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Lightning Technical Data
| Variant |
Engines/Thrust |
Weights |
Dimensions |
Distinguishing Features |
| P.1A |
2 x Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire Sa5, 7,500lb each: later replaced by Sapphire 5R 9,200lb with reheat |
22,221lb Empty |
Span: 34ft 10in |
Original prototypes to F23/49 Max speed Mach 1.53 (1,011 mph) at 36,000 ft |
| P1.B |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 200R (later 210R) 14,430lb Each with reheat |
24,816lb Empty; |
Span: 34ft 10in; |
Fighter Prototype, |
| Lightning |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 200R |
25,753lb |
As P1.B Except |
First production version AI 23 radar,VHF radio (Later replaced by UHF) 2 x 30mm Aden cannon in nose 2 x Firestreak missiles or alternative weapons pack Mach 2.2 approx |
| Lightning |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 210R with revised, four position reheat throttle control |
25,737lb Empty |
As F.1 |
First version with in-flight refueling UHF radio, external cable ducts to missile pylons |
| Lightning F.2 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 210R with fully variable |
27,000lb |
As F.1 |
Revised cockpit including partial OR946 specification, liquid oxygen breathing system, standby turbo generator for DC electrical supply identified by small scoop on dorsal spine |
| Lightning |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 211R |
27,000lb |
As F.1 except wing area: |
F.2 rebuilt to incorporate some F.6 features: kinked, cambered
wing square cut fin, enlarged ventral fuel tank 2 x Aden |
| Lightning F.3 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 301R, 12,690lb thrust (dry) and 16,360lb thrust (reheat) |
26,905lb |
as F.1 |
Square cut fin of 15% greater area deletion of in-built cannon more advanced radar AI 23B which allowed either Red Top collision course missiles or Firestreak. Full OR946 integrated flight system |
| Lightning |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 301R, 12,690lb thrust (dry) and 16,360lb thrust (reheat) |
28,041lb |
As F.3 Except wing |
Kinked, cambered wing for greater area and enlarged ventral tank |
| Lightning T.4 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 210R |
27,000LB |
As F.1 |
Two seat, dual control trainer version of F.1A; deletion of cannon from upper nose |
| Lightning T.5 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 301R |
27,000LB |
As F.3 |
Two seat, dual control trainer version of F.3 with capability of carrying either Red Top or Firestreak missiles |
| Lightning F.6 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 301R |
28,041LB Empty |
As F.3A |
Full production version of F.3A with provision to carry over-wing fuel tanks and some small improvement to equipment |
| Lightning F.53 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 302C |
Similar to F.6 |
As F.3A |
Export version of F.6 with the capability to carry a wider range of ordanance from over or under wing pylons AI 23S radar (export version of AI 23B) |
| Lightning T.55 |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon 302C |
Similar to F.6 |
As F.3A |
Export version of T.5 with the enlarged ventral tank, kinked |
In the course of its long RAF service, most versions of Lightning were subject to the incorporation of many modifications, mostly without significant external evidence of change.� Many were concerned with improving the fire prevention integrity of the engine bays and jet pipes, where the high incidence of fires caused the loss of a high proportion of the Lightnings which were written off in flying accidents.
Modifications to operational equipment were relatively few, because they were not considered cost-effective in an aircraft which was not expected to remain in service for more than a decade!� However, limited improvements were made to the AI 23B radar, resulting in the AI 23C and finallyAI 23D versions.
