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English
Electric Lightning (3 pics)
Lighting Mk3, XP701, 111Sqn. RAF 1972. Photo taken in flight by David Wright, from another Lightning (XS421) Lightning F.Mk 1 at it's final resting place, an aircraft graveyard somewhere in France. (Rob Vogelaar.)
Lighting Mk3, XP701, 111Sqn. RAF 1972. Photo taken in flight by David Wright, from another Lightning (XS421)
The
Lightning was Britain's first supersonic fighter. The Lightning had a maximum
speed and climbing rate that exceeded everything but was limited by it's short
range and average weaponry.
The
Lightning was the result of the P.1A which was designed after the demand
in 1947 for a supersonic research aircraft.
The
first of the three prototypes flew in August 1954, and later showed supersonic
capabilities thanks to two Bristol Siddeley turbojets without
afterburners. It was clear that this type had the qualities of an
interceptor-fighter and the name was changed into P.1B witch flew first
in April 1957 with two Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets.
After
a long development period with 20 pre-production aircraft the Lightning F.Mk1
came in use in 1960 with two 30 mm. cannon's and two Firestreak air to
air missiles.
Later
versions were:
F.Mk1A
with air to air refueling capabilities.
F.Mk
2 with improved electronics and adjustable afterburners
F.Mk
3 with Avon Mk 300 engines of 73,62 kN and underwing brackets for
disposable fuel tanks, and a straight "cut-off" tail, improved radar,
removed machine-guns, and two Red Top air to air missiles.
The
last version was the Lightning F.Mk 6 (initially the F.Mk 3A) with
a redesigned wing, and a fuel tank in the fuselage witch practically doubled the
fuel-capacity.
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English Electric /
BAC Lightning F.Mk 6
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Developing
Nation:
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United
Kingdom |
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First
Flight(s):
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August
1954 |
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Crew:
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1 |
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Wing
Span:
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10,61 m |
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Wing:
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44,08 M2 |
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Length:
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16,84 m |
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Weight
empty:
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11.340 kg. |
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Weight
Max. Load:
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18.144 kg. |
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Engine
(s):
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Two
Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets with 73,62 kN including afterburners. |
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Max.
Speed:
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2230 Kph. (Mach 2.1) |
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Max.
Height:
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17.375 m. |
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Max.
Range:
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972 Km |
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Weapons:
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- Two Red Top air to air Missiles and
two 30 mm Aden Cannons |
If
anyone can provide us with some more photo's of the Lightning, we would be grateful
to receive them by email.
(prev.
800x600 pix, no scans from books or official pics,
send
us your photo ! your name will be added with the photo online.)
Research
by M.v.Leeuwen
Last page update:
30-Dec-2008
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