Two Lightning F53s of the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force on finals over Half Moon Bay to Dhahran airport.

First series production Lightning Mk 6, XR754, on test over the Lake District.

Lightning XA847 with “Stage 2” fin and low speed mock-up of the long ventral tank.

The author flying the Mk 3 development Lightning, XG310, with “Stage 3” fin in its final form.

The first series production Lightning Mk 6, XR754, on test over the Lake District.

The same aircraft with long ventral tank and fins plus a dorsal fin fillet.

The first prototype Lightning, XA847, photographed after reaching Mach 2 in October 1958, with the author at the controls. Note that the aircraft still retains the “small” fin.

The author making the first flight of the prototype Lightning Mk 6, XP697 from Filton on April 17, 1964.

Roland Beamont flying the Lightning prototype, XA847, from Warton, spring 1957. The aircraft is seen with the original fin.

The technology demonstrator. View of the English Electric P.1 prototype at Boscombe Down in August 1954. The view shows WG760 during its first flight, in the hands of the Roland Beamont, on August 4, 1954.

The technology demonstrator. View of the English Electric P.1 prototype at Boscombe Down in August 1954.