Developed to intercept increasingly capable Soviet bombers such as the Tupolev Tu-16, Tu-22 and Tu-95, the English Electric/BAC Lightning had a phenomenal rate of climb, a high ceiling, and a top speed of over 1,300mph at 36,000ft, and is a favourite of both aviation enthusiasts…
The English Electric Lightning entered RAF squadron service in 1960 and continued flying in the interceptor role until 1988. The aircraft's safety record, however, left much to be desired. There was a 6% chance of a pilot experiencing an engine fire and a one in four chance that…
"The English Electric Lightning entered RAF squadron service in 1960 and continued flying in the interceptor role until 1988. It had a stunning world-beating performance with a top speed in excess of Mach 2 and a climb rate that would take it to 40,000 feet in a little over 3 mi…
![Lockheed P-38 Lightning in USA[A]F-French-Italian-Chinese Nationalist service](https://covers.openlibrary.org/b/isbn/0668021136-M.jpg?default=false)