English Electric Lightning F3 Aircraft Data
Development Batch aircraft XG310 was brought up to F.3 standard and made her first flight as such on 18 November 1961. This version introduced the Avon Mk.301 series turbojet developing a static thrust of 12,590lb (5,710kg/56,0kN) dry and 16,360lb (7,420kg/72,77kN) with reheat.
With the full tactical air navigation system (as specified in OR946) and equipped with the more advanced A.I.23B Airpass radar and associated Red Top air-to-air missiles giving the Lightning the much-needed collision-course interception capability. The cannon armament of the earlier versions was deemed unnecessary with the introduction of the advanced Red Top and therefore not installed in the F.3. This would prove to be a serious shortcoming.
With the full tactical air navigation system (as specified in OR946) and equipped with the more advanced A.I.23B Airpass radar and associated Red Top air-to-air missiles giving the Lightning the much-needed collision-course interception capability. The cannon armament of the earlier versions was deemed unnecessary with the introduction of the advanced Red Top and therefore not installed in the F.3. This would prove to be a serious shortcoming.
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- First Flight: 18 November 1961
- Initial Service Date: 14 April 1964
- No. Built: 70
- No. In Service: 0
- No. of Hardpoints: 2
- Crew: 1
Power:
2 Rolls Royce RA.24R Avon Mk.301R at 12,590 lbf
Weapons:
Two De Havilland Firestreak or two Red Top air-to-air missiles.
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: | 26,905 lbs |
Performance:
| Service Ceiling: | 60,000 ft. |
Operators:
United KingdomThe Lightning F.3 was in use with five operational Royal Air Force squadrons as well as No.226 Operational Conversion Unit.
No.74 Squadron at RAF Leuchars was the first operational unit to receive the F.3, with XP700 delivered on 14 April 1964.
No.23 Squadron, also based at RAF Leuchars followed shortly.
No.111 Squadron at RAF Wattisham had her first Lightning F.3 delivered on December 1964.
No.56 Squadron, also at Wattisham, received the first aircraft in February 1965. The 'Firebirds relocated to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in April 1967.
No.29 Squadron left Akrotiri for Wattisham in 1967 for conversion from the Javelin to the F.3. These machines came from No.74 Squadron as the Tigers were in the process of converting to the Lightning F.6.
No.226 OCU at RAF Coltishall operated a number of F.3s. After disbandment of the OCU, the Lightning Training Flight (LTF) at RAF Binbrook continued to operate some F.3s until the final retirement of the Lightning from RAF-service in 1987.
Random great photos of the English Electric Lightning F3:
