 at the Midland Air Museum that retains its Royal Saudi Air Force markings
T.55 55-713 at the Midland Air Museum that retains its Royal Saudi Air Force markings

The following aircraft are on public display:

  • WG760 P.1A on display at the RAF Museum Cosford, England
  • WG763 P.1B on display at the Manchester Museum os Science and Industry, Manchester, England
  • XG329 Lightning F1/3 on display at the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, England
  • XG337 Lightning F1/3 on display at the RAF Museum Cosford, England.
  • XM135 Lightning F1 on display at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, England.
  • XN730 Lightning F2A on display at the Luftwaffe Museum, Gatow, Germany
  • XN769 Lightning F2A on display at the Malta Aviation Museum, Ta'qali, Malta
  • XN776 Lightning F2A on display at the Royal Scottish Museum of Flight, East Fortune, Scotland.
  • XN782 Lightning F2A on display at the Luftfahrtausstellung Museum, Hermskeil, Germany.
  • XR728 Lightning F6 on display with LPG, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire. Taxi-able.
  • XR749 Lightning F3 on display at the Highland Aviation Museum, Inverness, Scotland.
  • XR771 Lightning F6 on display at the Midland Air Museum, Coventry, England.
  • XS417 Lightning T5 on display at the Newark Air Museum, Newark, England.
  • XS459 Lightning T5 on display at the Fenland and West Norfolk Aviation Museum, Wisbech, England.
  • XS897 Lightning F6 on display at Aeroventure, Doncaster, England.
  • XS903 Lightning F6 on display at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, England.
  • XS904 Lightning F6 on display with LPG, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire. Taxi-able.
  • XS925 Lightning F6 on display at the RAF Museum, Hendon, England.
  • ZF578 Lightning F53 on display as XR753 at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, England.
  • ZF583 Lightning F53 on display at the Dumfires and Galloway Aviation Museum, Dumfires, Scotland.
  • ZF588 Lightning F53 on display at the East Midlands Airport Airpark, Castle Donington, England.
  • ZF592 Lightning F53 on display as 53-686 at the City of Norwich Airport Museum, Norwich, England
  • ZF593 Lightning F53 on display at the Warner-Robins Museum of Aviation, Georgia, USA.
  • ZF598 Lightning T55 on display as 55-713 at the Midland Air Museum, Coventry, England.

Orthographically projected diagram of the English Electric Lightning Mk 1

Data from Air Vectors[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 55 ft 3 in (16.84 m)
  • Wingspan: 34 ft 10 in (10.62 m)
  • Height: 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m)
  • Wing area: 474.5 ft² (44.1 m²)
  • Empty weight: 28,040 lb (12,720 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 41,700 lb (18,900 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Avon 301R afterburning turbojets
    • Dry thrust: 13,220 lbf (58.86 kN) each
    • Thrust with afterburner: 16,360 lbf (72.77 kN) each

Performance

Armament

Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e Winchester 2006, p. 82.
  2. ^ English Electric Lightning history
  3. ^ Lightning.org Lightning archive
  4. ^ Lightning.org Lightning
  5. ^ Lightning.org
  6. ^ Lightning.org
  7. ^ Company website
  8. ^ Goebel, Greg. The English Electric (BAC) Lightning, Air Vectors, 1 April 2005. [1] Access date: 31 July 2007
  9. ^ BAC Lightning, English Electric
Bibliography
  • Caygill, Peter. Lightning from the Cockpit: Flying the Supersonic Legend. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword Books Ltd., 2004. ISBN 1-84415-082-8.
  • Winchester, Jim, ed. "English Electric Lightning." Military Aircraft of the Cold War (The Aviation Factfile). Rochester, Kent, UK: The Grange plc., 2006. ISBN 1-84013-929-7.

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