Lightning F.6

Lightning F.6. The English Electric Lightning F.6 was the definitive and final production variant of the iconic British supersonic interceptor. Developed to address the range limitations of earlier models, it featured enlarged, conformal ventral fuel tanks and retained the potent armament of its predecessor. Serving as the backbone of the Royal Air Force's air defence for over two decades, the F.6 was renowned for its exceptional rate of climb and high-altitude performance against potential threats from the Eastern Bloc.

Development and design

The development of the Lightning F.6 was driven by the operational experience of the Royal Air Force with the earlier Lightning F.3, which was criticized for its short endurance. Under the leadership of English Electric (and later British Aircraft Corporation following the 1960 merger), the primary design change was the integration of larger, non-jettisonable ventral fuel tanks, significantly increasing fuel capacity. This modification, alongside the retention of the F.3's powerful pair of Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines and its Ferranti AIRPASS radar, extended its patrol capability over the North Sea and GIUK gap. The design also incorporated an improved aerial refuelling probe, allowing for further mission extension through cooperation with Handley Page Victor tankers. The airframe was strengthened to carry two Red Top or older Firestreak infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, typically supplemented by a pack of twin 30mm ADEN cannon mounted in the ventral tank.

Operational history

Entering service with No. 74 Squadron RAF in 1965, the Lightning F.6 became the principal interceptor for RAF Fighter Command and later No. 11 Group RAF of RAF Strike Command. Its primary operational role was the quick-reaction alert duty, defending United Kingdom airspace against incursions by Soviet aircraft like the Tupolev Tu-95 and Tupolev Tu-22. Key bases included RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire, which became the type's main home, and RAF Wattisham. The F.6 saw frequent deployments to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and RAF Tengah in Singapore, demonstrating its reach. A notable detachment to RAF Luqa in Malta occurred during periods of tension in the Mediterranean Sea. The aircraft's incredible performance was famously showcased in the routine interception of high-flying American Lockheed U-2 spy planes during training exercises. The type was gradually phased out from the mid-1980s, largely replaced by the Panavia Tornado F.3, with the final squadron, No. 5 Squadron RAF, retiring its last F.6 in 1988.

Variants

The Lightning F.6 was a distinct production model, with 39 built new. The primary variant was the F.6 itself, which was also produced as the F.6A for the Royal Saudi Air Force. Furthermore, 31 existing F.3 airframes were rebuilt to the near-identical F.6 standard. A dedicated two-seat trainer version, the Lightning T.5, remained in service alongside the F.6, but no twin-stick version of the F.6 was manufactured. Several retired F.6s were later used as maintenance airframes or for technical training at units like No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF at RAF Halton.

Operators

The sole primary military operator was the Royal Air Force. Key operational units included No. 5 Squadron RAF, No. 11 Squadron RAF, No. 23 Squadron RAF, No. 29 Squadron RAF, No. 56 Squadron RAF, and No. 74 Squadron RAF. The Royal Saudi Air Force operated the closely related F.53 export variant, which was based on the F.6 airframe but with ground-attack capabilities, and not the F.6 proper. A small number of aircraft were also operated by the Empire Test Pilots' School at RAF Boscombe Down and by industry for test purposes. After retirement, many airframes were preserved by museums such as the Royal Air Force Museum London and the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

Specifications (Lightning F.6)

* **Crew:** 1 * **Length:** 55 ft 3 in (16.84 m) * **Wingspan:** 34 ft 10 in (10.62 m) * **Height:** 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m) * **Empty weight:** 31,000 lb (14,061 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 45,750 lb (20,752 kg) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Rolls-Royce Avon 301R afterburning turbojet engines * **Maximum speed:** Mach 2.0+ at 36,000 ft (11,000 m) * **Range:** 800 mi (1,300 km, 700 nmi) with internal fuel * **Service ceiling:** 60,000 ft (18,000 m) + * **Rate of climb:** 50,000 ft/min (250 m/s) * **Armament:** 2 × Red Top or Firestreak air-to-air missiles; 2 × 30mm ADEN cannon in ventral pack

Category:Military aircraft of the United Kingdom Category:Cold War fighter aircraft