Page 34 - issue05.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 5, 2019 P26

Feature Win

Fast & furious

… and Lightning was bloody thirsty too

HE ENGLISH Electric Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 ‘Badger’, first squadron, 74, formed there in
Lightning presented a Tu-22 ‘Blinder’ and Tu-95 ‘Bear’ July 1960. Nine frontline squadrons
Tmajor challenge, according bombers and so had an exceptional operated the jet fighter.
to author Martin Bowman, rate of climb, ceiling and speed, Lightnings were slowly phased
whose new book features rare although “this performance made out of service between 1974 and
photographs of the fondly- the Lightning a ‘fuel-critical’ aircraft 1988.
remembered aircraft. Bowman said: “In their final
He said: “It was the RAF’s first years the airframes required
supersonic night/all-weather considerable maintenance to keep
interceptor. In speed alone it them airworthy due to the sheer
doubled the performance of number of accumulated flight
the Hunter. But more than that, hours.”
with its combination of A123 He added: “Following retirement
(airborne interceptions radar) in the late 1980s, many of the
and Firestreak air-to-air guided remaining Lightnings became
weapons, the Lightning had a museum exhibits.
genuine interception capability “The Lightning may be gone
against high-performance bomber but it is not forgotten. There never
aircraft.” has been and never will be another
He added: “With the aircraft like it. Without doubt it is
introduction of the Lightning, air the best of the best of British.”
defence was at last being given Gp Capt David Seward, OC 56
an appropriate degree of priority ‘Firebirds’ Squadron, said: “The
which many fighter experts thought aeroplane was superb to fly, a b*tch
was long overdue.” to maintain and always short of
Bowman points out that fuel. In hindsight, we probably
although the English Electric wouldn’t have wanted it any other
Lightning was never required to way.”
attack another aircraft, it was the and its missions were dictated to a n We have copies of The English
RAF’s primary interceptor for more high degree by its limited range.” Electric Lightning by Martin
than two decades during the Cold The first Lightnings were W Bowman (pen-and-sword.
War era. delivered to the Central Fighter co.uk), rrp £14.99, to win; see the GOING UP:
He explains that it was developed Establishment at RAF Coltishall, competition on p5 of our RnR Lightning
to intercept increasingly capable Norfolk, in December 1959. The leisure pullout section.
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