The English Electric Lightning

For my generation (b 1956) this was the jet fighter. Every schoolboy knew what it was because even had we not seen photographs of it, the Airfix kit* was available in model shops, newsagents and sub post offices every where. It looked like death abroad and we knew that those who flew them could handle them. Taken to the Biggin Hill airshow sometime in the early / mid sixties I still recall its awe inspiring power. Bored with the chatter of adults in the refreshment tent I noticed that the cups and spoons were rattling very gently in the saucers. This went on for what seemed like an age while the adults, oblivious, chattered on. Eventually someone noticed and drew attention to the phenomenon. We all trooped outside and scanned the skies, and the chatterers were reduced to gibbering incoherence as a Lightning flew up and over 'The Bump' at little more than tree-top height, tearing the sky apart with its searing exhaust. Some seconds after it disappeared from view it was seen climbing vertically into the clouds, and then it was gone.

I don't think anyone had any doubt that our airspace and our sovereignty were secure.

*


(Taken from here)

Addendum: A Series 2 kit cost 2/6 when I was a boy.