English Electric Lightning

During the cold war, the English Electric Lightning was the RAF’s ‘go to’ interceptor fighter. It remains one of the most iconic British jets ever built; it also remains the only UK-designed and built fighter capable of Mach 2 – almost 1,300mph. Originally issued 12 years ago, this 116-page special celebrates the history of the Lightning and charts its design, production, service, and the pilots that flew it.

Introduced in the summer of 1960, the type served the RAF for 28 years as well as forming the backbone of the Kuwaiti and Royal Saudi air forces. Those that flew it loved it, those that faced it feared it.