HOME      English Electric Lightning

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
English Electric Lightning aircraft had over double the speed of the aircraft they replaced. They remain the fastest British fighter aircraft ever produced.
 
The design of the English Electric Lightning dates back to 1947. It was then that English Electric was commissioned by the British government to produce an aircraft to study supersonic flight.
 
As was the case with other jet manufacturers, English Electric carefully studied German World War II designs of swept wing aircraft. This led to the development of the experimental predesessor to the English Electric Lightning that first took to the sky in August of 1954. 
 
English Electric Lightning aircraft, thanks to an advanced radar system, could fly in all weather. The radar system also had the capability of automatically launching the aircraft's air to air missiles once within range of its target.
 
Through the years the English Electric Lightning received improved avionics, an in-flight refueling system, and a wing that enabled the doubling of its original fuel capacity.
 
In 1962 a training version of the English Electric Lightning aircraft, the T. Mk 5 started being produced. Seating in the aircraft was side-by-side.
 
BAC English Electric Lightning aircraft stayed in service until 1988.
 
A total of 337 English Electric Lightning aircraft of all types were produced.
 
  

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines:
        Thrust:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Cannons:
        Missiles:
        Length o/a:  
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Climb Rate: 
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First Flight:  
        Year Deployed:
interceptor
one
RR Avon 301
16,360 lbs. ea.
28,000 lbs.
42,000 lbs.
none
2- air-to-air
55' 3"
34' 10"
595 mph
1,500 mph
50,000 fpm
55,000 feet
800 miles
4/4/57
1959
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC English Electirc Lightning.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the immaculately crafted RC English Electric Lightning built from a Airworld Modellbau Kit. Wing span of the radio control airplane is 69" and fuselage length is 112".  You will need a turbine engine with a minimum of 35 lbs. of thrust to power the English Electric Lightning rc. All up weight of the radio control airplane is around 42 lbs.
 
The first two pictures below are of the rc English Electric Lightning built from a Mick Reeves Models kit.  The radio control airplane has a wing span of 60" and a length of 85".  The fuselage of the RC English Electric Lightning is made from epoxy. At least a 15 lb. thrust turbine is necessary to power the radio control airplane.  
 
Mick Reeves Models English Electric Lightning RC pilots report many hours of flights and never any handling problems. The radio control airplane is easy to fly yet extremely maneuverable. With a 15 lb. thrust turbine the RC Airplane can easily cruise at half throttle. The radio control airplane responds quickly to aileron inputs. Rolling maneuvers of the English Electric Lightning rc are very axial and performed quickly. The radio control airplane easily performs giant loops. The RC Airplane will go exactly where you point it, even in strong winds. Landing the radio control airplane is simple because it can slow down without fear of tip stalls. The rc English Electric Lightning shows no tendancy to bounce even on less than perfect landings. About the only negative issue that radio control airplane pilots report is that the short wings can be difficult to see in level flight.  
 
The last picture on this page is of the English Electric Lightning rc from a Green Air Design kit. The radio control airplane has a wing span of 24". Depron foam is used to construct the RC Airplane. Recommended power for the radio control airplane is a GAD 300 kV motor driving a pusher prop. 
 
If you have built a English Electric Lightning RC Airplane or can recommend a rc English Electric Lightning radio control airplane plan, ARF or kit, please email us.
   
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC English Electric Lightning by Mick Reeves.
 
Radio Control Airplane

Nigel Roche's rc English Electric Lightning.

Radio Control Airplane
  Green Air rc English Electric Lightning.