The English Electric Lightning, the RAF’s first supersonic fighter, entered service in 1960 and was at the heart of UK and RAF Germany air defence until its retirement in 1988. It was an instant favourite at air shows, thrilling audiences with its incredible manoeuvrability and rate of climb. Indeed, the vertical climb out after take-off became the aircraft’s signature manoeuvre.
The Lightning served with many RAF squadrons during the Cold War and bore a wide variety of brightly coloured unit markings, with the most famous being the red and white markings worn by the ‘Firebirds’ display team. As camouflage became more appropriate, flamboyant squadron schemes gave way to tactical green/grey upper surfaces, and then to various shades of grey, making the aircraft harder to detect in visual combat.
Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning contains extensive reference material, including colour profiles and close-up photographs, as well as multiple in-depth step-by-step scale model builds featuring the wide range of schemes worn by the type. All the main scales are covered, with special attention given to detailed features to help you enhance your scale model builds of this iconic Cold War fighter.
