Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: O.C. on August 04, 2019, 04:22:47 AM
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The first flight of WG 760 English Electric Lightening.... blimey how time flies ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TqyLe5U8ac (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TqyLe5U8ac)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4wuvw_5GM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-4wuvw_5GM)
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That certainly brought a smile to my eyes! Thanks!
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I was not aware of the Lightening. Thanks for the information.
Mach 2 in 1958! Wow!!
Ride safe, Ted
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Mach 2 was reached earlier than that in experimental and interceptor class fighters... With that being said however, British aircraft design (INMHO), hasn't been matched by anyone up to this point. And by that I mean their unique airframe designs. Too bad they are basically out of that business these days.
The Electric Lightening was the FIRST fighter to achieve supercruise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercruise (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercruise)
https://www.boldmethod.com/blog/lists/2014/10/the-worlds-first-10-supersonic-jets/ (https://www.boldmethod.com/blog/lists/2014/10/the-worlds-first-10-supersonic-jets/)
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Only the prototypes could supercruise without burner.
The Republic F-105 prototype using a smaller engine than the production model went supersonic at sea level in 1955.
At altitude it could reach Mach 2.15.
Oh yes...did I mention it was a bomber and could carry a heavier load than a B-17 and had a radius of 750 miles?
The Lightnig's radius was 150 miles. Some models had an increased radius but that was reduced when guns were installed.
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150 miles? That is correct for supersonic intercept. Normal range was about 850 but I guess those numbers also depend on possibly the variant in question.
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I remember hearing my first "sonic boom" in Cleveland Ohio, circa 1961... we had a Nike Missile site, a few miles from my home... and saw F104's on "occaisions"... my favorite plane ever...
The military disavowed any such thing as a "missile site"... but we will never know for sure... my brother said it was there, so i believe him when he told me "what it really was".. ::) 8) 8) ;)