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Aviation History
1961
1961 - 1192.PDF
294 FLIGHT, 31 August 1961 Lightning TA Lightning F.1A ENGLISH ELECTRIC AVIATION LTD (Member of British Aircraft Cor-poration Ltd) WO Pall Mall, London SW1. Telephone: Whitehall 1020 Lightning The current British Service versions of the Lightning single-seat all-weather fighter, now equipping squadrons of RAF Fighter Command, are designated F.I and F.I A. A very full description of the F.I A, together with a detailed sectional drawing, was pub- lished in our issue of July 13 last. This mark of Lightning can be distinguished from the F. 1 by the external electrical fairings along the lower-fuselage sides. Earlier this year it was officially stated that the Lightning F.2 and F.3 were in an advanced state of development. It has been surmised that either mark might incorporate the Rolls-Royce RB.146 Avon 300 Series rated at 13,2301b thrust dry, and 17,000/18,0001b with reheat, and it has been officially stated that the Mk 3 is able to carry the de Havilland Red Top missile. The Lightning T.4 is an operational trainer, with tactical capability, having side-by-side seats. Full dual controls are fitted, and each Lightning squadron is being allotted one or two T.4s for dual checks and demonstrations. In our July 13 issue we reported that production Lightnings had flown well over 5,000 hours. Our report continued: "More than 50 pilots have flown Lightnings, other than members of RAF Fighter Command, and their eulogistic comments jealously recorded by English Electric Aviation are a remarkable testimony from hard-bitten evaluation pilots. With this aeroplane one can fly and fight automatically at 1,500 m.p.h.; or one can take off in a filthy downpour on a pitch black night along a 2,000yd standard strip; lose an engine at the most inopportune point; complete the circuit; make an approach in a strong cross- wind ; touch with full fuel on board, overloaded, and lose the braking parachute (something which is virtually unheard of, as this journal recorded after visiting the first RAF squadron). And after all this, the pilot can climb down the ladder, say 'No sweat at all", and mean it." The Lightning F.I A has two 30mm Aden guns in the upper fuselage and an armament pack in the under side which can be of any of three types. In all aircraft so far seen in ser- vice the pack accommodates equipment for two de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missiles, which are carried on outboard pylons projecting from the pack, but an alternative pack accommodates two additional Aden guns and their ammunition, while the third arrange- ment is to fill the space with two boxes each holding 24 spin-stabilized rockets.
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