The Lightning was the end result of a supersonic research programme carried out by English Electric. The first aircraft, the P.1A, first flew in August 1954. A modified version intended to be the basis for an all weather interceptor, the P.1B, was first flown in April 1957. Three of these prototypes were built. During November 1958 the aircraft exceeded Mach 2 for the first time and also received the name Lightning. To facilitate further testing and to gain experience of supersonic aircraft the RAF ordered 20 pre-production aircraft.

Production aircraft were given the F.1 designation, the first F.1 aircraft flew in October 1959. Later additions such as the provision for in-flight refuelling and new radio changed the F.1 to an F.1A designation.

The F.2, when it first appeared in 1961, added enhanced performance, nosewheel steering, variable after burners, enhanced electronics and a modified fin.

The next variant was the F.3 which had 300 series Avon engines and the addition of the Red Top missile, plus the enhanced AI23B radar. With the F.3A came a new wing, kinked and cambered, addition fuel capacity with enlarged ventral tanks.

The F.6 was almost the same as the F.3A, new aircraft were built to this standard. Export versions to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were modified versions of the F.6 given the designation F.53.

To enable pilots to be trained on this high performance aircraft two seat training versions were built. The T.4 was a two seat variant based upon the F.1. Later training Lightnings, T.5s and T.55s were based upon the F.3, the T.55 being the export version of the T.5

Lightnings were designed as pure interceptors. Later modifications added more roles. It was as an interceptor that the RAF operated the Lightning. In the UK it provided fighter cover for the UK during the dark years of the cold war. Many intercepts of Russian reconnaissance and bomber aircraft being made over the North Sea on a daily basis. The Lightning pilots would be sitting in the aircraft in their QRA shelters waiting for the scramble.

Specifications (F.6):
        Engines: Two 13,200-pound thrust Rolls-Royce RA34R afterburning Avon 310 turbojets
        Weight: Empty 28,000 lbs., Max Takeoff 50,000 lbs.
        Wing Span: 34ft. 10in.
        Length: 55ft. 3in.
        Height: 19ft. 7in.
        Performance:
            Maximum Speed at 40,000 ft: 1,500 mph (Mach 2.3)
            Ceiling: 60,000 ft.
            Range: 800 miles
        Armament:
            * Two 30-mm Aden guns in ventral pack
            * Two Firestreak or Red Top air-to-air missiles, or
              44 50.4-mm (2-inch) rockets, or
              Five Vinteen 360 70-mm cameras and linescan equipment and underwing flares
            * Up to 144 rockets or six 1,000-pound bombs on underwing/overwing hardpoints

Number Built: 339

Number Still Airworthy: Two