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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.
