The Lightning was a high performance supersonic interceptor designed to defend Britain against nuclear armed bombers. They began entering service in 1960 and were phased out between 1974 and June 1988.

The first operational version of the Lightning was the F.1.

Only 28 were produced before production moved on to more advanced versions. Most served with 74 Squadron from June 1960s before being dispersed to smaller units for other uses.
The first Lightning F.1s to enter service were a handful that went to Air Fighting Development Squadron of the Central Fighter Establishment in December 1959.

There they were used to develop tactics for the new fighter including weapons development, missile trails and high level interception techniques.

This model represents Lightning F.1 XM137 in service with the Air Fighting Development Squadron at Coltishall in 1961.

Trumpeter 1/72 kit with Modeldecal decals. Completed in April 2009.