| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | XA847 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | English Electric Lightning |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | English Electric Lightning |
| Aircraft Version: | English Electric P.1B Lightning |
| C/n (msn): | 95004 |
| Operator Titles: | UK - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | FarnboroughMap |
| Region / Country: | England, United Kingdom |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: EGLF IATA: FAB Local: - Other: - |
| Event: | Farnborough International 1994 |
| Photo Date: | 9 September 1994 |
| Photo by: | Tim Spearman |
| Photo ID: | 775917 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
On 25th November 1957 XA847 became the first British aircraft to exceed Mach 2 and went on to have a career at Boscombe Down testing various Lightning upgrades. Displayed at the RAF Museum from 1972, this significant airframe, having been replaced in the museum by a Lightning F.6, was unbelievably put up for tender in 1988 and came close to being scrapped. Rescued by a private individual and put into storage, it was re-assembled for display at Farnborough 1994 and also appeared at RIAT the following year. It has since gone back into storage with an owner in Kettleburgh Suffolk. This photo is copyright © Tim Spearman, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 5 February 2025, and has since been viewed 86 times. |