Lightning F.7

No. 92sqn

40^th anniversary BoB

RAF Telford

1980

     Development of the F.7 began in 1967 after the F.6 had entered service with the RAF. Reports of the range/endurance shortcomings and lack of speed to keep up with the newer generation of supersonic Soviet bombers moved English Electric to redesign the Lightning to keep pace. English Electric (later BAC) began by replacing the RR Avon 302 engines with the uprated Avon 306, which pushed the aircraft to Mach 2.8 while reducing dry thrust fuel consumption by 5%. The AI-23C radar was replaced by the redesigned AI-23E system, which introduced a IRTS above the intake lip, the nose mounted cannons were reintroduced with a new gas purge system (bringing the guns to 4), and 2 underwing pylons were installed for the radar-guided Fireflash ramjet-powered missile.

    23 F.7s were produced, with 40 F.3A/F.6s converted. The Aircraft entered service in late 1969. Combat endurance was increased to 1hr 50min without external tanks, which could be increased further with the use of in flight refueling, external tanks and replacing the ventral gunpack with a fuel cell (which most units regularly practiced). During long-range patrols 1 engine could be shut down to increase endurance, while the external tanks limit the aircraft to Mach 2.3. The F.7 saw frontline service until 1983 when it was slowly replaced by the Tornado F.2 and later the Tomcat FR.2. The last Lightning F.7 was retired from service in 1989 when 1400 Flt. based on Malta traded theirs for Tornado F.3s