sam - EE Lightning

English Electric Lightning F53 {ZF583}

Developed as an interceptor in the 1950s, Lightnings were capable of Mach 2 and climb at 50,000 ft/min - only drawback was the limited range and as the airframes aged the fuel tanks became somewhat leaky.

The example on display is an export variant of the F6 which went to the Royal Saudi Air Force, her last flight for the RSAF was 7th January 1986.
She was acquired for SAM from BAE and arrived by road on the 8th January 1989. Recently [2022?] repainted into 56(F) squadron colours.