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MANUFACTURER
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British Aircraft Corp
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TYPE
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Lightning F Mk. 53
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SERIAL NUMBER
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53-686
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COUNTRY
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United Kingdom
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ROLE
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Supersonic Interceptor
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LENGTH
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55 Ft 3 In
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WING SPAN
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34 Ft 10 In
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HEIGHT
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19 Ft 7 In
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MAX SPEED
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1,5000 Mph at
40,000 Ft
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MAX ALTITUDE
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60,000 Ft
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ENGINE
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2x Rolls-Royce Avon 306c after burning turbojets giving 14,430 lbs of thrust
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CREW
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1. Pilot
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HISTORY
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One of thirty four aircraft built for the Royal Saudi Air Force, this example was first flown on 11th June 1968 and was in a static display at that years Farmborough air show. Delivery to Saudi Arabia took place on 17th April 1969 where it entered service with 2 Squadron at Khamis Mushayt Air Base as 53-686. Having been replaced by the F-15 Eagle, the Lightnings were returned to the UK in 1986 to an uncertain future. Having spent some time with a dealer of surplus military equipment, 53-686 (ZF592) was bought by a local enthusiast at the end of 2001. In February 2002 the aircraft arrived at the museum in kit form and is currently nearing the end of its rebuild.
Note:- Although the main fuselage and nose section are from ZF592, the wings are from its sister aircraft 53-700 (ZF589).
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