English Electric Lightning Model

A magnificent original painted wooden model of A Lightning F3, Circa 1962, on newly made stand.
The Lightning was the RAF's first supersonic aircraft, and is the only British designed and built plane capable of flying at speeds in excess of Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound). Amongst other things, it was renowned for it's stagering rate of climb 'going vertical!'
The aircraft was not built as a fighter, but as an interceptor. It was designed before the days of intercontinental missiles so it's job was to gain height as rapidly as it could and destroy any incoming enemy aircraft armed with a nuclear bomb. Consequently, its low fuel capacity was not seen to be an issue, as the expected flight time was to be measured in minutes rather than hours.

Dimensions: 62 cm/24½ inches (length) x 46 cm/18 inches (wing span) x 61 cm/24 inches (height)