English Electric Lightning F.6
English Electric · UK · first flew 1964 · fighter
The F.6 is the definitive Lightning: more fuel, better wings, and the large ventral tank-and-weapon pack that finally gave the aircraft operationally useful endurance. It is the most numerous and longest-serving RAF Lightning mark.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Large ventral fuel/weapons pack under fuselage — the most prominent belly fairing of any Lightning |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large ventral fuel/weapons pack under fuselage — the most prominent belly fairing of any Lightning
- Extended wing leading edge with kinked, cambered outer section — clearly visible in plan view
- Overwing fuel tanks almost invariably fitted, giving the distinctive double-hump top profile
The large ventral pack and kinked, cambered outer wing leading edge are definitive F.6 features shared by no other Lightning mark. Overwing tanks appear on most parked examples. Against the F.3, the belly pack is unmistakeable.
Specifications
- The English Electric Lightning F.6 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 1964; 39 F.6s built plus conversions of F.3s. Equipped RAF squadrons in UK air defence and RAF Germany until 1988, when Tornado F.3 replaced it. The F.6 also formed the basis for Saudi and Kuwaiti export variants.
Variants
The F.6 was export-developed into the F.53 (Saudi/Kuwait). The T.5 two-seater is the trainer equivalent but lacks the full F.6 ventral pack.
Where you'll see it
RAF 5, 11, 23, 29, 56, 74, 111 Squadrons 1966-1988. Saudi Arabia until the 1980s. Over 20 airframes survive in UK museums; the Lightning Preservation Group at Bruntingthorpe maintained airworthy examples for ground runs.
Related aircraft
- English Electric Lightning F.3
- English Electric Lightning T.5
- English Electric Lightning F.1
- English Electric Lightning P.1A
- Convair Model 48 Charger
- Helwan HA-300
- MiG-21FL
- MiG-21PFM
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