A British Cold War plane which
soared through the skies with supersonic speeds of more than 1,500 mph is to
receive its own 'medal of honour' Former pilots and staff who worked
on the English Electric Lightning will be reunited with the plane (an FMk.6
registered XS928) at its current 'home' at BAE Systems to see the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers' (IMechE) honour it with an Engineering Heritage Award.
Only 45 such awards have been made in the scheme's 21 year history which
recognises innovation and excellence in mechanical engineering.
In total 339 of the aircraft type
were built - today just four remain that are able to fly. Back in the Fifties
and Sixties, BAE Systems' facilities at Preston, Warton and Samlesbury were
hives of activity as thousands of Lancashire
aerospace workers cut new ground by delivering one of the fastest fighters the
world has seen.
Courtesy IMechE
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