[DADoser]

First, I'm not really that into Cold War jets (except a few Phantoms). However, the more I look at this aircraft, the more it grows on me.

What's the perspective on Corgi's English Electric Lightnings?

Are these models very popular? More popular in the Commonwealth vs. U.S.?

If you were comparing this aircraft to an equivalent U.S. bird, what would it be - i.e. performance, historical era/significance, etc.?

How do the Corgi models rate as far as accurate representation of this aircraft?

If you have one, please post a review.

Thanks,
DADoser

[Berkut76]

I'm wondering the same thing. I was trying to get one, but there are seem to be a few and far in between on the US eBay. Furthermore, I want a war paint one as opposed to an acrobatic team paint scheme.

Regards,

Sergey

[planenuts]

I have AA32305 English Electric Lightning F.1A XM184:A - No.111 Sqn, RAF Wattisham, 1964.

It is excellent Once the E.E. Lightning gets under your skin you've got to have one! It's one of my favorit jet models....get one!

[Black 6]

I have to agree with Pnuts here. My EE (AA32306) was one of my first jet purchases and I still consider it a piece of eye candy. I would love to add more but they are difficult and expensive when found in the US (at least for all the versions I have tried to get).

According to Francis Crosby of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, "the Lightning was the first aircraft to exceed the speed of sound in level flight over the UK." It has a "top speed of 2.5 times the speed of sound and a climb rate that few fighters have ever equalled, the Lightning was the fastest British fighter ever built."

I think that about sums up the qualities of this little baby! I recommend adding at least one to your collection.

[Raven]

AA32305 English Electric Lightning F.1A XM184:A - No.111 Sqn, RAF Wattisham, 1964.

I have this one also and it is a great piece. I picked it up last year after some major searching and it was worth the effort. Would like to pick up another but I have also found them few and far between (and pricey at that).

Like the Lancaster, this model appears to be a real success (a dozen versions and still a hard to find model). Why isn't Corgi putting a few more out there? No more squadrons left?

[von hitchofen]

the EE Lightning is roughly equivalent to the NAA F-100 Super Sabre, in that it was the RAFs first supersonic jet, and it served from 1960 to 1987.

unlike the F100 it never saw combat anywhere [not even the Saudi of Kuwaiti ones] so its pushing it a bit to call it a warbird!

I live near the former RAF base at Binbrook, which was the home of the last two RAF Lightning units, 5 and 11 Squadrons and I have many happy memories of them screaming over my school on the way to intercept a TU-95 "Bear" over the North Sea!

as a consequence I own AA32307 in my favorite grey/green camo from the late seventies, as the actual aeroplane must have loosened a few of my roof tiles at some point.

[djjeffhall]

I may be reaching here, but the Lightning (And to a slightly lesser degree the Hunter) are the quintesential British jets.

There are not that many modern front line interceptors that the Brits have produced. (I could be wrong, but the Tornado has been primarily a fighter-bomber like the F-105 and not an interceptor like the F-15 or F-16.) When the Lightning appeared, it qualified. It was certainly the fastest jet around at the time. (Or damn near it.)

Then again, I'm from the U.S. so what the Hell do I know?

[jim]

The Lightning held the world record for fastest climb rate to 60,000feet. I seem to remember that the F16 took the record from the Lightning. I am sure some of the chaps out in Hangerland will be able to give more details. Have a look at Thundercity South Africa, they have 3 flying examples. The campaign against aircraft (CAA) in Britain refused to allow a Lightning to fly even though it would be looked after by the original groundcrew and pilots from the RAF. IMHO the EEL was and still is the best short range interceptor ever built.Every nut and bolt was made in Britain.It was the last purely British designed and built aircraft. It did have an alarming tendency to leak fuel, but because it burnt fuel at an astronomical rate there wasnt much time before the tanks were dry anyway. QUOTE=djjeffhall;8692]I may be reaching here, but the Lightning (And to a slightly lesser degree the Hunter) are the quintesential British jets. Dont forget the Supermarine Swift.

There are not that many modern front line interceptors that the Brits have produced. (I could be wrong, but the Tornado has been primarily a fighter-bomber like the F-105 and not an interceptor like the F-15 or F-16.) When the Lightning appeared, it qualified. It was certainly the fastest jet around at the time. (Or damn near it.)

Then again, I'm from the U.S. so what the Hell do I know? [/quote]

[jim]

Originally Posted by von hitchofen

the EE Lightning is roughly equivalent to the NAA F-100 Super Sabre, in that it was the RAFs first supersonic jet, and it served from 1960 to 1987.

unlike the F100 it never saw combat anywhere [not even the Saudi of Kuwaiti ones] so its pushing it a bit to call it a warbird!

I live near the former RAF base at Binbrook, which was the home of the last two RAF Lightning units, 5 and 11 Squadrons and I have many happy memories of them screaming over my school on the way to intercept a TU-95 "Bear" over the North Sea!

as a consequence I own AA32307 in my favorite grey/green camo from the late seventies, as the actual aeroplane must have loosened a few of my roof tiles at some point.

I envy you. it must have been awesome

[admin]

I fell in love with this one as a child.

It's just one of the most unique aircraft to me. It was the first, and in some cases the only, aircraft that I had ever seen that had overwing fuel tanks, a "Divided Delta" wing, and two vertically stacked engines.

Simply one of the coolest "outside the box" military aircraft to ever take flight.