Splendid 1960s painted wooden scale model of an English Electric Lightning F6 interceptor with RAF military serial XP690, on original stand and with original wooden case.
Dimensions of model: 64 cm/25¼ inches (length) x 45 cm/17¾ inches (wing span) x 32cm/12⅝ inches (maximum height on stand).
Dimensions of box: 68.5 cm/27 inches (length) x 30.5 cm/12 inches (depth) x 20cm/7⅞ inches (height).
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 its staggering rate of climb 'going vertical!' The power required to achieve this was provided by not one, but two Rolls-Royce Avon jet engines!
The aircraft was not originally 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, in this role, 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. The F6 variant addressed this issue by having an additional large, 535 imperial gallons, ventral fuel tank. So extending the range of the aircraft.
