Thunder & Lightnings

English Electric Lightning - Survivors

XN774
Sadly not all can be saved - XN774 was used for fire crew training duties, ending up as a prop in a crash training scenario at RAF Coningsby before finally being buried under a pile of gravel; Nick Challoner

Lightnings have thankfully survived retirement very well, with many airframes preserved throughout the UK (and a few elsewhere). Some are even flying, though not in the UK. The sheer popularity of the Lightning is evident in the number that have ended up in museums - and not only just parked on the nearest bit of grass, but often pampered with nice air-conditioned hangars! Given the importance of the Lightning in beginning Britain's defence exports to the Middle East and its advanced design for its time, it is only fitting that you don't have to travel far to find at least one of these wonderful pieces of aviation history.

The list here is compiled from a number of sources, with particular credit to Wrecks & Relics, Military Aircraft Markings, Lightnings Live On, Demobbed and of course many visitor contributions.

Click on the serial of a survivor entry for further information. Please comment on any individual survivor entry you feel requires an update!

Complete aircraft

SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
WG768SB.5RAF Museum Cosford, (stored), Shropshire12/06/2023
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
WG760P.1ARAF Museum Cosford, (stored), Shropshire12/06/2023
WG763P.1ABoscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire18/03/2023
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XA847P.1BGiles Howell (stored), Kettleburgh, Suffolk20/06/2021
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XG313F.1RSAF, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
XG329F.1Ian Hancock, Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, Norfolk08/06/2023
XG337F.1RAF Museum Midlands, RAF Cosford, Shropshire24/04/2022
XM135F.1Imperial War Museum, Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire28/05/2023
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XM172F.1ALakes Lightnings, Spark Bridge, Cumbria08/06/2023
XM173F.1ADyson Ltd. (on display in staff canteen), Malmesbury, Wiltshire18/06/2021
XM178F.1AAssociation des Amis du Musee du Chateau, Savigny-Les-Beaune, France08/06/2026
XM192F.1ACharles Ross, Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire08/06/2023
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XN730F.2AMilitärhistorische Museum der Bundeswehr, Flugplatz Gatow, Berlin, Germany08/06/2023
XN776F.2ANational Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, Lothian, Scotland27/06/2022
XN782F.2ALuftfahrtausstellung Museum, Hermeskeil, Germany08/06/2023
XN784F.2AZruc Air Park, Pilsen, Czech Republic16/06/2022
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XP706F.3South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, Doncaster, South Yorkshire22/06/2022
XP745F.3Vanguard Haulage, Greenford, Greater London08/06/2023
XR713 ('XR718')F.3Lightning Preservation Group, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire02/06/2022
XR718F.3Anthony Harker, Over Dinsdale, Darlington, Durham24/10/2021
XR749F.3Score Group PLC (gate guard), Glenugie Engineering Works, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire29/04/2012
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XL629T.4MoD Boscombe Down (displayed near gate), Wiltshire08/05/2023
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XS416T.5Dave and Lesley Blissett, Binbrook, Lincolnshire31/08/2021
XS417T.5Newark Air Museum, Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire13/04/2021
XS420T.5Richard Hall, Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum (gate guard), Farnborough, Hampshire22/12/2022
XS422T.5Anglo-American Lightning Organisation (restoration to fly), Stennis International Airport, Hancock County, Mississippi, USA17/10/2008
XS456T.5Skegness Airfield, Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire29/12/2020
XS458T.5Russell Carpenter, Cranfield, Bedfordshire05/07/2021
XS459T.5Ian Black, Binbrook, Lincolnshire03/05/2021
ZU-BBD (ex XS452)T.5Privately owned, (for sale, stored), Cape Town International Airport, South Africa25/11/2022
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XP693 (ex ZU-BEY, ex G-FSIX)F.6Ian Black, Binbrook. Lincolnshire12/07/2023
'XP765' (really XS897)F.6Lakes Lightnings, RAF Coningsby (29 Sqn, displayed), Lincolnshire22/06/2022
XR724F.6Lightning Association, Binbrook airfield, Lincolnshire07/04/2023
XR725F.6Charles Ross, Chestnut Farm, Binbrook village, Lincolnshire07/04/2023
XR728F.6Lightning Preservation Group (runner), Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire02/06/2022
XR753F.6RAF Coningsby (11 Sqn mascot, displayed), Lincolnshire17/12/2021
XR755F.6Ernie Marshall, near Callington, Cornwall11/10/2022
XR770F.6RAF Manston History Museum, Manston, Kent30/12/2015
XR771F.6Midland Air Museum, Coventry Airport, Warwickshire16/05/2022
XR773 (ZU-BEW, ex G-OPIB)F.6Privately owned, (stored), Cape Town International Airport, South Africa25/11/2022
XS903F.6Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire25/09/2023
XS904F.6Lightning Preservation Group (runner), Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire14/11/2022
XS919F.6Henstridge Airfield (stored), Somerset01/07/2014
XS925F.6RAF Museum London, Hendon, London23/04/2023
XS928F.6BAE Systems, Warton (displayed within the site), Lancashire17/10/2008
XS929F.6RAF Akrotiri (gate guardian), Cyprus05/08/2021
XS936F.6Roy Flood, Castle Air/Castle Motors, on A38 near Liskeard, Cornwall11/10/2022
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
52-609 (ex 52-655, XN767)F.52Technical Services Institute, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
52-610 (ex 52-656, XN770)F.52Saqr al Jazira (RSAF) Museum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia23/10/2008
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
53-412F.53Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait28/11/2021
53-415F.53RKAFB Al Jaber (gate guardian), Kuwait
53-416F.53RKAFB Al Jaber (gate guardian), Kuwait
53-417F.53RKAFB Al Jaber (gate guardian), Kuwait
53-418F.53Educational Science Museum, Kuwait City, Kuwait28/11/2021
53-420F.53Kuwait Technology Institute, Kuwait28/11/2021
53-421F.53MOD Mubarak Camp Headquarters, Kuwait-City. Kuwait24/12/2021
53-422F.53RKAFB Ali Al Salem (gate guardian), Kuwait28/11/2021
53-423F.53RKAFB Ali Al Salem (gate guardian), Kuwait28/11/2021
53-671F.53Gatwick Aviation Museum (runner), Charlwood, Surrey07/08/2023
53-684? ('1303')F.53Displayed, Taif, Saudi Arabia07/02/2009
53-687F.53RSAF, Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia
53-698F.53RSAF Tabuk (gate guardian?), Saudi Arabia23/10/2008
53-699F.53RSAF Tabuk, Saudi Arabia23/10/2008
'XP748' (really ZF583, ex 53-681)F.53Solway Aviation Museum, Carlisle Airport, Cumbria20/08/2023
'XR753' (really ZF578, ex 53-670)F.53Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, West Sussex19/10/2008
'XS933' (really ZF594, ex 53-696)F.53North East Land Sea & Air Museum, Sunderland Airport, Tyne & Wear27/06/2022
'XS935' (really ZF580, ex 53-672)F.53Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre, RAF St. Mawgan, Cornwall11/10/2022
ZF581 (ex 53-675)F.53Bentwaters Cold War Museum, Bentwaters airfield, Suffolk09/12/2020
ZF584 (ex 53-682)F.53Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland31/08/2021
ZF588 (ex 53-693)F.53East Midlands Aeropark, Castle Donnington, Derbyshire25/02/2022
ZF591 (ex 53-685)F.53Location unknown
ZF592 (ex 53-686)F.53City of Norwich Aviation Museum, Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk05/12/2022
ZF593 (ex 53-692)F.53Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona, USA15/06/2021
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
54-607 (ex 54-650, XM989)T.54RSAF (displayed), Dhahran Airport, Saudi Arabia
54-608 (ex 54-651, XM992)T.54Prince Sultan Air Base (gate guard), Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia01/11/2008
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
55-410T.55RKAFB Ali Al Salem (wreckage, derelict), Kuwait28/11/2021
55-411T.55Air Museum, Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait
55-713 (ZF598)T.55Midland Air Museum, Coventry Airport, Warwickshire16/05/2022
55-716T.55Saqr al Jazira (RSAF) Museum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia23/10/2008

Nose/cockpit/other sections

SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
N/ASimulatorTangmere Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, West Sussex22/01/2012
'XM171'SimulatorFarnborough Air Sciences Trust (cockpit), Farnborough, Hampshire20/10/2008
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XG325F.1Privately owned, Thetford, Norfolk22/08/2012
XG331F.1Jet Age Museum (cockpit only, stored), Gloucestershire19/10/2008
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XM144F.1AAtlantic Air Adventures, Shannon, Clare, Eire19/08/2022
XM169F.1AKen Ward, Morayvia, Kinloss, Scotland19/07/2021
XM191F.1APrivately owned, North Scarle, Lincolnshire19/10/2008
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XN769F.2Malta Aviation Museum, Ta' Qali, Malta24/06/2021
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XN726F.2ABoscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire30/03/2023
XN728 (8546M)F.2ADarren Swinn, Lincolnshire01/09/2021
XN795F.2ACarl Lamb, Neatishead, Norfolk22/07/2022
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XP701F.3Robertsbridge Aviation Society, Mayfield, East Sussex13/10/2013
XP703F.3Lightning Preservation Group, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire24/10/2021
XP743F.3Ken Hayward, Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, Norfolk28/06/2022
XP757F.3Martyn Steele (cockpit only), Stamford, Lincolnshire25/10/2008
XR751F.3Jet Art Aviation, Selby, North Yorkshire01/07/2011
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XS421T.5Carl Lamb, Neatishead, Norfolk22/07/2022
XS457T.5Lincair, Binbrook, Lincolnshire02/08/2021
XV328T.5Lightning Preservation Group, Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire24/10/2021
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
XR726F.6Privately owned, (Internal fittings only), Binbrook, Lincolnshire08/08/2022
XR747F.6Privately Owned, Bideford, Devon02/08/2021
XR754F.6Matt Buddle, Upwood, Cambridgeshire24/06/2021
XR757F.6Privately owned, Newark Air Museum, Winthorpe Show Ground, Nottinghamshire10/07/2022
XR759F.6Glenn Edwards, North Weald, Essex17/07/2021
XS898F.6Tony Collins, Lavendon, Buckinghamshire02/09/2022
XS899F.6Charles Ross, Binbrook, Lincolnshire07/04/2023
XS922F.6Lakes Lightnings (cockpit), Spark Bridge, Cumbria10/07/2022
XS923F.6Sue & Roy Jerman, Welshpool, Powys, Wales02/09/2022
XS932F.6Richard Scarborough, Walcott, Lincolnshire03/12/2020
XS933F.6Privately owned, Farnham area, Surrey2002
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
53-700F.53Gatwick Aviation Museum, Charlwood, Surrey29/06/2021
ZF577 (ex 53-668)F.53Pinewood Film Studios (nose only?), Buckinghamshire19/10/2008
ZF582 (ex 53-676)F.53Bournemouth Aviation Museum, Hurn, Dorset16/06/2022
ZF586 (ex 53-688)F.53Pinewood Film Studios (nose only?), Buckinghamshire19/10/2008
ZF587 (53-691)F.53Mike Coleman, Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, Headcorn, Kent30/06/2021
ZF587 (ex 53-691)F.53Giles Howell (stored - fuselage, wings, tail), Kettleburgh, Suffolk
ZF590 (ex 53-679)F.53Lincair (fuselage), Binbrook, Lincolnshire19/10/2008
ZF590 (ex 53-679)F.53Matt Buddle (cockpit), Upwood, Cambridgeshire22/01/2012
 
SerialMarkOwner & locationUpdated
ZF595 (ex 55-714)T.55North Weald, Essex03/12/2020
ZF595 (ex 55-714)T.55Lincair (fuselage, stored), Binbrook, Lincolnshire02/08/2021
ZF596 (ex 55-715)T.55North Weald, Essex17/07/2021
ZF596 (ex 55-715)T.55Lakes Lightnings (nose), Spark Bridge, Cumbria06/02/2012
ZF597 (ex 55-711)T.55Privately owned, Unknown location08/05/2019