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XP745: One of the Last Surviving Lightning F3 Interceptors

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English Electric Lightning XP745 and Hawker Hunter WT555 (Image: Benjamin Sadler; Lightning XP745 and Hunter WT555)

For almost two decades, from October 1976, visitors to RAF Boulmer were met with the sight of an English Electric Lightning F3 interceptor, which occupied the entrance to a small complex opposite the main base. Then, in November 1992, it was gone, replaced by a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom FGR.2 (XV415). The site in which the Lightning, serial number XP745, was displayed was later abandoned. Its buildings were demolished and all that remains today is a small network of broken concrete roads.

For some time it was believed that Lightning XP745 had been largely scrapped, with only the cockpit section saved for preservation. In reality, however, the Cold War aircraft wasn’t broken up and may arguably be one of the best surviving examples of its kind.

Unlike most preserved Lightnings, XP745’s wings and fin weren’t hacked off for transport. Instead, RAF Boulmer’s former gate guardian was dismantled properly, in a major engineering feat that required the deconstruction of the fuselage in a bid to remove the wings and tail.

English Electric Lightning XP745 at Vanguard Self Storage in London (Image: Matt Brown; Lightning XP745 cockpit section)

The dismantling effort was carried out by Vanguard Engineering of Greenford, London, where Lightning XP745 remains in storage alongside WT555, the oldest surviving Hawker Hunter. Although XP745 has never been reassembled, the aircraft has been cosmetically refurbished since its time at RAF Boulmer and is in excellent condition. Its early model F3 wings, with straight leading edges, are stored in the same building.

Of 70 examples of the Lightning F3 variant produced, only five complete aircraft survive (excluding several definitive F6 jets that were built as F3s and later upgraded). Of those, only XP713 and XR749 remain intact. Two others – XP706 and XR718 – were cut for transport and have never been fully reassembled. Should XP745 be put back together again in the future, she will arguably one of the best preserved examples of English Electric’s iconic fighter, having spent over two decades indoors.

English Electric Lightning XP745 rear fuselage with vintage ejection seat (Image: Matt Brown; Lightning XP745 rear fuselage and ejection seat)

Lightning XP745 first flew in 1964 and was delivered to the RAF the following year. Fitted with twin Avon 301R engines, she was armed with two Red Top missiles during her operational life. Like many Lightning F3s, which had a relatively short service career, XP745 flew for just over 10 years. She was later allocated the maintenance serial 8453M and took on the role of gate guardian at RAF Boulmer in 1976, coded H of 29 Squadron.

After moving to Greenford, she was understood to be undergoing restoration for display outside the ‘Lightning Pub’ (Nuffield Arms) adjacent to Vanguard Self Storage’s premises. But the plan didn’t go ahead and the pub was later demolished. As a result, this rarely-seen Lightning has remained hidden away in storage ever since, a quiet survivor of the breed.

Related – Abandoned Aircraft on the Otterburn Bombing Ranges

The post XP745: One of the Last Surviving Lightning F3 Interceptors appeared first on Urban Ghosts Media.


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