@ Tucson, AZ
March 2018
The last bits of an Arizona sunset are reflected on this English Electric Lightning, part of the extensive collection at the Pima Air & Space Museum. First flown in 1954, the twin-engined Lightning was the only domestically developed Mach 2 fighter operated by the Royal Air Force. The Lightning entered service with the RAF in 1960 as an interceptor and remained in RAF service until 1988. The Mk.53 variant is the export version of the F.6 version of the Lightning, including two underwing hard points that added air-to-ground capability to the aircraft. This example wears the markings of Number 5 Squadron, RAF.