Thunder & Lightnings

English Electric Lightning

Photo Gallery

History Memories Survivors Profiles Gallery Walkaround Models Links, References & Credits

Advertising

A really rather nice early advert for the P.1; a skyscape combined with the shock wave patterns generated by a wind-tunnel model of the P.1. A Rolls-Royce advert from the 1950s; these were the days when aircraft were described not only by their name but also by their powerplant. As the engine makes or breaks an aircraft, it's strange that this practice has now fallen by the wayside. Another RR advert, this one from 1957. Later on with the P.1B now named the Lightning, this advert depicts XA847 in the initial configuration with no belly tank and the small tail. This advert may give rise to some mirth about the economy angle... Another Rolls Royce advert, and even now the Lightning is the only all-British mach 2 aircraft to ever operate in RAF service. Late 1966, and a BAC advert blowing their righteous trumpet.

Hugh Trevor Collection

All these pictures are kindly supplied by that lucky, lucky man... Hugh Trevor of the Lightning Preservation Group. If you want to use them for anything other than personal use, contact Hugh. As you can see, he's been to South Africa to visit Thunder City...

At rest in Mike Beachyhead's hangar - XS452 (ZU-BBD) on the left and XS451 (ZU-BEX) on the right. XS452 basking in the sun. XS452 taxiing out. XS452 in the air - where she belongs! A better look at XS451, waiting her turn... XS451 out in the sun - note refuelling probe, Mike is planning to use his Buccaneers to refuel the Lightnings! XS451 looking purposeful... A sight so many of us have been denied for so long. Doesn't look much like Binbrook, does it? ...ah... I can practically smell the fumes and feel the noise from this take-off. Lady in waiting - XR773 waiting to join her sisters in the air in 2001. Quite a view this shot, with three Lightnings, two Hunters and a Buccaneer hiding outside the hangar door. Attach wing A to fuselage B... the ultimate Airfix kit!

Michael Hall Collection

All these pictures are kindly supplied by Michael Hall from his collection, which would appear to consist of nothing but top quality photos of just about everything the RAF have flown for the last 40 years! If you want to use them for anything other than personal use, contact Michael.

F.1A XM192 displaying at Biggin Hill in September 1973; Michael's first Lightning photo, and what a superb shot! XM192 was retired only a few months later. F.6 XS897 in the static at RAF Lakenheath's airshow of 1975. F.6 XS897 in the static at RAF Lakenheath's airshow of 1975. F.6 XS897 in the static at RAF Lakenheath's airshow of 1975. The dump at RAF Wattisham in 1975; spares-recovered F.1As await the axe. F.3 XR751 in the static at RAF St. Mawgan, August 1975. F.3 XR751, inverted pass, Biggin Hill, September 1975. XR751 was the display aircraft at a number of airshows in the mid/late seventies. F.6 XR773 at RAF Greenham Common, August 1976. Three F.1s acting as part of an airfield attack set-piece at the 1977 RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain airshow. Nominally on charge to the Leuchars Target Facilities Flight, Michael says they looked more like decoy aircraft to him. F.1(DB) XG337 on a rare trip outside at Cosford's Aerospace Museum in July 1978. T.5 XS416 of the Lightning Training Flight at RAF Binbrook in September 1978.

Share via Twitter   Facebook   Email   Other

Site contents copyright © 2012 Damien Burke/Handmade by Machine Ltd.
This page last updated on Thursday 19th January 2012

Visitor Comments

28 people have commented on this page. This is comment section 1 of 3.

Alex Donald from Fife Flag

Posted at 9:36am on Monday, January 30th, 2012

Loved the first time i saw it flying over our house. It's the same now it's not flying.

Dave Evans from Lincolnshire Flag

Posted at 4:10pm on Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Had the pleasure of serving with 5 Sqdn and LTF at RAF Binbrook 79-85. Still occasionally working on Lightnings at the LPG Bruntingthorpe.

SIMON STOKES from UAE Flag

Posted at 1:12pm on Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Truly awesome site .The Lightning is my all time favourite Aircraft.
I can't wait to experience a fast taxi at Bruntingthorpe.Keep up the goodwork.

David Murray from Wales Flag

Posted at 7:56pm on Thursday, April 28th, 2011

I served on 92Sqn at Gutersloh in the late 60s. Loved the Lightning but hard work for electricians.Great great aircraft.Happy days.

Martin Lightfoot from Aylesbury Flag

Posted at 11:59am on Saturday, February 19th, 2011

I was lucky enough to be posted onto these fine aircraft in 1986 (LTF), as my first posting in the RAF as a sooty!! I stayed until the end of LTF in '88.

Happy days

David Lloyd from Hampshire Flag

Posted at 11:58am on Monday, December 27th, 2010

Brief spell on 74 Sqn - easy aircraft for Wireless trade.

Bernie Powell from lincolnshire Flag

Posted at 11:45am on Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Fine aircraft ,Ahead of it's time .

David Tate from UK Flag

Posted at 7:25pm on Saturday, November 6th, 2010

If this plane ever moved your soul, you can't help keying it into the search engine occasionally. Great site!
In 1967 they came to RAF Gutersloh in Germany, where my Dad was a Fighter Pilot on photorecon' & ground attack Hunters. The Lightning was utterly overwhelming and quite simply 'fab'!
I was a 'Wolf Cub' with the 'Boy Scouts' and from our club house on the 'peritrack' we would stop our Cricket & Softball games to watch them 'scramble'. We'd stop again half an hour later when they had landed,... read more »read more »

PHILLIP WILLIAMS from AUSTRALIA Flag

Posted at 6:02am on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Worked on lightning mk3 in RAF on simulators UK & Cyprus hope to see them in Cape Town Sth Africa in Jan 2011 . Fantastic Plane

Geoff Parselle from Bradford on Avon Wilts Flag

Posted at 8:02pm on Saturday, December 19th, 2009

I spent two years working on Lightnings 1964-66 at RAF Wattisham (and RAF Akrotiri) with 56 and 111 Sqns. I was an RAF Photographer and the aircraft carried gun cameras (F1A) and Vis- recorders (Mk3) and we would process the films after each flight. In 1965 111Sqn was the large aircraft aero display team (flying 12 Lightnings together in a roll is something special). I used to stand about 20 yards off the side of the runway filming the take off and display of these aircraft. I stood at about the point t... read more »read more »

Next
Add Comment
Your name:
Your email:
Your location:
Country (flag):
Your comments:
 
Loading...