English Electric Lightning

The English Electric Lightning has the distinction of being the only all British supersonic fighter to have served with the Royal Air Force. It was designed primarily as a rapid interceptor against the threat of enemy bombers during the Cold War. It still has one of the fastest climb to altitude rates of any military aircraft, with an initial climb rate of 50 000 ft per minute. The ideal operating ceiling was 60 000 ft, but it has been recorded to reach 80 000 ft. It was powered by twin Rolls Royce Avon turbo jet engines. The type first flew on 4th August 1954 and went into service with the RAF in 1959.
The Yorkshire Air Museum has Lightning F.6 XS903 amongst its aircraft collection, with the F.6 being recognised as the ultimate version, as it was also fitted with Aden canons, in addition to wing mounted missiles, so was an all round fighter /interceptor. XS903 was built at Salmesbury and first flew on 17th August 1966, joining 5 Squadron at Binbrook. It alternated with in service with 11 Squadron, returning to 5 Squadron serving in Akrotiri, Cyprus.

The Lightning's were retired in 1988 and XS903 was flown to Elvington to the Yorkshire Air Museum on 18th May 1988.