Showing 1 to 9 of 9 search results

English Electric Lightning P1B/F.1

Aircraft & Exhibits, APR 1959-OCT 1983, Cosford, Hangar Four, 84/A/1167

The Lightning was the Royal Air Force’s first truly supersonic aircraft, serving as an air defence interceptor from 1960 until 1988. Its formidable top speed came at the cost of a very short range.

Silver-coloured aircraft with highly swept wings and large RAF roundels, carrying to white missiles, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / (c) RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

Red Top Missile

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1970-Circa 1988, London, Hangar Three/Four, X001-3496

Open topped weapons pack shaped to fit into bottom of Lightning fuselage. Wide side mounted missile stubs; painted overall grey. Braced steel/aluminium structure with various valves and cabling runs. Trolley mounted.

Image pending

Lightning firing Red Top

Film & Sound, In Storage, FC95/51

Air-to-air film showing two English Electric Lightning fighter aircraft as they fire Red Top air-to-air missiles at radio-controlled target aircraft. The target aircraft are hit and fall from the sky.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Wing Commander John Anthony Ward, 3 February 2015

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6790/016

John Ward flew Lightning aircraft in the UK and Cyprus, and as an instructor. He flew F106 aircraft in the United States. He supported Falklands War and Gulf War operations.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Squadron Leader David Andrew Wyatt, 12 November 2014

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6790/005

Andy Wyatt served as a pilot in Lightning aircraft, as an instructor in the Hawk and with the Red Arrows. He also commanded 92 Squadron with Hawks at RAF Chivenor.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Air Vice Marshal Michael Donaldson, 10 December 2014

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6790/012

Mike Donaldson was a pilot in Lightning, F-106 and Phantom aircraft. He commanded 19 Squadron, RAF Wattisham and the RAF Staff College. He was 11 Group Senior Air Staff Officer.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Air Commodore John Mitchell and Air Vice Marshal Leslie Phipps, 25 February 2015

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6790/017

John Mitchell and Les Phipps discuss their experience of the early development of the Lightning in RAF service. This includes various aspects of the Lightning’s capabilities, including weapons and interception.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Wing Commander Michael William Streten, 27 November 2014

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6790/008

Mike Streten served as an RAF pilot in Lightning aircraft, including qualification as an instructor. He also undertook an exchange tour with the United States Air Force flying F106 aircraft.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Frank Roe, 24 July 2013

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6753

Recorded interview with Frank Roe, who worked as an engineer for the English Electric company and British Aircraft Corporation on the development of Canberra, Lightning, TSR2, Jaguar and Tornado aircraft.

Image pending