Video: Want To Fly A Lightning, And Take Your Own Thunder With You?

 The English Electric Lightning is a truly remarkable Mach 2 jet fighter from the U.K. that originated in the late 50's and remained in service until the 80's. The unique over-and-under twin engine design definitely set it apart from your ordinary fighter, and capabilities like being the first ever to supercruise (fly supersonic without afterburners) and the ability to climb at 50,000 feet per minute are pretty much astounding. Possibly even more impressive is the airplane's ability to fly while extremely campy 1960's music is played in the background... it just doesn't seem possible! And yet, there's a lot of that going on in this old promo film from the Central Office of Information for the Air Ministry. It's both weird and extremely cool stuff.

 My favorite line from the film is: Want to fly a Lightning, and take your own thunder with you? It's at 4:18. Enjoy.

Video screenshot showing the English Electric Lightning's unique planform