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.

Although 50 were ordered only 28 were produced before production moved on to more advanced versions.

Most Lightning F.1s served with 74 Squadron in the early 1960s before being dispersed for other uses and most that survived were scrapped in the mid 1960s.

Many early Lightnings spent some time at 60 Maintenance Unit where they were repaired or stored. The unit also had several serviceable Lightnings over time for use by its test pilots

This model represents Lightning F.1 XM144 during 1967 when it was allocated to 60 Maintenance Unit, RAF, where it was known as ‘Golden Arrow 1′.

Trumpeter 1/72 kit with Modeldecal decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in March 2008.