Lightning Eject (Hardback)
The Dubious Safety Record of Britain's Only Supersonic Fighter
Imprint: Pen & Sword Aviation
Pages: 184
ISBN: 9781848848856
Published: 29th August 2012
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The English Electric Lightning entered RAF squadron service in 1960 and continued flying in the interceptor role until 1988. It had a stunning world-beating performance with a top speed in excess of Mach 2 and a climb rate that would take it to 40,000 feet in a little over 3 minutes. The aircraft’s safety record, however, left much to be desired. During a period in the early 1970s the attrition rate was the loss of a Lightning every month. There was a six per cent chance of a pilot experiencing an engine fire and a one in four chance that he would not survive.
This book looks at Lightning accidents and incidents in chronological order using the official accident reports, Board of Enquirey findings and first-hand accounts from pilots. It puts the reader very much ‘in the cockpit’.
The book deals with a large number of the accidents, a sober story but which deserves to be told.
Aeroplane Monthly
An interesting bit of reading.
Aeromilitaria
About Peter Caygill
Peter Caygill is one of Britain's leading aviation history authors. His meticulous research and personal interviews with ex-pilots and aircrew have lead to the publication of many successful books such as Jet Jockeys, Spitfire Mk V in Action and Lightning from the Cockpit. He lives in Darlington, Co. Durham.