NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
English Electric Lightning aircraft had over double the speed of the aircraft that they replaced. They remain the fastest British fighter aircraft ever produced.
The aircraft design 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 predecessor 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 fighter 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, 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.
1. The immaculately crafted rc English Electric Lightning built from a Airworld Modellbau Kit. Wing span is 69" and fuselage length is 112". A turbine engine with a minimum of 35 lbs. of thrust is required power. All up weight is around 42 lbs.
2. & 3. The rc English Electric Lightning from a Mick Reeves Models Kit. Wingspan is 60" and length is 85". The fuselage is made from epoxy. At least a 15 lb. thrust turbine is necessary power.
Mick Reeves Models rc English Electric Lightning 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. It responds quickly to aileron inputs. Rolling maneuvers are very axial and performed quickly.
It easily performs giant loops. It will go exactly where you point it, even in strong winds. Landing is simple because it can slow down without fear of tip stalls. The rc English Electric Lightning shows no tendency 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.
4. The rc English Electric Lightning from a Green Air Design kit. Wingspan is 24". Depron foam is used throughout. Recommended power is a GAD 300 kV motor driving a pusher prop.
English Electric Lightning
