Lightning XR728
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft and was the first aircraft in the world capable of supercruise. The Lightning was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; pilots commonly described it as "being saddled to a skyrocket".
Built as an F.3, XR728 first flew on 17th March 1965, being delivered to Warton for storage until converted to an F.6 and then delivered to 23 Squadron in November 1967. She also served with 5, 56, and 11 Squadrons and the LTF, finishing her career with the LTF as the Binbrook Station CO's personal aircraft (hence the 'JS' coding on the fin). After retirement she was bought by the Lightning Preservation Group and her final flight was to Bruntingthorpe on 24th June 1988. XR728 is very well looked after by the LPG and performs regular fast taxi runs on the long runway at Bruntingthorpe airfield.
Lightning XR728
The English Electric Lightning is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, noted for its great speed. It is the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft and was the first aircraft in the world capable of supercruise. The Lightning was renowned for its capabilities as an interceptor; pilots commonly described it as "being saddled to a skyrocket".
Built as an F.3, XR728 first flew on 17th March 1965, being delivered to Warton for storage until converted to an F.6 and then delivered to 23 Squadron in November 1967. She also served with 5, 56, and 11 Squadrons and the LTF, finishing her career with the LTF as the Binbrook Station CO's personal aircraft (hence the 'JS' coding on the fin). After retirement she was bought by the Lightning Preservation Group and her final flight was to Bruntingthorpe on 24th June 1988. XR728 is very well looked after by the LPG and performs regular fast taxi runs on the long runway at Bruntingthorpe airfield.