Lightning's Live On!: The History of English Electric's Supersonic Interceptor

The English Electric Lightning was the only all-British supersonic interceptor aircraft to successfully graduate from the drawing board to the production line and embed itself into service with military air forces around the world.

 

This comprehensive volume begins with an analysis of how the Lightning came into being, the post-war political sentiment, the military developments and the desired requirement for an aircraft that set the bar in terms of military aviation evolution. From early prototypes to revolutionary developmental interceptor that took to the skies in 1954, the Lightning was a trailblazer that caught the public’s imagination with its dynamic and sensational take off and through its superlative formation aerobatic team.

 

Expert author Hugh Trevor details every stage of its development through production testing, aircraft trials including in tropical regions, and pilot training on simulators through to launch of the single-seat version and every nuance, tweak and development that occurred in its lifespan.

 

Bringing its history to life are stories from test pilots, squadron pilots, aerobatics pilots, groundcrew, mechanics and maintenance experts, and latterly from enthusiasts who have kept the Lightning’s legacy and spirit alive, and, for all of whom, working in the aircraft’s orbit proved deeply profound.

 

Alongside are details of operations around the world where it served in war or peacekeeping missions.

 

Despite being long withdrawn from service, this groundbreaking aircraft continues to live on through the Lightning Preservation Group.