THE SONIC SPEAR

The early trials of the soon-to-be legendary English Electric Lightning sees aircraft P1B XA847, in company with its two sister prototypes, power through the skies over southern England, late 1958.

In the late 1950s the Royal Air Force encountered an ever-growing threat of Russian nuclear armed strategic bombers. Coupled with the need to defend the airfields housing the V-bomber force, the RAF needed a quick response to anyone infiltrating air space. The answer was the English Electric Lightning, one of the finest, fastest and most formidable interceptors ever built. Its distinctive swept wings made it instantly recognisable, and the twin vertically stacked Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines produced such thrust that the aircraft could stand on its tail in a sheer vertical climb and still break the sound barrier! It’s little surprise that the RAF’s nimble Lightnings would protect the skies over Britain for over a quarter of a century, a feat demonstrating the Electric Lightning’s unique position in British aviation design.

Fondly known as ‘The Sonic Spear’, it’s also the title given to Philip West’s latest painting which commemorates the early days of this magnificent single-seat interceptor. Using his talents as one of the leading aviation artists, Philip depicts Lightning P1B XA847in company with her two sister prototypes as they power through the skies. On 25 November 1957 English Electric’s Chief Test Pilot Roland Beamont, flying XA847, became the first British pilot to exceed Mach 2 – twice the speed of sound – and XA847 was the very aircraft used in the official ‘Lightning’ naming ceremony in 1958.

Today XA847 is under full restoration to embark on another journey helping to keep this amazing legacy alive. The project is being led by former RAF pilot, commercial airline pilot and author Captain Ian Black, the last Royal Air Force pilot to pass through the Lightning Training Course at RAF Binbrook. Adding significant historical importance, every Limited Edition print of ‘The Sonic Spear’ is issued hand-signed by Ian Black along with a fellow RAF Lightning pilot.