The English Electric Lightning

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[Colonel_Overkill]

The wings played an important part on this aircraft, they kept the wingtip lights in place. Lift was an afterthought thanks to the engines....

[StevenKeery]

I attended an air show as a young boy where one of these Lightnings was flown.
It did the vertical manoeuvre and the noise was unbelievable. I literally thought my skull was about to explode and I wished the ground would just open and swallow me up.
I still love airshows and Lightnings and thankfully my hearing recovered. 😂

[eaglekeeper]

As a retired USAF fighter crewchief mechanic. That thing must have been a nightmare to work on.

[kenjepson]

I've seen these at air shows, phenomenal sound, always a favourite.

[colinhutchinson]

My late father was in the RAF Regiment for 24 years and in 1966 he was posted to Singapore at RAF Tengah. We went with him and I started school there. My infant school was separated by a tarmac road from the airfield perimeter fence and during breaks we'd go outside and watch the planes take off right next to the fence. Of all the types there my favourite was the Lightning which took off on full afterburner and landed deploying it's brake chute.

[jamesdykes]

Check out the poor sap that accidentally launched himself untrained in a Lightening then had to put her down... Apparently the take off was so quick ole boy had to haul back on the sticks and fly, or smash the area in front of him that might have had people. Then, he had to learn to land, just as quickly.

[Fidd-mcsz]

Amongst the many stories told by RAF veterans, there's a type of story, much loved, known as "WIWOL" stories: "When I was on Lightnings". Because of the unmatched performance, they were in a class of their own.

[robertmarsh]

Amazing aircraft. I loved watching Lightning air displays, especially the signature end of the show with a vertical climb until it disappeared from view.
Listen to the Taffy Holden story. Quite incredible.

[olliefoxx]

The British use to make innovative and beautiful aircraft. The Harrier jet is also a British design and of course the Spitfire. I wish they had kept making their own fighters and bombers. The French also have a unique design and vision. Well, they use to. Its all one big corporation running things now.

[Houndini]

I rate the Taffy Holden story #1 of all THG clips. At least I rewatched that story twice if not more yearly.

[xanderunderwoods]

One of my favorite aircraft of all time

[isaiahalleman]

Speed mach 2.0 (about 1, 300 mph or 2, 100 km/h at altitude)

[norwichnorfolk]

Watched these planes at Coltishall when I was a boy 👍

[benvandermerwe]

There was one at Thunder City, Cape Town airport in the early 2000's.
ZAR 75 000 for a higher altitude climb and scenic flight around the Cape Peninsula.
Standing next it when starting up was petrolhead heaven and then the thundering power climb on afterburner after takeoff.
Crashed at the Bredasdorp airshow after technical problem and pilot killed due to faulty ejection seat.

[Alan-nd]

I used to see them going Vertical after take off from RAF Leuchars !

[fatbass]

Awsome aircraft, remember them taking off from Binbrook and hitting mach 2 bloody quick ...

[alun]

The "Frightening" was a glorious beast, but very dangerous and never reached its full potential. The engine arrangement led to many problems, often related to fire. Maintenance was also a nightmare due to the layout - the upper engine had to be removed with a crane!

[Cdr_Mansfield_Cumming]

And it was the loudest goody thing you'll ever hear when it flew over you. I remember it at an Air Show in Coventry. The Lightening flew low over the crowd and shook everyone that much the entire crowd hit the ground in unison. I have never witnessed anything like it before or after in my life.

[tomweickmann]

A lot of really cool innovations came out the year I was born.
Unfortunately I was not one of them.😒

[ScionOfLiberty]

I miss English air power. I’m American.