English Electric Limited (EE)
Electric Lightning F.6
English Electric Lightning F.6
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| Lightning F.6 of RAF Binbrook seen during a "Priory" exercise in the 1980s | |
| Role | Interceptor (primary); fighter |
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| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | |
| First flight |
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| Introduction | 11 July 1960 (frontline service) |
| Retired | 30 April 1988 (RAF) |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users |
Royal Air Force
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| Number built | 337 (including prototypes) |
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History English Electric Company Limited (EE)
English Electric Lightning F.6
The English Electric Lightning is a British fighter aircraft that served as an interceptor during the 1960s, the 1970s and into the late 1980s. It was capable of a top speed of above Mach 2. The Lightning was designed, developed, and manufactured by English Electric. After EE merged with other aircraft manufacturers to form British Aircraft Corporation it was marketed as the BAC Lightning. It was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Kuwait Air Force (KAF), and the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
The Lightning has exceptional rate of climb, ceiling, and speed; pilots have described flying it as "being saddled to a skyrocket" This performance and the initially limited fuel supply meant that its missions are dictated to a high degree by its limited range.[5] Later developments provided greater range and speed along with aerial reconnaissance and ground-attack capability. Overwing fuel tank fittings were installed in the F6 variant and gave an extended range, but limited maximum speed to a reported 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km/h)
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Avionics and systems
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English Electric Company Limited (EE)
English Electric Lightning F.6
English Electric Company Limited (EE)
English Electric Lightning F.6
General Info
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- Crew: 1
- Length: 55 ft 3 in (16.84 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft 10 in (10.62 m) [Height: 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m)
- Wing area: 474.5 sq ft (44.08 m2)
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Powerplant
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- Empty weight: 31,068 lb (14,092 kg) with armament and no fuel
- Gross weight: 41,076 lb (18,632 kg) with two Red Top missiles, cannon, ammunition, and internal fuel
- Max takeoff weight: 45,750 lb (20,752 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Avon 301R afterburning turbojet engines
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Performance
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- Maximum speed: Mach 2.27 (1,500 mph+ at 40,000 ft)
- Range: 738 nmi (849 mi, 1,367 km)
- Combat range: 135 nmi (155 mi, 250 km) supersonic intercept radius
- Ferry range: 800 nmi (920 mi, 1,500 km) internal fuel; 1,100 nmi (1,300 mi; 2,000 km) with external tanks
- Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
- Zoom ceiling: 70,000 ft (21,000 m
Armament
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- Guns: 2× 30 mm (1.181 in) ADEN cannon
- Hardpoints: 2 × forward fuselage, 2 × overwing pylon stations , with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Missiles: 2× de Havilland Firestreak or 2 × Red Top (missile) on fuselage
- Other: 260 imp gal (310 US gal; 1,200 L) ferry tanks on wings
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Links to Youtube & Others
Although in operational use, the Vulcan typically carried various nuclear armaments, the type also had a secondary conventional role. While performing conventional combat missions, the Vulcan could carry up to 21 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs inside its bomb bay.
English Electric Lightning F.6
The Vulcan's only combat missions took place towards the end of the type's service in 1982. During the Falklands War.
Youtube Link
The missions performed by the Vulcan became known as the Black Buck raids, each aircraft had to fly 3,889 mi (6,259 km) from Ascension Island to reach Stanley on the Falklands. Victor tankers conducted the necessary air-to-air refuelling.
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