English Electric Lightning F.3

English Electric · UK · first flew 1962 · fighter

The F.3 introduced the more powerful Avon 301R engines and the Red Top all-aspect missile, upgrading the Lightning's combat punch at the cost of continued limited range. The squared vertical fin is the key visual marker.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, delta
E — Engines	2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	16.84 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Squared-off fin with no pronounced curved leading edge — more angular top than F.1 or F.6
Avon 301 engines give noticeably larger jetpipe fairings at the rear
Red Top missiles instead of Firestreaks; slightly larger seeker heads visible on the weapon bays

The squared fin tip distinguishes the F.3 from the F.6 (which has a curved fin top and prominent ventral tank). Against the F.1, the larger engine jetpipes and squared fin confirm the F.3. Red Top missiles (wider seeker heads) versus Firestreaks also help.

Specifications

The English Electric Lightning F.3 has a length of 16.84 m (55 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.61 m (35 ft).
Its maximum speed is 2415 km/h (1501 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flight 1962; 62 built. It replaced F.1As in RAF squadrons from 1964 and equipped UK and Germany-based units. Recognised as an interim type pending the definitive F.6, but served in frontline roles until the early 1970s.

Variants

The F.3A was an upgrade with overwing tanks added later. The T.5 is the two-seat trainer with broadly F.3 airframe.

Where you'll see it

RAF squadrons in UK and Germany 1964-1974. Static examples at Duxford (IWM) and various UK collections.

Related aircraft

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