Britain's lead diminished after this, sadly, letting the French and strangely, but deservedly, the Swedes even produced better. Two countries we Brits gave the jet engine to, and like cricket, football and tennis, screwed it up/left other people to better us. 'Unfortunately, the Lightning Aircraft is too far head to cancel', said Duncan Sands, UK defence Minister, who produced the ghastly 'White Paper' of 1957 that instigated the fall of the British Aero industry. Shameful.
Johnson Mack, e-mail, 26.09.2014 02:16
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mr james owen, e-mail, 20.07.2014 01:34
внимание Я г-н Джеймс Оуэн, я работаю с независимым консорциумом финансирования Эксперт займа Кредиторы (упал) на Международной финансовой корпорации и мы связаны более 12 сертифицированных кредитования кредит компаний здесь в Африке и Европе, и Азии. Мы рекомендуем Вам одной из этих компаний и соответствующей кредит будет одобрен для Вы. Почему вокруг магазина? С нашей технологией мы можем посмотреть на получение кредита Рынок минут, с 100s кредитов мы можем выбрать право только для вас Независимо от ваших обстоятельств, индивидуальной трудовой деятельностью, пенсии, иметь копию или плохой кредитный рейтинг, мы могли бы помочь занять от $ 5000 до $ 200 млн. Гибкая погашения более 5 до 25 лет, Быстрые кредиты для решений любая цель, обеспеченные кредиты, кредиты домовладельцев, кредиты для плохих кредитов Кредиты, ипотека. Все, что вам нуж ...
Paul Scott, e-mail, 05.05.2014 18:08
Amazing aircraft, fast climb, but hampered due to poor duration (like its 'slight' looklike the MiG-21).
Paul Scott, e-mail, 05.05.2014 18:06
Why's all the messages in Cyrillic? Excellent 'plane for its day, though high maintenance per flying hour was a drawback, but its rate of climb for then, exceptional - 60,000 in ne minute!!
Bill Beardsley, e-mail, 11.02.2013 17:52
Had a golden opportunity to do two years on the Weapons Test Squadron from '65-67 as a USAF Exchange pilot, then over to 5 Squadron for a year. Logged over 500 hours, many at Mach 2. Did an 8 hour proving trial with a tanker and qualified behind a KC-135 tanker. On that trip the Sqdn Commander had a problem plugging in and the tanker Captain told him to just hold his position and he would back down on him. Needless to say, he plugged in on the next try. All in all it was the highlight of my 28 career.
Madam, e-mail, 18.01.2013 14:30
Dear Sir / Madam, Вам нужна финансовая помощь? Вам нужен кредит, чтобы расширить свой организация? Вам нужен кредит, чтобы начать больших масштабов бизнеса? Вам нужно кредита, который может изменить вашу жизнь и ваше нынешнее финансовое положение? Вам нужна срочно или чрезвычайного кредита положить вещи в нужное место? Тогда вы находятся в правильном домом для всех ваших качества кредитного предназначены для удовлетворения ваших потребностей.
кредита мирового класса, компания обязалась всего кредита. Мы выдаем бизнеса запуск и расширение бизнеса кредиты перспективных деловых людей и женщин при низкой и доступной процентной ставки на 2% и длинный срок погашения Продолжительность ваш выбор. Заинтересованные кандидаты должны предоставить Информация ниже. Мы рассчитываем на более сильные деловые отношения с вами, как мы ждем ваши ...
mrs aisha ahmed, e-mail, 21.05.2012 12:59
Я госпожа Аиша Ахмед из Ливии, я никогда не знал, Аллах пошлет помощник меня, я мать троих детей, и мой муж был одним из лояльных gaddhafi в последние Ливии война, и я был в золотой бизнес покупку золота из Ливии в Италию . Его, как сон в моих глазах, когда силы НАТО вошли в наш дом и взял мой муж и сожгли все belongings.All наши деньги я использую для ведения бизнеса, и некоторые из золота в доме был сделан силами НАТО и жизнь стала несчастной для моей семьи и у меня было не с кем работать to.And никто не хочет помочь мне, потому что они сказали моему мужу было gaddhafi лояльный, я думал о своих деловых партнеров в Италии после войны, и сказал ей все, что был со мной и что у меня нет никакой надежды возродить мою business.And она познакомила меня с богобоязненным и честным кредита кредитор имя г-н Майкл Энтони там, в Греции, и он дал его адрес электронной почты me.At Сначала я никогда не верил ей , но я решl ...
Dr Daniel Eric, e-mail, 23.04.2012 10:17
Внимание:
Мы кредитная организация создана, чтобы помочь людям в потребности помогает, таких как финансовые help.So, если вы собираетесь через финансовые трудности, или вы в любой финансовой неразберихи, в Библии говорится, "" Лука 11:10 всякий просящий получает, и он ищущий находит,. и тому, кто стучит, дверь будет открыта "Так что не позволяйте это возможность передать Вам, потому что Иисус тот же вчера, ПОЛЬЗУ ИНВЕСТИЦИЙ предлагает плавающую схему кредита Вы можете подать заявку на любую сумму кредита, которую вы может быть нужно. Мы предлагаем кредиты от £ 5,000.00 GBP Мин. до £ 5,000,000.00 фунтов стерлингов и долларах США Макс. Мы предоставляем долгосрочный кредит для пяти до двадцати лет максимум.
Нужна ли вам эта помощь и не знают, как пойти об этом? Есть ли у вас плохой кредит, но необходимость финансирования и действительно нужно это плохо, не обращаются за пом ...
BLUE DIAMOND LOAN COMPANY, e-mail, 26.10.2011 20:10
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Голубой бриллиант займа компании Это проверенный и надежной компании кредит, который дает Лицензированные ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОГО ПРАВИТЕЛЬСТВА.
МЫ не имеют себе равных в бизнесе КРЕДИТ Предоставление. Мы хорошо известны во всем мире хорошо для наших клиентов, чтобы они получать удовлетворение ДОСТАВКА MAXIMUM, с условиями лучших когда-либо.
ЕС ПОМОЩЬ КТО Thos Thos выполнения какой-либо проблемы или финансовые затруднения. ЭТО ШАНС ПОЛУЧИТЬ ваши финансовые проблемы решены. ЕС БУДЕТ ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЕ ОТ кредитов начиная EUR 5,000.00 EUR 10,000,000.00 К по очень низкой ставки по кредитам. Процентная ставка как низко как 3% процентов в течение ...
Ian, e-mail, 01.05.2011 10:27
I was working in Cornwall down in Saint Morgan Porth just north of Perranporth and these awesome flying machines would fly directly over our heads while we were putting a house together. The noise is unforgetable and had I been a little more interested at school I would liked to have made it into the RAF just to get near one of these planes. To all who flew them, you have my envy and admiration.
Kevin Morrow, e-mail, 16.04.2011 20:46
I've seen one on display in Cornwall near Liskard. The last time I saw the bird was the real thing on a massive stand above a car sale....
Couldn't tell if the aircraft was a prop but it sure was big. The location of this aircraft is located next to the A38 (road) and the place is called Liskeard Castle Motors. The Lightning is a F.6 XS936....
Mick Skinner, e-mail, 08.03.2011 10:56
Ken You are way off All the Mk1,1A,2&T4 models had the option of a fuselage mounted pack fwd of the ventral fuel tank that coul have either 2 Aden cannons or 2 firestreak missiles and later on Red top missiles.At 226 OCU Coltishall we had over 20 of these A/C in 1966 aswell as the Mk3,6&T5 variants. To my knowledge fuel tank mounted armaments are a big NO NO. Hope this info is usefull.
Ken Lewis, e-mail, 06.03.2011 07:24
The text of this BAC Lightning is incorrect when it mentions it was a fighter. This aircraft was designed as an interceptor, only a few (believed to be six) were fitted with guns, which is the hallmark of a fighter aircraft. In these few aircraft the only place the guns could be placed were in the fuel tank! Just imagine being involved in a dogfight with your guns in the fuel tank. The purpose that this aircraft was designed for was to stop any unidentified incoming aircraft arriving in British airspace.
Mick Skinner, e-mail, 26.01.2011 09:19
I was based at RAF Coltishall in 1965/6 and worked on 226 OCU as an engine fitter on F1A/F2/F4 line in 1966 we set a record for the highest no of Lightenings (F1A/F2/F4/F3/F5) in the air at any one time I think it was more than 20. The A/C was a pig to work on and our American squadron leader said it was the greatest bird he had ever flown. I managed to get a ride in a T4 trainer FANTASTIC ride,1000 MPH at age 18. I thought my time on supersonic a/c was up when I left the RAF in 1969 but ended up as a maintenance manager looking after the BA Concorde fleet (CAA A&C licensed on Concorde in addition to many Boeings) in the 70's & 80's. For my 60th birthday I had an Extreme Aerobatic Flight in an Extra 300 and my pilot was an ex lightening pilot who had also been with the Red Arrows.
Keith Hallam, e-mail, 11.12.2010 02:54
I was based at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, '82 to '84 at the civvy airport next door to the military airport. The Lightnings take off was over our facilities workshops and they would stand on their tail just as they came over. The Saudi pilots were real jockeys. Occasionally buzzing the tower. The noise went through your body and to earth through your boots. Some good info here.... and some sour grapes! There's always someone around to tell you that their black cat is blacker than yours.
David Booth, e-mail, 30.11.2010 23:53
I never flew one nor did I ever have the opportunity to. I do however remember the SB5 from one of my earliest Farnborough Shows but did not immediately make the connection with the F1 et. al. The one thing which none of the above contributors have mentioned is the Flying Tigers - nine Lightenings doing, or rather outdoing any previous or subsequent Airshow performances. The nine of them taking off at Farnborough was and still is the greatest, most awe inspiring memory of all my experiences at Airshows even exceeding the thrill of seeing the first B2 to arrive over the UK at Fairford accompanied by two F15s. The ground shook and there was no escape from the ear shattering noise. All three of my children also retain that memory as being unique in the proper sense of the word. To make any comparison of the Lightening with the F104 is the ultimate proof of american one-eyed self delusion.
Trevor Barlow, e-mail, 14.11.2010 20:50
I served on 23 Squadron at RAF Leuchars from Apr 1968 to July 1972, when the squadron was equipped with Mk 6 versions of these a/c. The squadron used to intercept Russian reconnaissance on a regular daily basis(QRA) after being handed over by either the Norwegians or the Americans(out of Iceland) to Buchan Radar. Endurance of the Mk6 could be stretched 1.5 hours, and one year two a/c flew to Canada(7hrs +) for a airshow using tankers. Super a/c, pig to work on.
MG, e-mail, 25.09.2010 02:22
Thanks Geoff for many happy memories staring into the skies around Wattisham and district in those early 7o's... you have alot to answer for ;)
jimbo, e-mail, 30.01.2010 15:20
A Sqn of these flew from RAF Luqa (Malta) to O/H El Adem (Libya) in 14 mins av over 1000 mph. They were there before the departure signal arrived. Absolutely awesome
Charles, e-mail, 07.01.2010 04:56
Unwittingly,I happened upon the airshow in Farnborough one day(visit from abroad)to have this monster turn tail down, right above me and put on full afterburners. Somewhat naive, for a moment I thought it was Armageddon,as I looked straight up those pipes. The shaking and noise was ferocious.
Ching Fuller, e-mail, 02.01.2010 23:16
Tp put a few things straight! I flew the Lightning F1A, F2, F3, T4 and T5 over the period OCT 62 to JUL 66. The F1A and F2 were released to service with a 1.7Mach limit and the F3 (45% more fin area) at Mach 2. I flew the F1A and 2 to Mach 2 and the F3 to 2.2 Mach. In all cases the aircraft were still accelerating. The F1A could carry two 30mm Aden cannon (ROF 1200 rounds/min each) and two Firestreaks. The F2 could carry the same or just 4 X Adens. The F3 could only carry two Firestreak or after 1965 two Redtop all aspect intercept missiles (they homed onto leading edge heating). In an F1A I once inadvertently and ballistically went through 72 000ft (the height at which one engine flamed out and the other cut back to fast idle dropping the AC off line and freezing the altimeter.)at quite a steep angle of climb. My Taylor, Woodhouse and Baxter partial pressure helmet worked better than advertised; that and the inflated G suit and sleeveless pressure jerkin safely saw down to 45 000ft where a relight of the dead engine was successful. In all marks of Lightning the fuel consumption was spectacular. The 1A, 2 and 3 carried 7 500lbs of fuel and at low level in afterburner used 750lbs/min.
Bob, e-mail, 12.12.2009 00:06
My dear Bill,
....2300 hrs flown on F104 (1300 F 104 G + 900 F 104 S).... + 1400 hrs on MRCA TORNADO IDS Version ...... + only 250 on TYPHOON (I'm getting hold my friend (!))....aren't enough for you ?
Bill Beardsley, e-mail, 07.12.2009 23:13
Bob McGuire....you're out of your mind and just plain wrong about your corrections regarding Lightning performance. Oh, and the F-104S? That was the DOG of all 104 models, heavy and nowhere near the performance of the A thru C models. Go buy a book will ya!?
Bob Mc Guire, e-mail, 01.12.2009 01:32
Sorry guys...., althought the Lightning was a superb aircraft its real (..!!) perfomances are the following: max speed : mach 2.18 at 41000 ft rate of climb: clean aircraft 43000 FT/min Max ceiling: 57000 ft The F 104 S (italian version) could easily outclimb and outrun any Lightning version
paul scott, e-mail, 17.09.2009 22:52
Dear Larry P*** off mate.
paul scott, e-mail, 20.08.2009 15:35
Excellent aircraft when Britain had got it right - Duncan Sandys, the dreadful man of British aviation and usurper of technological genius stated that: 'unfortunately, the Lightning programme has gone too far ahead to cancel'. Thank heavens that was the case. Although the cost of putting/keeping the Lightning in service was very high. High fuel consumption (I believe quoted as 150 lbs. 'per second') and maintenance time per flying hour was high. On the recommendation of BAC to the RAF, the serious upgrades for the belly tank and overwing fuel tanks helped, but with perfection, there's bound to be a few headaches. My favourite is the FMK6, in the 'bluish' colour scheme as seen at RAF Hendon Museum. A true legend!
Leo Rudnicki, e-mail, 18.08.2009 19:52
Mach 2.3 and 87,300 feet, ballistic, of course.
John Dighton, e-mail, 04.08.2009 11:07
I have read the comments above as to the speed of the Lightning. I was taught at school in South Africa by a retired RAF pilot. He told me that the Lightning was capable of mach 3 and that they often used to intercept U2 spy planes at over 100,000ft just to tee the yanks off. Yes gentlemen, this plane was fast, very fast and with the exception of the Foxbat, perhaps the fastest combat aircraft ever produced!
Tom Morgan, e-mail, 12.07.2009 23:47
I have a book on the lightning by Ian Black lots of great photographs but not much text.Did he write another one?
d.jay, 11.07.2009 23:19
I an suprized a know it all like Mr Rudnicki does not know this, read FLT LT Ian Blacks book and find out, do not form opinions with half the facts.
Leo Rudnicki, e-mail, 05.07.2009 21:49
Were the tankers running standing patrols or did they scramble with the intercepters?
d.jay, 04.07.2009 20:06
The short endurance was no handicap for this intercepter it had a pipe stuck out of its left wing for air to air refueling so it could plug in to a Valiant or later a Victor tanker then roar of on full tanks. Although it only carried two missiles its superior performance ment it could get in to a perfect fireing position on any aircraft as lots of gun camera shots show.
Leo Rudnicki, e-mail, 16.06.2009 16:41
I thought I was wrong but I was mistaken. At least I didn't multiple click. 5 times. You must have been excited. Firestreak it is. Still, endurance and weapons load are assets Lightning did not possess.
Barry, 16.06.2009 15:03
The Lightning was a fast (very fast)interceptor and to this day it is possibly the fastest aircraft to fly with the R.A.F. The ever contraversial Mr.Runicki has again made one or two errors in his sumation. The Lightning was armed firstly in the F1A and F2 with D.H.Firestreak infra red homing missiles and then latterly on F3 and F6 the supposedly more capable but less reliable Red Top missile. I for one wuold be fascinated to know when the Lightning was ever armed with the SkyFlash. There is no doubt that the Lightning was of limited range and endurance especially when reheat was engaged. Pilots have commented on many occasions watching the fuel gauges with alarm as the fuel was sucked through the engines at an increasing rate. However, in its later life this truly great plane could outfly the F15 and F16 with recorded camera gun shots proving the point.It did intercept Russian Bombers on an almost daily basis, what it could not do was CAP (combat air patrol)for which it was never designed. It is true that the Aden cannon was deleted from the F2 and F3 but was re-established on the F6 after all you can't fire across the bows of an intruder with an air to air missile!
leo rudnicki, e-mail, 08.05.2009 23:55
The lightning was the fastest and the fastest climbing fighter of it's day. It had no range and carried only two Red-Top or Skyflash missiles. It was not able to intercept Soviet Bombers carrying stand-off missiles, for which the RAF used F-4's with 4 Sparrows & Sidewinders. The job that Tornado F-3 was made for. Lightning was a creation of the government.
Martin Bayliss, e-mail, 08.05.2009 12:37
The lightning was the world’s best fighter from 1964 to the late 70's, when the US introduced the F15 into squadron service. The lightning pioneered many things, but one of these pioneering features which is rarely commented on, was the relatively low wing loading of the Lightning wing combined with a highly swept leading edge. This enabled the aircraft to be efficient at high speed flight but also to be manoeuvrable. That is why the Lightning was not only amongst the fastest fighter aircraft ever, but also easily the most manoeuvrable of its day. Today, all other fighter aircraft have copied the Lightning concept of a highly swept wing combined with a low wing loading. Compare and contrast with the F104, fast but hopeless at air combat manoeuvring.
Chuck Restivo, e-mail, 12.04.2009 06:51
I saw several of these aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia in the early 1980s. Royal Saudi Air Force?
leo rudnicki, e-mail, 04.04.2009 00:00
A wonderful airshow aircraft. Climb like a rocket, lots of noise in reheat (a/b), real fast. No gas, no ammo, 2 shots with crappy red-tops and its RTB. No need for a thermos of tea. You'll be back soon or under silk. The a/c was chosen by politicians 'cause it was cheaper than a real combat a/c. It was a research plane. that is why no stores stations,or endurance. Never had it till Tornado F3. Remember Dunkirk and Dieppe when the RAF couldn't put a cap on the coast of France. Fuel and ammo.
Nikos J. Farsaris, e-mail, 27.12.2008 23:11
I have heard that real service ceiling exceeded 21000 meters but it was keft a confidential information throughout the whole service life of the Lightning
Geoff Bagley, e-mail, 23.12.2008 19:07
I was at RAF Wattisham in the early seventees with Treble One and Twenty Nine squadrons, both flying Mk3 Lightnings. An exceptional aircraft for any day!
Steve Roy, e-mail, 21.09.2008 15:15
As a kid I remember watching film of Lightnings taking off on fast intercept. They would leave the runway, basically stand on their tails and go straight up. Awesome!
