The RAF rejected the Lightning after receiving three aircraft (AE978 - AE980) which remained in the US. Lockheed insisted the RAF take the 667 aircraft ordered by the Anglo-French purchasing committee. The stand-off ended when the US entered the war and needed fighters itself. The RAF reevaluated the aircraft later but after testing in the UK turned down the type a second time. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library