English Electric Lightning F53 Military Aircraft (SOLD)

Outstanding example of the iconic British fighter. Ex-museum exhibit, complete non-flying aircraft with afterburner/jet-pipe assemblies installed, but Avon engines removed. This English Electric Lightning ZF580 is an ex-Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force Lightning F53. The aircraft saw active service with the RSAF before being retired in the late 1980s.

Type:
Airplane (Military)
Manufacturer:
English Electric
Model:
Lightning F.53
Year:
Enquire
Serial Number:
Enquire
Reg. Number:
ZF580
Total Time:
Enquire
Seats:
1
Price:
Price Upon Request

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Description

ZF580 is currently finished in a high-gloss colour-scheme & markings representing Lightning F.6 XS935 ‘AK’ of 5 Sqn – this livery was applied during a full exterior refurbishment at the start of 2022 to provide durable weather protection for external display. Previously the aircraft wore the colour-scheme & markings of 74 Sqn’s XR768 ‘A’ which were applied when the Lightning was initially refurbished & transported for display during the RAF’s Centenary celebrations at the RAF Museum, Cosford in 2018 (see photos).

The Rolls-Royce Avon engines have been removed, reducing the overall weight by 2.6 tons, but the jet-pipes & afterburner assemblies are installed, preserving the correct appearance of the aircraft.

1 each inert examples of Firestreak & Red Top missiles, the principle interception armament for the Lightning are included & are correctly mounted on the aircraft. Protective engine intake & jet-pipe cover-blanks are included.

The cockpit has not been restored & needs to be refurbished. The correct Martin Baker Mk.4 ejection seat is installed, the side consoles are mostly complete & more than half of the original cockpit instruments are installed or included for installation. The control stick is installed, but the stick top/grip is absent. The cockpit canopy is correctly mounted & articulates for opening.

To facilitate transport, the airframe has been modified by cutting each wing 10cm outside the fuselage skin & installing discreet ‘fish-plate’ mountings for simplified wing attachment/de-mounting. This modification permits the aircraft to be disassembled for transport without separating the fuselage. With removal of the wings, horizontal stabilisers & tail fin, the aircraft can be transported by road without ‘wide-load’ restrictions.

* PLEASE NOTE – Ownership of ZF580 is subject to caveats applied by BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd at the time of the original disposal of the aircraft from service. These caveats will continue to apply subsequent to the transfer of ownership. Please contact the vendor for details.

* The aircraft is located in storage at Newquay Airport, Cornwall & viewing is by appointment only.

* PLEASE NOTE – SALE PRICE WILL BE SUBJECT VAT, TO BE INCLUDED ON CAHC SALES INVOICE & TO BE PAID PRIOR TO COLLECTION. VAT REGISTRATION NO. 228628194