Thunder & Lightnings

English Electric Lightning - Survivor XR753

F.6 XR753 - RAF Coningsby (11 Sqn mascot, displayed), Lincolnshire

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Lightning F.6 XR753 at RAF Coningsby, 7th September 2021; Alan Wilson

Built as an F.3 and first flown on 23rd June 1965, XR753 entered service with the CFE in November 1965 and later served with 5 and 23 Squadrons. She flew to Warton in early 1968 and converted to an F.6, returning to the RAF in July 1969. She continued to serve with 5 and 11 Squadrons at Binbrook until retirement when she was delivered to RAF Leeming for display.

Preserved by 11 Squadron at RAF Leeming for many years and although she wasn't generally viewable. XR753 was repainted in a slightly less than authentic overall grey scheme with 11 Squadron markings and a red nose cone to mark the disbandment of the Squadron when they retired as a Tornado F.3 unit. With their reformation as a Typhoon squadron in 2007, XR753 was moved to their new home of RAF Coningsby and was placed on display within 11 Squadron's HAS site. It can be seen and photographed from several spots outside the base, like the photo above which was taken outside of the base.

Information on this page current as of 17/12/2021, last updated by Jake

Find other photos of XR753 on the following sites:

Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net