Price range: £75.00 through £300.00
English Electric Lightning T5 XS420, 226 OCU/145 Squadron RAF Coltishall, taking-off in full reheat. Gleaming like polished silver, the Lightning left an indelible mark on those who flew it, were associated with it, or simply loved it. This is a collector’s gem to keep those memories alive, and it is signed by 3 legendary Lightning test pilots.
Signatures:
English Electric Lightning Test Pilots:
This exhilarating limited edition print by Michael Rondot captures the English Electric Lightning T5 XS420 during a high-power departure. The painting depicts the aircraft in “full reheat” as it blasts off from the runway at RAF Coltishall. Specifically, the artwork features the silver-finished trainer variant of 226 OCU/145 Squadron. This limited edition print immortalizes the sheer brute force of the only all-British Mach 2 fighter. You can explore more Lightning art in our Classic Jets Collection today.
The Lightning featured a unique vertical, staggered configuration of its two Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines. This design minimized frontal area while providing immense thrust, allowing the aircraft to reach speeds above Mach 2. Indeed, pilots famously compared flying the Lightning to “being saddled to a skyrocket.” This limited edition print highlights the aircraft’s incredible rate of climb, which it used to intercept high-altitude Soviet bombers like the Tu-95 “Bear.” Consequently, the Lightning served as the UK’s primary supersonic shield for over two decades.
English Electric developed the Lightning to protect British nuclear airfields from supersonic threats. While its range remained a challenge, its performance at high altitudes was unrivaled in the 1960s and 70s. Notably, later F6 variants added over-wing fuel tanks to extend patrol times during long-range interceptions. This limited edition print reflects the aircraft’s transition from a pure interceptor to a versatile platform capable of reconnaissance. Moreover, the gleaming “polished silver” finish of the T5 variant makes this piece a standout for any aviation enthusiast.
Every limited edition print in this run possesses immense historical value. The artist personally signs each copy, but this specific edition also carries the signatures of three legendary Lightning test pilots. Notably, these include Roland Beamont, Jimmy Dell, and Johnny Squier—the men who first tamed this “skyrocket.” Finally, these signatures provide an unbreakable link to the pioneering days of British supersonic flight. In fact, obtaining signatures from the original test flight team on a single work is extremely rare. Therefore, shop our gallery today to secure your own piece of engineering heritage. You can see a Lightning up close by visiting the Lightning Preservation Group.
| Dimensions | 70 × 50 cm |
|---|---|
| Print Type | Signed and Numbered, Artists Proof, Remarque, Double Remarque, Canvas Print |
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