BAC/English Electric Lightning

The English Electric Lightning was a supersonic fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, remembered for its great speed and natural metal exterior. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft. Renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor, RAF pilots described it as "being saddled to a skyrocket". English Electric was later incorporated into the British Aircraft Corporation, later marks being developed and produced as the BAC Lightning.

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 regular performer at airshows and was the first aircraft capable of supercruise. The Lightning was also one of the highest performance planes ever used in formation aerobatics.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• BAC
• English
• Electric
• Lightning
• Cold
• War
• interceptor
• RAF
• Royal
• Air
• Force

[bilzc38]

A true british interceptor - of the highest order!

[TheFunkadelicFan]

I love the way they take off, and then transition to vertical flight! That's taking the piss.

[Factnotfictionpeople]

I hope they told West-Drayton first........:-)

[dmax631]

truly amazing aircraft

[t328]

hi from america great video love the lighting!

[LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH]

@PaulSAUK Privatisation has nothing to do with the downfall of the British aviation-research the cancellation of the TSR 2 project in the mid 1960's due to pressure from the US combined with a spineless socialist Labour Wilson government. The cancellation devastated the British aviation industry leading to a brain drain of very talented, very bitter & disllusioned aviation engineers, many of whom ended up at the Skunk works in the US.

[fluturaku]

it makes ur balls feel big and hard!! always loved this baby

[TheFirebird56]

The most incredible jet fighter there is, even today,Visit Bruntingthorpe to see two examples fast Runs up the runway. AMAZING.......................­...... :-)

[p4nz3rgr3n4di3r]

@itspaulking Sadly I may have seen the same aircraft at Gutersloh in 1983-84 in the boneyard .

[itspaulking]

My dad just told me that Gutersloh on 18 sqn in 1970 a young Flt Lt burst into tears when he turned up a bit late for a big take off like this and was told he couldnt fly.. Lol