English Electric Lightning - Variants

Variants

English Electric P.1A

Single-seat supersonic research aircraft, two prototypes built and one static test airframe

English Electric P.1B

Single-seat operational prototypes to meet Specification F23/49, three prototypes built, further 20 development aircraft ordered in February 1954. Type was officially named 'Lightning' in October 1958.

Lightning F.1

Development batch aircraft, single-seat fighters delivered from 1959, a total of 19 built (and one static test airframe). Nose-mounted twin 30 mm ADEN cannon, two Firestreak missiles, VHF Radio and Ferranti AI-23 "AIRPASS" radar.

Lightning F.1A

Single-seat fighter, delivered in 1961. Featured Avon 210R engines, an in-flight refuelling probe and UHF Radio; a total of 28 built.

Lightning F.2

Single-seat fighter (an improved variant of the F.1), delivered in 1962. A total of 44 built with 31 later modified to F.2A standard, five later modified to F.52 for export to Saudi Arabia.

Lightning F.2A

Single-seat fighter (F.2s upgraded to near F.6 standard); featuring Avon 211R engines, retained ADEN cannon and Firestreak (replacable Firestreak pack swappable with ADEN Cannon Pack for a total of four ADEN Cannons), arrestor hook and enlarged Ventral Tank for two hours flight endurance. A total of 31 converted from F.2.

Lightning F.3

Single-seat fighter with upgraded AI-23B radar, Avon 301R engines, new Red Top missiles, enlarged and clipped tailfin due to aerodynamics of carriage of Red Top, and deletion of ADEN cannon. A total of 70 built (at least nine were converted to F.6 standard).

Lightning F.3A

Single-seat fighter with extended range of 800 miles due to large ventral tank and new cambered wings. A total of 16 built at the end of F.3 production, known also as an F.3 Interim version or F.6 Interim Version, 15 later modified to full F.6 standard.

Lightning T.4

Two-seat side-by-side training version, based on the F.1A; two prototypes and 20 production built, two aircraft later converted to T.5 prototypes, two aircraft later converted to T.54.

Lightning T.5

Two-seat side-by-side training version, based on the F.3; 22 production aircraft built. One former RAF aircraft later converted to T.55 for Saudi Arabia.

Lightning F.6

Single-seat fighter (an improved longer-range variant of the F.3). Featured new wings with better efficiency and subsonic performance, overwing fuel tanks and larger ventral fuel tank, reintroduction of 30 mm cannons (initially no cannons but later in the forward part of ventral pack rather than in nose), use of Red Top missile. Total of 39 built (also nine converted from F.3 and 15 from F.3A).

Lightning F.52

Slightly modified ex-RAF F.2 single-seat fighters for export to Saudi Arabia (five converted).

Lightning F.53

Export version of the F.6 with pylons for bombs or unguided rocket pods, 44 × 2 in (50 mm), total of 46 built and one converted from F.6 (12 F.53Ks for the Kuwaiti Air Force, 34 F.53s for the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force, one aircraft crashed before delivery).

Lightning T.54

Ex-RAF T.4 two-seat trainers supplied to Saudi Arabia (two converted).

Lightning T.55

Two-seat side-by-side training aircraft (export version of the T.5), eight built (six T.55s for the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force, two T.55Ks for the Kuwaiti Air Force and one converted from T.5 that crashed before delivery).

Sea Lightning FAW.1

Proposed two-seat Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier capable variant with variable-geometry wing; not built.