English Electric Lightning F1A Aircraft Data
The Lightning F.1A quickly superseded the F.1 on the Samlesbury production line. The F.1A was powered by the RA.24R Mk.210R axial-flow turbojet. This version differed from the Mk.200R in having a revised four-position reheat throttle control. The Lightning F.1A was equipped with the Ferranti A.I.23 Airpass radar, UHF-radio and armed with two Firestreak air-to-air missiles, the cabling for these ran through externally fitted ducts to the pylons. The F.1A carried two 30mm Aden cannon in the nose.
Contrary to the F.1, the F.1A was capable of in-flight refuelling, by means of a detachable probe under the port wing.
No.56 Squadron at RAF Wattisham took delivery of the first aircraft, with XM172 arriving on 14 December 1960. By 1962 the squadron became fully operational on the Lightning.
Contrary to the F.1, the F.1A was capable of in-flight refuelling, by means of a detachable probe under the port wing.
No.56 Squadron at RAF Wattisham took delivery of the first aircraft, with XM172 arriving on 14 December 1960. By 1962 the squadron became fully operational on the Lightning.
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 16 August 1960
- Initial Service Date:
- No. Built: 28
- No. In Service: 0
- No. of Hardpoints: 2
- Crew: 1
Power:
2 Rolls Royce RA.24R Avon Mk.210R at 14,430 lbf
Weapons:
Two De Havilland Firestreak infra-red homing air-to-air missiles
Two 30mm Aden cannon in the nose.
Two 30mm Aden cannon in the nose.
Dimensions:
| Length: | 55 ft 3 in. |
| Wing Span: | 34 ft 10 in. |
| Wing Area: | 458.5 sq.ft |
| Height: | 19 ft 5 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 25,737 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 34,140 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 1,390 mph |
Operators:
United KingdomRoyal Air Force units equipped with the Lightning F.1A were:
No.56 Squadron, RAF Wattisham
No.111 Squadron, RAF Wattisham
No.145 Squadron/226 OCU, RAF Middleton St. George
The F.1A was also in use with the Target Facilities Flights at Binbrook, Leuchars and Wattisham, though in small numbers, as did Nos. 5 and 23 Squadron at Binbrook and Leuchars respectively. No.5 Squadron's XM183 'X' was noted in early 1974 flying on target facility duties.
Random great photos of the English Electric Lightning F1A:
