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English Electric Lightning F1 Aircraft Data
The F.1 was the first production version of the Lightning, equipped with the Ferranti A.I.23 Airpass radar, VHF-radio (soon to be replaced by UHF) and armed with two Firestreak air-to-air missiles and two 30mm Aden cannon in the nose.
The first production contract for Lightning F.1/F.1A aircraft for the RAF accounted for some 50 examples built by English Electric Co Ltd at Samlesbury. The first F.1, XM134, made her maiden flight on 30 October 1959, with XM167 flying on 14 July 1960. The 20th and last F.1 on the production line, XM168, was employed as a static test unit and was never flown. The small fleet of only 19 F.1s was regarded as a short-term measure prior to the introduction of the more capable F.1A.
* Some sources quote 3 November 1959 as the date of XM134's first flight.
Lightning F.1 in RAF Service
Three RAF units operated the F.1:
The Air Fighting Development Squadron (AFDS) received the second production aircraft, XM135, on 25 May 1960 during A flight's detachment to RAF Leconfield. The other four F.1s (XM136 to XM138 and XM163) arrived in due course.
The AFDS developed and promulgated procedures and operational tactics for the Lightning in RAF units.
On 29 June 1960 the first Lightning F.1 for No.74 Squadron arrived at RAF Coltishall, with the last of 13 machines being delivered on 26 September 1960, when XM167, the last F.1 production aircraft, landed at Coltishall. From that date, the unit had the following F.1s on strength:
XM139 to XM147; XM164 to XM167.
In the summer months of 1963 six of these aircraft were transferred to No.226 OCU at RAF Middleton St. George. As compensation the Tigers received four AFDS aircraft (XM135 to XM137 and XM163).
The last RAF unit to be equipped with the Lightning F.1 was the Lightning Conversion Unit (LCU). This unit was formed as part of the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE) at RAF Coltishall on 4 January 1960 with aircraft borrowed from the AFDS and No.74 Squadron as required. In June 1961 the LCU was renamed Lightning Conversion Squadron (LCS) and equipped with former aircraft from Nos.56 and 111 Squadrons, moved to RAF Middleton St. George. On 27 June 1962, ten days after the arrival of the first T.4, XM970, the LCS became an autonomous unit and was re-designated No.226 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) on 1 June 1963, equipped with seven overhauled former 74 Squadron F.1s and nine T.4 trainers. Around this time the first Lightnings appeared in No.226's own colours, based on those of No.145 Squadron, the unit's shadow-identity in times of crisis.
No.226 OCU relocated to RAF Coltishall on 13 April 1964. Soon after the remaining F.1s ere replaced by F.1As from Nos. 56 and 111 Squadrons.
Lightning F.1s as high-speed, high-altitude targets
After withdrawal from front line service, several F.1s were overhauled for use in the target facilities role. For this purpose the aircraft were disarmed and stripped of equipment associated with the A.I.23 radar. Instead the F.1 was fitted with a so called Luneberg Lens to increase the aircraft's radar reflection and so increase their value in interception training for operational units. In all three Target Facilities Flights were established, with two or three aircraft each ar Binbrook, Leuchars and Wattisham. The first pair of TFF aircraft were issued to the Fighter Command Trials Unit at RAF Binbrook in February 1966. (This unit had formed on 1 February 1966 at RAF West Raynham, but this airfield was deemed unsuitable for Lightning operations). The FCTU became Binbrook TFF in June 1967. The three TFFs were disbanded on 31 December 1973, primarily on economic grounds.
Lightning F.1 production, construction numbers and serials
In total 20 Lightning F.1 aircraft were produced. This number included one aircraft constructed as a static test airframe (XM168).
Construction numbers for these aircraft were: 95030 to 95049.
The F.1 serials came in two blocks: XM134 to XM147 and XM163 to XM168.
Preserved Lightning F.1s
XM135
Lightning F.1 XM135 first flew on 14 November 1959 and was delivered to the A Squadron, AFDS at RAF Coltishall as a replacement for XG334 which had been lost on 5 March 1960 when it suffered an in-flight hydraulic failure. On 25 May 1960 XM135 was flown to Leconfield to join the AFDS detachment. Before joining 74 Squadron in 1963, the aircraft had been modified at Warton. The Lightning also briefly served with 226 OCU at RAF Middleton St. George before being modified to target facilities standard by 33Maintenance Unit at RAF Lyneham. On the day of her intended flight north to Leuchars, 22 July 1966, an electrical fault had developed during the take off run. The pilot aborted take off and returned to the servicing platform. After rectification it was decided to carry out some ground runs. As no qualified test pilot was available, 33MU's CO, W/C Holden took the Lightning, with canopy removed ad ejection seat disarmed, to a disused runway to perform some test runs. On the third run Holden inadvertently engaged reheat. Although Holden was qualified to fly RAF propeller type aircraft, he never even had the chance to sit in a Lightning's cockpit. Thundering down the runway his only option was to become airborne, nearly missing a fuel bowser and a Comet taking off from the main runway. Whilst in the air Holden managed to disengage reheat. It took five attempts to land on Lyneham's main runway. With great relief Holden landed safely and prevented RAF Lyneham and probably nearby Lyneham village from tragedy. With some delay XM135 headed north to serve the Leuchars Target Facilities Flight. On 20 September 1966 XM135 joined the Leuchars TFF. In June 1971 the Lightning was placed in storage with 60 MU, although she was later used for continuation training of TFF pilots. Her final flight was made on 20 November 1974 when she flew to Duxford to be included in the aviation collection of what is now Imperial War Museums Duxford. In the first Duxford years the bare-metalled Lightning only had her code '135' apllied in black on the fin, but since restoration work XM135 is on display in the AirSpace hangar as 'B' in her former 74 Squadron c/s complete with black spine and fin. XM135 clocked a total of 1,343 flight hours. Occasionally visitors to Duxford will be allowed a glimpse in the cockpit of XM135. A fixed plaque serves as a reminder to that summer day in July 1966.
English Electric Lightning or BAC Lightning?
The aviation department of the English Electric Co Ltd was established at Preston, Lancashire in December 1918. The company, not only famous for its post-war Canberra and Lightning designs, became English Electric Aviation Ltd on 9 January 1959. A year later English Electric merged with Bristol Aircraft Ltd, Vickers-Armstrong (Aircraft) Ltd into the British Aircraft Corporation on 1 January 1960. On 31 March 1960 the first production F.1, XM134, was delivered to A Squadron of the A&AEE at Boscombe Down.
The first production contract for Lightning F.1/F.1A aircraft for the RAF accounted for some 50 examples built by English Electric Co Ltd at Samlesbury. The first F.1, XM134, made her maiden flight on 30 October 1959, with XM167 flying on 14 July 1960. The 20th and last F.1 on the production line, XM168, was employed as a static test unit and was never flown. The small fleet of only 19 F.1s was regarded as a short-term measure prior to the introduction of the more capable F.1A.
* Some sources quote 3 November 1959 as the date of XM134's first flight.
Lightning F.1 in RAF Service
Three RAF units operated the F.1:
The Air Fighting Development Squadron (AFDS) received the second production aircraft, XM135, on 25 May 1960 during A flight's detachment to RAF Leconfield. The other four F.1s (XM136 to XM138 and XM163) arrived in due course.
The AFDS developed and promulgated procedures and operational tactics for the Lightning in RAF units.
On 29 June 1960 the first Lightning F.1 for No.74 Squadron arrived at RAF Coltishall, with the last of 13 machines being delivered on 26 September 1960, when XM167, the last F.1 production aircraft, landed at Coltishall. From that date, the unit had the following F.1s on strength:
XM139 to XM147; XM164 to XM167.
In the summer months of 1963 six of these aircraft were transferred to No.226 OCU at RAF Middleton St. George. As compensation the Tigers received four AFDS aircraft (XM135 to XM137 and XM163).
The last RAF unit to be equipped with the Lightning F.1 was the Lightning Conversion Unit (LCU). This unit was formed as part of the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE) at RAF Coltishall on 4 January 1960 with aircraft borrowed from the AFDS and No.74 Squadron as required. In June 1961 the LCU was renamed Lightning Conversion Squadron (LCS) and equipped with former aircraft from Nos.56 and 111 Squadrons, moved to RAF Middleton St. George. On 27 June 1962, ten days after the arrival of the first T.4, XM970, the LCS became an autonomous unit and was re-designated No.226 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) on 1 June 1963, equipped with seven overhauled former 74 Squadron F.1s and nine T.4 trainers. Around this time the first Lightnings appeared in No.226's own colours, based on those of No.145 Squadron, the unit's shadow-identity in times of crisis.
No.226 OCU relocated to RAF Coltishall on 13 April 1964. Soon after the remaining F.1s ere replaced by F.1As from Nos. 56 and 111 Squadrons.
Lightning F.1s as high-speed, high-altitude targets
After withdrawal from front line service, several F.1s were overhauled for use in the target facilities role. For this purpose the aircraft were disarmed and stripped of equipment associated with the A.I.23 radar. Instead the F.1 was fitted with a so called Luneberg Lens to increase the aircraft's radar reflection and so increase their value in interception training for operational units. In all three Target Facilities Flights were established, with two or three aircraft each ar Binbrook, Leuchars and Wattisham. The first pair of TFF aircraft were issued to the Fighter Command Trials Unit at RAF Binbrook in February 1966. (This unit had formed on 1 February 1966 at RAF West Raynham, but this airfield was deemed unsuitable for Lightning operations). The FCTU became Binbrook TFF in June 1967. The three TFFs were disbanded on 31 December 1973, primarily on economic grounds.
Lightning F.1 production, construction numbers and serials
In total 20 Lightning F.1 aircraft were produced. This number included one aircraft constructed as a static test airframe (XM168).
Construction numbers for these aircraft were: 95030 to 95049.
The F.1 serials came in two blocks: XM134 to XM147 and XM163 to XM168.
Preserved Lightning F.1s
XM135
Lightning F.1 XM135 first flew on 14 November 1959 and was delivered to the A Squadron, AFDS at RAF Coltishall as a replacement for XG334 which had been lost on 5 March 1960 when it suffered an in-flight hydraulic failure. On 25 May 1960 XM135 was flown to Leconfield to join the AFDS detachment. Before joining 74 Squadron in 1963, the aircraft had been modified at Warton. The Lightning also briefly served with 226 OCU at RAF Middleton St. George before being modified to target facilities standard by 33Maintenance Unit at RAF Lyneham. On the day of her intended flight north to Leuchars, 22 July 1966, an electrical fault had developed during the take off run. The pilot aborted take off and returned to the servicing platform. After rectification it was decided to carry out some ground runs. As no qualified test pilot was available, 33MU's CO, W/C Holden took the Lightning, with canopy removed ad ejection seat disarmed, to a disused runway to perform some test runs. On the third run Holden inadvertently engaged reheat. Although Holden was qualified to fly RAF propeller type aircraft, he never even had the chance to sit in a Lightning's cockpit. Thundering down the runway his only option was to become airborne, nearly missing a fuel bowser and a Comet taking off from the main runway. Whilst in the air Holden managed to disengage reheat. It took five attempts to land on Lyneham's main runway. With great relief Holden landed safely and prevented RAF Lyneham and probably nearby Lyneham village from tragedy. With some delay XM135 headed north to serve the Leuchars Target Facilities Flight. On 20 September 1966 XM135 joined the Leuchars TFF. In June 1971 the Lightning was placed in storage with 60 MU, although she was later used for continuation training of TFF pilots. Her final flight was made on 20 November 1974 when she flew to Duxford to be included in the aviation collection of what is now Imperial War Museums Duxford. In the first Duxford years the bare-metalled Lightning only had her code '135' apllied in black on the fin, but since restoration work XM135 is on display in the AirSpace hangar as 'B' in her former 74 Squadron c/s complete with black spine and fin. XM135 clocked a total of 1,343 flight hours. Occasionally visitors to Duxford will be allowed a glimpse in the cockpit of XM135. A fixed plaque serves as a reminder to that summer day in July 1966.
English Electric Lightning or BAC Lightning?
The aviation department of the English Electric Co Ltd was established at Preston, Lancashire in December 1918. The company, not only famous for its post-war Canberra and Lightning designs, became English Electric Aviation Ltd on 9 January 1959. A year later English Electric merged with Bristol Aircraft Ltd, Vickers-Armstrong (Aircraft) Ltd into the British Aircraft Corporation on 1 January 1960. On 31 March 1960 the first production F.1, XM134, was delivered to A Squadron of the A&AEE at Boscombe Down.
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 30 October 1959*
- Initial Service Date: 29 June 1960
- No. Built: 19
- No. In Service: 0
- No. of Hardpoints: 2
- Crew: 1
Power:
2 Rolls Royce RA.24R Avon Mk.200R at 14,430 lbf
Weapons:
The standard armament for the F.1 consisted of two De Havilland Firestreak infrared-homing air-to-air missiles on pylons under the front fuselage and two 30 mm Aden cannon in the upper fuselage. If required, an interchangeable fuselage weapons pack containing either an additional two Aden cannon or 48 two-inch (51 mm) unguided air-to-air rockets could be fitted.
Dimensions:
| Length: | 55 ft 3 in. |
| Wing Span: | 34 ft 10 in. |
| Wing Area: | 458.5 sq.ft |
| Height: | 19 ft 7 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 25,763 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 34,140 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 1,522 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 60,000 ft. |
Operators:
United KingdomRoyal Air Force units equipped with the Lightning F.1:
Air Fighting Development Squadron, RAF Coltishall
No.74 Squadron, RAF Coltishall and RAF Leuchars from 1964
No.226 OCU (and its predecessors) at RAF Coltishall and , RAF Middleton St. George.
The Target Facilities Flights of Binbrook, Leuchars and Wattisham used small numbers of the F.1 as did No.111 Squadron at RAF Wattisham in her early years.
Random great photos of the English Electric Lightning F1:
