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 Lightning F.2 was externally similar to the earlier F.1A but had internal improvements including a fully variable re-heat system and upgraded avionics.

The first one flew on 11 July 1961 and 44 were produced.

They were flown by 19 and 92 Squadrons and 31 were later remanufactured as Lightning F.2As.

No 92 Squadron converted to Lightning F.2s at RAF Leconfield in March 1963 and was operational by August. It was the RAF’s premier aerobatic team in 1965.

In 1968 the squadron moved to Gutersloh in Germany where it later converted to Lightning F.2As.

This model represents Lightning F.2 XN790 of 92 Squadron, RAF, Leconfield in 1964.

Trumpeter 1/72 kit with Modeldecal decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in June 2009.