Progress on the English Electric Canberra was the main topic of a report
written by W E W 'Teddy' Petter on June 17, 1948, but a final paragraph
headed 'High Speed Fighter' said, 'Requirements for a high speed fighter
are being sent to us ... There would probably be two or three prototypes
attached to a successful design and a reasonable chance of production
orders. Supersonic speeds would be required for short periods.' This
marked the beginning of the effort leading to production of the
legendary Lightning fighter. English Electric Lightning Genesis and
Projects examines how that effort evolved - focusing on the procurement
process and the factors that drove decisions about the aircraft
configuration and its weapon system. In particular, author Tony Wilson
looks at how other procurement programmes influenced choices about the
Lightning for good or ill.
Between English Electric project numbers P1 and P34 there were 15
project numbers associated with the Lightning. Some refer to development
steps in the aircraft's core programme but others were studies to extend
the aircraft's capabilities. These designs are explored too along with
proposed developments that were never given 'P' numbers.